Linklaters competition partner Carsten Grave has decided to remain with the magic circle law firm nearly two months after it was announced that he would join Mayer Brown's practice in Cologne.

The news comes after the US law firm last month announced the closure of its Berlin and Cologne offices, with Mayer Brown set to launch an office in Duesseldorf at the start of 2012.

Mayer Brown's existing Cologne and Berlin offices will then merge into the new Duesseldorf practice, leaving the firm with two offices in Germany, Frankfurt and Duesseldorf.

Cologne partner Christof Gaudig will relocate to the city to take up the role of German global integration partner, with responsibility for managing the relationship between Mayer Brown's national practice and its international network.

It is understood that the office shake-up at Mayer Brown was not discussed with Grave during his negotiations with the firm. As a result, he reversed his decision to join the US firm and will remain in Linklaters' Duesseldorf arm as a partner.

Grave specialises in European and German competition law, including merger control, public enterprises and state aid. He advises on the antitrust law aspects of M&A and distribution systems, as well as antitrust-related litigation.

Linklaters' success in retaining the well-regarded antitrust specialist will be welcomed after the City firm lost high- profile Brussels-based competition partner Alec Burnside to Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Mayer Brown commented: "We are naturally disappointed with [Grave's] decision, but wish him well for his future."