Allen & Overy (A&O) has appointed Peter McDonald from Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) as its new head of antitrust and competition in Australia.

McDonald, who will be based in Sydney, joined legacy Freehills' Melbourne-based competition group in 2003 from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, where he worked as a senior officer. He was made up as partner at HSF in 2009.

McDonald has advised mining company BHP Billiton, manufacturer DuluxGroup, petroleum brand Caltex, healthcare group BUPA, TRUenergy, now known as EnergyAustralia, National Australia Bank, energy company Chevron, chemicals supplier Orica and oil and gas producer Woodside.