Skadden Snags Rivals Global Antitrust Head

Skadden Arps has scooped up the global antitrust head of rival Clifford Chance , LegalWeek is reporting. Simon Baxter, who resigned June 3 after serving 10 years as the head of Clifford Chance’s antitrust practice, will join U.S.-based Skadden’s Brussels office on Wednesday.

According to LegalWeek, Baxter advised corporations at the European Union and national levels on mergers, joint ventures, distribution systems and licensing. He also advises in relation to media, aeronautics and medical sectors.

Baxter told LegalWeek he resigned from Clifford Chance simply because it was time for new blood in the position.

“CC’s competition practice is in very good shape and I thought was good timing to hand over to somebody else,” Baxter said. “At that same time Skadden approached me and for me this move is an exciting prospect as Skadden has a first-class antitrust practice which they are keen to grow globally.”

Baxter becomes just the fourth partner at Skadden’s Brussels office. He is joined by two counsel and 10 associates.

Skadden is a New York City based firm with 2,000 lawyers in offices around the world including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Toronto, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Beijing, Hong Kong and Sydney.