Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has boosted its international arbitration offering with a hire from U.S. rival Shearman & Sterling.

London partner Mark McNeill will join litigation powerhouse Quinn Emanuel's New York office after 12 years at Shearman.

He joined Shearman in 2007 as counsel and was initially based in its Paris office. He was promoted to partner in its London base three years later.

Prior to joining Shearman, McNeill worked in the office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State. He is admitted to practise in New York, Paris and England and Wales.

Quinn managing partner John B. Quinn described McNeill as "a seasoned arbitration specialist with tremendous experience and insight into the wide array of issues that routinely arise in cross-border disputes".

A Shearman & Sterling spokesperson confirmed McNeill's departure and said the firm wished him all the best for the future.

Quinn has made several expansive moves in recent months.

At the start of this year, it launched a long-awaited patent litigation practice in London with the hire of a senior associate from Bird & Bird.

At the time, Quinn London co-managing partner Richard East told Legal Week that the firm also wants to grow beyond litigation in the City, with ambitions to add on specialisms in competition law and white-collar crime, as well as expanding its arbitration offering, which could see it adding to its 18-strong City partnership.

In April, Quinn hired London competition partner Elaine Whiteford from U.S. rival Covington & Burling.