Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge is continuing its push in the City, launching its second new practice area in London in under six months.

The Boston-based law firm is entering the European competition market with the hire of Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) competition partner Becket McGrath.

McGrath, who joined BLP as a partner in 2005, is due to start work with Edwards Angell on Monday (2 November), and will lead the new UK practice.

Prior to his time with BLP, McGrath was a branch director of the media, sport and information division at the Office of Fair Trading. His practice covers all aspects of EU and UK competition law with a particular focus on behavioural issues, disputes, merger control and compliance.

Edwards Angell London office head Laurence Harris commented: "We have been keen for some time to develop EU and UK capability alongside our US antitrust practice, and Becket allows us to offer a strong international competition practice to our clients. As we recruit more commercial lawyers, competition becomes more important."

Since its entry into London two years ago via a merger with Kendall Freeman, Edwards Angell has grown significantly and, with the hire of McGrath, will have 25 partners in the City.

In June the firm launched a private equity practice with the hire of David Ramm from legacy firm Campbell Hooper, while in September it brought in the head of Howrey's UK trademark group, Nick Bolter.

This followed the March hire of an intellectual property team headed up by partner John Olsen from Field Fisher Waterhouse.