2Birds hire gives SJ Berwin Dutch nous

SJ Berwin has beefed up its core EU and competition practice to offer Dutch expertise through the hire of Bird & Bird's head of competition in Brussels.

Wilko Van Weert will join the silver circle firm in the New Year. He moves across from Bird & Bird, where he has led the EU, competition law and regulatory practice in Brussels since 2003.

The hire bolsters SJ Berwin's existing key EU and competition practice, which covers German, French, Spanish, Italian and Belgian law, by adding a Dutch capability. The practice is a key priority in the firm's European growth strategy.

Head of EU and competition Stephen Kon said the firm now had EU and competition expertise in all of its European offices covering the key jurisdictions.

Bird & Bird associate Indiana de Seze will also join the Brussels office.

Van Weert, a specialist in contentious and non-contentious Dutch and EU competition law, has also previously worked as senior counsel to the Dutch Competition Authority and the European Commission.