Clifford Chance has hired Winston & Strawn partner J. Laurens Wilkes as a partner and global head of infrastructure disputes as the firm strengthens its arbitration and litigation practices and expands in the Houston legal market, the firm said Monday.

Wilkes will join the UK-based Clifford Chance’s energy, natural resources and infrastructure practice in Houston after more than two years at Winston. Wilkes has more than 20 years of experience advising US and international clients on infrastructure, construction and energy projects.

Clifford Chance is also bringing aboard Caitlin Gernert from O’Melveny & Myers as a partner in the Houston office …