Sidley Austin has bolstered its international trade and dispute resolution practice with the hire of high-profile US Trade Representative (USTR) general counsel James Mendenhall.

Mendenhall, who has been at the USTR since 2001, joined the firm's Washington DC office as a partner earlier this month after two years as general counsel at the government body.

He has been replaced at the USTR by veteran trade lawyer Warren Maruyama, who returns to the body – where he served as associate general counsel in the 1980s – after 13 years as a partner at Hogan & Hartson.

Sidley Washington managing partner Daniel Price said in a statement: "Mendenhall is a respected leader in the international trade community. As a former general counsel at the USTR, Jim brings vast international trade and policy experience that will be of significant value to our clients."

Sidley Austin's international trade and dispute resolution practice numbers over 50 professionals across the firm's Brussels, Geneva and Washington offices.