Hammonds has ushered in the new year with a brace of promotions in a bid to shore up its embattled Brussels office.

The promotions, which were announced today (5 January), see David O'Keeffe installed as the new head of the national firm's UK-based competition and European Union (EU) practice.

Irish-qualified O'Keeffe, an EU counsel with Hammonds for nine years, replaces former competition head Jose Rivas in the role.

Rivas, who joined McDermott Will & Emery in December, quit the firm earlier last September alongside European law partner Edward Borovikov.

O'Keeffe – who specialises in European law, regeneration, state aid and public procurement issues – will now divide his time between the firm's offices in Brussles and the UK.

Hammonds has also promoted EU and German competition law specialist Tom Pick to its partnership. Dual-qualified Pick, who is currently based in Brussels, is a member of the German Bar and will continue to work in tandem with the firm's Berlin office.

The news comes after Hammonds last year persuaded Brussels chief Konstantinos Adamantopoulos to remain at the firm despite earlier handing in his resignation alongside Rivas and Borovikov.

Adamantopoulos commented: "This is an exciting development for the team and we look forward to working with David on enhancing our competition law practice to strengthen links with the rest of the firm. I expect David and Tom to continue to be involved in a number of high-profile cases next year."