Ashurst has lost two partners to Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson, marking the US firm’s first foray into the London real estate market.

Partners Darren Rogers and Patrick Williams are joining Fried Frank’s City office, just a year after joining Ashurst.

The pair joined Ashurst in April last year from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM). Rogers is the senior of the two, having been made a partner at KWM in 2010. Williams was one of KWM’s 36 partner promotions in 2015.

Fried Frank has been on the lookout for real estate capability, after adding a number of practice areas to its London office.

The firm last year launched a restructuring practice in the City, with Mayer Brown partner Ashley Katz responsible for the group.

Fried Frank saw a changing of the guard earlier this year when London head Graham White announced his retirement. Funds partner Mark Mifsud has now taken over and is helping to  develop the firm’s renewed London strategy.

Ashurst meanwhile has seen few departures in London this year – a marked change to last year when the firm saw a number of partner exits.