Linklaters appoints FTC competition head for antitrust position

Linklaters has recruited Jeff Schmidt, bureau of competition director at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), for its New York offices.

Linklaters has recruited Jeff Schmidt, bureau of competition director at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), for its New York offices.

The move comes after just over two years in which Schmidt was the competition director at the FTC, and gives him the responsibility of Linklaters' antitrust work.

Speaking about the prestigious position to be taken up, Linklaters' competition and antitrust chief Gerwin van Gerven said: "As competition enforcement is increasingly coordinated globally among the major agencies, Jeff's insider's view from one of the world's leading antitrust jurisdictions will be of great assistance to our clients."

Mr Schmidt joined the FTC as deputy director of the bureau of competition in early 2005, before being appointed director.

Mr. Schmidt said of his new role: "It has been a privilege to serve as director of the bureau of competition but it is the right time for me to return to private practice.

Linklaters' international footprint offers an exciting challenge and opportunity, given the importance of cross-border M&A and globalization of antitrust enforcement."