US firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has recruited a Mayer Brown antitrust partner in Brussels.

Andres Font Galarza, who started at Gibson Dunn today (12 March), is also a former senior official of the European Commission's directorate general for competition, a role he held for 13 years until he joined Mayer Brown's Brussels antitrust and competition practice in 2008.

Galarza will focus on antitrust and competition law at Gibson Dunn and will act for European Commission clients. His hire takes headcount in the Brussels office to a total of three partners and three associates.

Gibson Dunn managing partner Ken Doran said: "Our antitrust and competition practice is increasingly global, and Andres will add to our depth and expertise in assisting our clients before the European Commission.

Galarza said: "Gibson Dunn has one of the best reputations in the antitrust arena. The firm's superb antitrust practice and its renowned litigation platform will be of great benefit to my clients."

Gibson Dunn, which has nine offices throughout the US, has an international bases in Brussels, Paris, Munich, Singapore, Dubai, London and Sao Paulo.

The firm, which posted rises in both revenue and profits for 2009, also recently made a rare City lateral hire, bringing in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer corporate partner Jeff Roberts in London.