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Kirkland Expands European Antitrust Team With Four-Partner Cleary Hire

By  |  May 18, 2026
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Kirkland & Ellis has added four competition lawyers from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in a move that significantly expands its antitrust bench in Europe, according to a statement issued by the firm.

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    The incoming group is led by Robbert Snelders, one of Brussels’ best-known EU competition lawyers, who spent more than three decades at Cleary after joining the firm in 1992. Snelders previously held a leadership role within Cleary’s antitrust practice across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His practice covers merger clearance matters across multiple jurisdictions, cartel investigations, dominance cases and related court proceedings, according to a statement.

    Joining him in Brussels is Thomas Graf, another senior Cleary lawyer who built his career at the firm after arriving in 2000. Graf advises on competition, regulatory and intellectual property matters and has represented major technology companies, including Google, in major proceedings before European regulators and courts, per a statement.

    Kirkland has also recruited two younger partners from Cleary as part of the expansion. Conor Opdebeeck-Wilson will join the firm’s Brussels office, where his work includes merger reviews and compliance programs for technology clients. Henry Mostyn is set to join in London, bringing experience in behavioural competition matters, particularly abuse of dominance cases involving digital markets, according to a statement.

    Read more: Kirkland & Ellis Adds Antitrust Lawyer

    The appointments come as global law firms continue to compete for top antitrust talent in Brussels, one of Europe’s most important regulatory hubs. Several US and UK firms have recently increased their investment in EU competition work, with firms such as Paul Hastings and Vinson & Elkins making strategic moves in the market over the past year.

    Kirkland launched its Brussels office in 2021, and the location has been dedicated entirely to competition work since its opening. The latest additions further strengthen the firm’s European regulatory offering, according to a statement.

    “Robbert, Thomas, Henry and Conor are market-leaders for high-stakes EU, UK and global merger control, cartel and unilateral conduct matters as well as in the growing field of digital regulation,” said Jon Ballis, Kirkland’s executive committee chairman.

    “Their experience significantly complements and enhances our strong existing antitrust team in London and Brussels.”

    Matthew Elliott, a member of Kirkland’s executive committee, also welcomed the hires.

    “Robbert, Thomas, Henry and Conor are welcome additions to our European practice, bringing experience that complements our existing capabilities,” Elliott said.

    “Their behavioural antitrust, litigation and digital regulatory expertise enhances our ability to deliver antitrust advice to clients as part of our wider, market-leading global platform.”

    Source: Non Billable