The London arm of Pillsbury Winthrop has hired a top-ranking e-commerce partner from Osborne Clarke’s (OC) Reading office to start up a new e-commerce and technology practice as the top 30 US firm ramps up its ambitious plans for UK expansion.

Ashley Winton started on Monday (6 January) and becomes the first UK-qualified partner in the office after previous UK-qualified partner John White left for Baker Botts last year.