US litigation firm Boies Schiller & Flexner has hired Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) global head of public international law Dominic Roughton for its London office.

Roughton specialises in the energy and mining sectors, and has previously worked on international boundary disputes, sovereignty, treaty negotiations and interpretation and investor state dispute resolution procedures.

His hire follows the departure last month of Wendy Miles QC, who left Boies Schiller to join Debevoise & Plimpton as a partner in its global international dispute resolution group.

Boies Schiller London head Natasha Harrison said: "Dominic's hire adds further depth to our international arbitration offering and international disputes practice in London. He is an absolute leader in the field, and his specialisation in public international law is hugely beneficial as we are undertaking an increasing amount of work in that space."

The specialist litigation firm opened a London office in 2013 with the hire of litigation partner Harrison from Bingham McCutchen to head its City base.

Since forming in 1997, Boies Schiller has taken on a number of high-profile cases in the US, with chairman David Boies representing Al Gore in the dispute surrounding the 2000 presidential election, while other high profile clients include Terra Firma chief Guy Hands.

In 2015, the firm reported reported profit per partner (PEP) higher than $3m (£2m) for the second straight year, while its revenue reached $380m (£264m).

Roughton will be replaced in his role at HSF by New York partner Laurence Shore, who will be assisted by partners Christian Leathley and Andrew Cannon.

His departure is the latest in a recent run of partner exits from the Anglo-Australian firm.

In the past year, more than 20 partners have left across London and Asia-Pacific. High profile exits have included London global energy co-head John Balsdon, who quit for Latham & Watkins in December, advocacy head Ian Gatt QC to Stewarts Law, London finance partner Nick Bradbury to Allen & Overy, and banking heavyweight Malcolm Hitching to Ropes & Gray.