DLA Piper has hired the European Commission’s top trade negotiator at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Miriam Gonzalez, who will be based in London, joins the firm’s EU competition and trade practice office as a senior consultant. She previously served as a senior adviser in the cabinets of EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and that of former Commissioner Chris Patten. She specialised in telecoms negotiations at the WTO and led the EU negotiating team for energy, postal, construction and information services.