Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has opened an office in Seattle, bringing the firm's global total to 18.

Last year the litigation specialist firm launched offices in Brussels and Houston and the addition of Seattle takes Quinn Emanuel's US office number up to eight.

The Seattle office will be led by trade secrets practice group chair John Neukom, who is relocating from San Francisco to take on the role.

Also joining the new office is former US attorney Jenny Durkan who will sit as global chair of the firm's cyber law and privacy group.

Durkan, who is joining the firm as a partner, was a member of the attorney general's advisory committee, and chaired its sub-committee on cybercrime and intellectual property enforcement.

Founding partner John Quinn said: "We were attracted by Seattle's booming bio-tech and high-tech markets. Jay is one of our best young partners with an enviable record of success in IP disputes. The fact that he and Jenny are both Seattle natives with deep roots in the community is an added plus."

The rapidly expanding litigation firm launched a London competition practice in October last year with the hire of Boris Bronfentrinker from litigation boutique Hausfeld & Co.