Allen & Overy (A&O) has bulked up its Sydney office with the hire of Dave Poddar from domestic firm Mallesons Stephen Jacques.

Poddar marks the eighteenth partner hire for the firm since it opened its Australian arm in February this year.

He is set to join the firm's global competition group next year.

Poddar has been a partner at Mallesons since 1998 and has worked in the competition and antitrust field for over 20 years.

Grant Fuzi, managing partner of A&O Australia, said: "Dave is a highly respected practitioner and his joining is particularly important to our clients.

"With his experience, we will have the capability to provide top level advice on merger clearances, access issues and general competition matters, as well as cartel advice, which is particularly important after the recent introduction of criminal cartel laws in Australia."

A&O entered Australia earlier this year setting up offices in both Sydney and Perth with 17 partners, 14 of whom came from national firm Clayton Utz.

The two offices cover energy, mining and natural resources; finance; infrastructure; investment funds; M&A and private equity; tax; and telecoms, media and technology.