Washington DC-based intellectual property (IP) firm Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner has become the latest US outfit to launch in London, after deciding to close its Brussels office.

The City office – which officially opened this week – is headed by partner Anthony Tridico (pictured), who relocated from Brussels to London alongside fellow partner Martin Hyden.

Finnegan said a third partner – possibly a lateral hire – will join in January, and that the office is looking to recruit around 20 patent lawyers practising both US and English law.

The firm's Brussels office will also close in the early part of next year, as Finnegan transfers its European operations to London.

In Europe, the firm counts ConocoPhilips, Swiss Post and Tetra Pak among its list of clients.

"We are focused on the expansion of our European patent practice and having a strong presence in London is a definitive sign of our commitment to the market," commented Tridico in a statement.

"We have already hired new European patent attorneys who will be joining us in the coming weeks and months, and look forward to continued growth."

Tridico advices clients on both US and European law on a number of technical areas of IP law, including biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical sciences.

Hyden joined Finnegan in 2010 from Rouse & Co, where he was head of the firm's UK patents practice. He previously acted as IP department manager at various locations in the UK, US, Japan and France for current Finnegan client Schlumberger.

In addition to London, Finnegan has international offices in Shanghai, Tokyo and Taipei, and five offices in the US.

Other US firms to have set up shop in London in the last year include litigation heavyweight Boies Schiller & Flexner, Boston-headquartered Sullivan & Worcester and Butler Snow.