Hogan Lovells has added Charles "Chuck" Loughlin as a partner to its global regulatory practice in Washington, D.C., from the Federal Trade Commission.

Loughlin has been at the FTC since 2015, most recently serving as the agency's chief trial counsel. He said he was eager to be headed back to private practice as a member of Hogan Lovells' antitrust, competition, and economic regulation (ACER) group.

"Hogan has got such a great rapport and practice, it was really an easy choice for me to join," Loughlin said.

Loughlin previously was an antitrust partner at Baker Botts and Howrey before entering public service. In his government role, his new firm noted in a release, Loughlin oversaw or helped lead trials in FTC actions involving Impax Labs, Staples/Office Depot and 1-800 Contacts.

Loughlin said he always expected to return to private practice and began looking several months ago at different opportunities.

"We have been actively looking to add a trial lawyer with Chuck's stature and experience to meet the needs of our clients," said Edith Ramirez, co-head of the firm's ACER group, in a statement. "His private practice success and trial experience for the FTC is a hard combination to find. He will make an outstanding addition to our practice."

Alice Valder Curran, leader of the firm's global regulatory practice, said in a statement that Loughlin's public service and private sector experience would be a "major asset" for the firm and its clients.

Loughlin left the FTC on Aug. 30 and began work at Hogan Lovells on Monday. Asked whether others at FTC would follow him to Hogan Lovells, Loughlin said, "I don't know the answer to that; I would love it if they did."