US firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has poached the entire London and Moscow partnership of rival firm Coudert Brothers, it has emerged.

Orrick said the move of 11 partners - who specialise in areas ranging from property to cross-border banking - would aid the firm's plans for developing its European practice by strengthening its London position and giving it an opening into Russia. The firm already has offices in Paris, Milan and Rome as well as the City.


The partners include Dean Poster, former head of Coudert's corporate and commercial group and manager of its London office, and John Evans, who led the firm's employment practice in the UK.


Adrian Harris, head of Orrick's London office, said: 'We are expanding our expertise into new areas, including arbitration and commercial real estate, which gives us a broader base from which to serve our clients.'


Orrick chairman Ralph Baxter added: 'Expanding our European practice is among our highest priorities. These moves will broaden and deepen our London office and make us a new and important player in the fast-growing Russian legal market.'


Coudert Brothers declined to comment.