Allen & Overy (A&O) has boosted its nascent Washington DC base with a senior antitrust hire from the US Department of Justice (DoJ).

John Terzaken, formerly the DoJ director of criminal enforcement in its antitrust division, is joining A&O's nine-partner Washington practice from 1 August as a partner and head of its US cartel defence practice.

Terzaken will advise domestic and international clients on antitrust criminal investigations and litigation, working closely with colleagues across Europe, Asia and Australia.

The hire comes as part of an effort by A&O to boost its capacity to represent antitrust defendants in multi-forum cases involving parallel, simultaneous government investigations and multiple civil actions.

A&O's Washington practice launched last July with a team hire from O'Melveny & Myers.

US antitrust head Elaine Johnston said: "We are committed to growing our antitrust practice, establishing a significant antitrust practice in our Washington office, and developing a substantial presence in the US. Hiring John is an important step in our strategy. We will also continue to consider other lateral hires as we expand."

The hire comes after A&O added two new partners to its global antitrust practice in its annual promotions round this year, with Jurgen Schindler made up in Brussels and Marta Sendrowicz in Warsaw.