Ashurst has hired derivatives lawyer Julia Lu from Crowell & Moring in New York to strengthen its global markets practice.

Lu joins as a partner, bringing with her experience in distressed debt and structured credit, as well as derivatives. She advises clients including investment banks, broker-dealers, hedge funds and other financial institutions on both the transactional and regulatory aspects of trading and associated risk management issues.

Mike Logie, head of global markets (UK/US) at Ashurst, said: “[Lu’s] strong focus on credit derivatives, derivative financing structures and derivatives regulatory issues makes her a perfect addition to our team. Our Global Markets team brings together a network of leading derivatives and structured products specialists and Julia’s expertise will be key in contributing to the continued growth and success of our global derivatives practice.”

Lu was part of the Kibbe & Orbe team that was acquired by Crowell & Moring earlier this year. She spent roughly 18 years at the firm, including a seven-month secondment at Goldman Sachs where she was acting chief operating officer on the bank loan trading and syndication desk. Lu started her career as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell.

Sharon Kim, Ashurst’s New York office managing partner, said: “[Lu’s] background and in-depth understanding in US financial services, investment banks and investment funds will add great insight to our team. Julia is a great fit and will offer important expertise to NY-law driven mandates for our clients’ global businesses.”

Lu’s arrival follows the addition of securities partner Lloyd Harmetz, who joined the New York office earlier this month from Morrison & Foerster. 

Lu said: “[Ashurst] has a very strong reputation in derivatives in EMEA and APAC and I am thrilled for the opportunity to work alongside those teams and bring my expertise and experience in the US derivatives market to enhance our global derivatives offering.”

While MoFo lost Harmetz to Ashurst this month, it also gained an agency finance team from DLA Piper in Washington DC, including partners Greg Smith and Ann Lilienthal.

Other recent US finance moves include K&L Gates’ June hiring of crypto duo Andrew Hinkes and Justin Wales in Miami and Los Angeles from Carlton Fields to boost its US fintech practice.