Top US firms are planning to expand in London in 2010, with trainee, associate and partner positions expected to be up for grabs over the course of the year.

White & Case will bring in between 25 and 30 new associates in London this year, London executive partner Oliver Brettle told the Gazette. The firm will also boost its London trainee intake to a maximum of 35, having recruited 25 to 30 in recent years.

Brettle said that White & Case will expand in London ‘in a lower key and more conservative way than was the case in the run-up to the credit crunch’. He added that the firm might open one or two more international offices in 2010 to add to its existing network of 36.

Anthony Ward, London managing partner at Shearman & Sterling, said his firm will pursue its ‘long-term goal’ to strengthen its London corporate practice and will make ‘limited’ hires in its finance department.

‘London remains an important part of the global platform for us, and is an important jump-off point for investment banks doing business across Europe and into the Middle East,’ he said.

Michael Francies, London managing partner at Weil Gotshal & Manges, said the firm is planning ‘steady growth’ in London in disputes, finance and restructuring. He said it was ‘very focused on improving corporate and institutional relationships across jurisdictions’, adding that the firm has ‘a strong transactional base and we hope it will be less quiet this year’. Francies said the firm also plans to expand its Asia capability.

Drew Scott, London managing partner at Sidley Austin, said the London office is investing in dispute resolution, insurance and funds, as well as building on its existing regulatory teams to complement its transactional practices. Scott said that Sidley Austin plans to bring in new London partners over the course of 2010 and that the firm ‘keeps new practice areas under active consideration’.

White & Case employs 330 lawyers in London. Sidley Austin employs 136, Shearman & Sterling has 130, and Weil Gotshal & Manges has 115. Shearman plans to recruit around 12 trainees in 2010, Weil 10, and Sidley up to 10.