US intellectual property leader Howrey has launched a City competition practice with the hire of Lovells partner Tom McQuail, it was announced today (4 June).

McQuail, who joins Howrey with immediate effect, specialises in European Union and UK competition law.

He has been based in Brussels since qualifying in 1992, becoming a partner at Lovells in 1999. McQuail was managing partner of the City giant's Brussels office between 2003 and 2006.

The move continues a run of senior appointments by Howrey for its European practice. Last month the Washington DC-based firm took on Jean de Hauteclocque, name partner at French litigation boutique Hauteclocque Larroumet & Associes, as a partner in its Paris office. De Hauteclocque was also formerly of Lovells.

Commenting on the latest appointment, Howrey European competition head Trevor Soames said: "Since [Howrey's European practice] first opened in 2001, the firm has grown to more than eighty lawyers throughout Europe. "[McQuail's] managerial expertise will help Howrey grow its London-based competition practice at a time when private competition litigation in the UK is becoming a reality."