Incoming Herbert Smith chief David Gold has pledged to sustain the top 10 London firm’s international push, with the litigation veteran citing a fresh bid to bolster links with key US referral partners.

Herbert Smith currently has no formal alliance in the US, but has targeted referral work from New York litigation leaders Cravath Swaine & Moore, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison. Herbert Smith also has preferred firms in Los Angeles and Atlanta.