By Sara Merken

Nov 21 (Reuters) - London-founded law firm Linklaters is continuing to grow its U.S. team with the hire of Elena Rubinov, who was co-leader of infrastructure mergers and acquisitions at rival firm Mayer Brown.

Rubinov joined Linklaters in New York as head of U.S. infrastructure and private capital M&A. She advises on M&A and private equity deals in energy, infrastructure, power and utilities and other sectors, the firm said on Thursday.

Her clients have included U.S. utility firm Duke Energy, Canada's second-largest pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, French energy company Engie, and KKR affiliate Global Atlantic Financial Group, according to her Linklaters biography.

Last month Linklaters hired a group of four finance partners, including practice group leaders, from A&O Shearman. In January, a six-lawyer Shearman & Sterling M&A team jumped to Linklaters ahead of Shearman's merger with Allen & Overy. The group was led by George Casey, who now chairs Linklaters' corporate practice.

Rubinov practiced at Shearman with members of Casey's team earlier in her career, the firm said.

She was not immediately available for comment. A Mayer Brown spokesperson said the firm wishes her well.

Casey since joining Linklaters has co-led cross-border teams that advised Volkswagen on its joint venture with Rivian, and Rio Tinto on its planned $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium.

Linklaters said in reporting its financial results earlier this year that its U.S. market revenues had increased 24%.

UK-founded firms have also been expanding their U.S. presence through mergers. In addition to Allen & Overy's recent combination with New York-based Shearman, Herbert Smith Freehills said this month that it is planning to merge with U.S. firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel.