Sidley Austin has strengthened its London antitrust practice with the hire of former BT Global Services general counsel and commercial director Tim Cowen.

Cowen, who has joined Sidley as the third partner in the London antitrust practice, left BT in 2009 after 18 years with the company.

He was recently appointed to the panel of members of the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal and is the immediate past chairman of both the Competition Panel at the Confederation of British Industry and the International Association of Commercial and Contract Management.

Sidley Washington DC managing partner and member of the firm's executive committee Carter Phillips commented: "Few lawyers have the background that Tim brings, including deep regulatory and telecom experience, as well as contentious antitrust, corporate governance and strategic analysis for deals. His addition to our prominent international antitrust group further solidifies Sidley's ability to handle the world's largest antitrust issues and disputes."

Cowen said: "In my view, this was the only firm I wanted to join, as I have worked with Sidley lawyers, both on the same side and on the opposing side, over the years and this provides the opportunity to partner with Stephen Kinsella, who perfectly complements my approach to contentious antitrust issues."

Cowen was a former regulatory lawyer at Lovells before joining BT Ignite as head of legal in 1991. Ten years later he became general counsel of successor organisation BT Global Services and subsequently took on the role of commercial director.

Sidley's global antitrust practice currently comprises 95 lawyers, 44 of whom are partners.