Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is set to boost its Brussels office with the hire of Clifford Chance (CC) global antitrust head Simon Baxter.

Baxter, who became a partner with CC in 1998, resigned earlier this month (3 June) and will join the US firm on Wednesday (16 June).

Baxter has been based in CC's Brussels office, advising corporations at EU and national levels on mergers, joint ventures, distribution systems and licensing. He also has experience in advising in relation to the media, aeronautics and medical sectors.

Commenting on the move, Baxter told Legal Week that he felt it was time to hand over the reigns after heading CC's global antitrust group for around 10 years.

He said: "CC's competition practice is in very good shape and I thought it was good timing to hand over to somebody else. At that same time Skadden approached me and for me this move is an exciting prospect as Skadden has a first-class antitrust practice which they are keen to grow globally."

Skadden's firmwide antitrust practice head Shepard Goldfein added: "His arrival will confirm our position as one of the finest EU antitrust teams."

Baxter will be the only the fourth partner in Skadden's Brussels office, which also has two counsel and 10 associates. Meanwhile, CC will have two competition partners in Brussels and around six partners advising on Belgian commercial matters.

CC's Brussels head of European competition and regulation Tony Reeves said: "We thank Simon for his contribution to our antitrust group and wish him well for his future career."

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