Steptoe & Johnson has hired senior international arbitration specialist Ray Werbicki from Masons as the US firm moves to boost its contentious City practice.

Werbicki, who was Masons’ head of arbitration, joins the US firm as a partner. He is the second partner to leave Masons since the firm voted through its upcoming merger with Pinsents in September, following the recent departure of construction partner Ron Nobbs to Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.