Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has launched a UK employment practice with the hire of Ashurst partner James Cox as the US firm continues to expand its City capabilities. Cox, who becomes the 13th partner in the firms London office, has experience in contentious and non-contentious labour and employment matters and spent nine years with Ashurst. The move follows the Los Angeles firm launching a UK litigation practice with the hire of Clifford Chance partner Philip Rocher last year and takes the office's headcount to 45 lawyers up 58% in the last 12 months. Gibson Dunns co-London head, Andrew Thomas, said: "The employment capability will greatly enhance our corporate and private equity capability as well as being a useful resource for our litigation group." 800-lawyer Gibson Dunns London office now has a total of 58 fee earners.