Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has launched a litigation practice in the US with a trio of top-level hires from US firms Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Covington & Burling.

The magic circle firm’s New York office has recruited Willkie Farr’s Benito Romano and Covington’s Aaron Marcu, both of whom were the heads of the white-collar defence practice groups at their respective firms. In addition, litigation partner Adam Siegel also joins from Covington.