Allen & Overy (A&O) has boosted its Paris office with the hire of a six-lawyer team from Clifford Chance (CC).

The team is led by Marcus Billam, who has been a partner with CC since 2000. He joins A&O along with counsel Frederic Jungels, senior consultant Catherine Maison-Blanche and three associates.

Billam will take on a senior role at A&O, having been handed membership of A&O's Paris strategic advisory committee.

Billam specialises in M&A with a particular focus on listed companies as well as advising on leveraged and management buyouts, shareholder agreements and joint ventures.

A&O has also strengthened its Paris office with a partner relocation, with Brussels-based partner Michel Struys joining the Paris competition team.

Struys' competition practice includes advising on anti-competitive behaviour, antitrust litigation, EU internal market and trade issues, life sciences, merger control, M&A, public procurement, regulatory investigations, white collar defence and state aid.

A&O Paris managing partner Jean-Claude Rivalland commented: "The arrival of Marcus, his team and Michel further strengthens A&O's position as one of the major players in the Paris marketplace."

"We are keen to provide greater assistance to major French companies and advise them on their strategic operations. Where appropriate, we will continue to look for opportunities to further expand the Paris offering during the course of the year."