07 January 2009

William Blumenthal is to join Clifford Chance's mergers and acquisitions and litigations and dispute resolution practices, the firm has announced.

Mr Blumenthal - who was formerly general counsel for the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - will chair the firm's US antitrust group as part of his new legal job, a position which will involve him advising clients on a variety of antitrust law issues.

Global head of Clifford Chance's antitrust group Simon Baxter said the appointment - along with that of former EU Commission general counsel Michel Petite early last year - provides a clear indication of the firm's intent to boost its US antitrust practice to rival those it has in place in Europe and Asia.

"The distinction of having the former general counsels of both the FTC and EU Commission … will mean we can offer clients unique and valuable insights into the policies and practices of both agencies," he explained.

Clifford Chance has also made changes to its European operations, electing Jan ter Harr as its new management committee representative for western Europe.