Linklaters has strengthened its US white-collar and investigations practice with the hire of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr partner Doug Davison in Washington DC.

Prior to joining WilmerHale in 2001, Davison held various roles at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including acting as counsel to the SEC chairman and serving as branch chief of the SEC's division of enforcement.

Davison advises clients on investigations and enforcement matters in relation to a range of US agencies including the SEC, Department of Justice (DOJ), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

His hire is part of a concerted push by the magic circle firm to build its white-collar and investigations practice in the US. In March, the firm recruited Matt Axelrod from the DOJ, where he was principal associate deputy attorney general.

Last year, the firm hired Adam Lurie from Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft to head its litigation and government investigations practice in Washington DC, as well as Baker McKenzie's global head of white-collar crime Doug Tween, who joined the firm's New York office.

Dispute resolution head Michael Bennett said: "Linklaters is ideally positioned to handle complex cross-border investigations by US and international regulators because of our integrated network of offices and practices around the world.

"Doug's hire emphasises our commitment and global ambition to further strengthen our SEC and regulatory enforcement capabilities. His experience will allow us to continue to deliver high-quality complex advice to our clients."

Lurie added: "I have known Doug for many years, have seen him defend leading clients, and know first-hand that he will bring tremendous value to our clients both in the US and across the globe, by helping them navigate the increasingly complex and evolving regulatory environment."

Linklaters recently appointed corporate partner Tom Shropshire to head up its US practice, following the retirement of Scott Bowie just two years into a four-year leadership term.

Shropshire, a US corporate specialist, will split his time between London and New York, while continuing to work with clients. He has also taken Bowie's seat on the magic circle firm's executive committee.

Linklaters recently posted solid financial results for 2016-17, with profit per equity partner up 7.8% to £1.568m and revenue rising almost 10% to £1.44bn.