Fulbright & Jaworski has secured its first lateral partner hire in London for more than a year, with the US firm bringing in McGrigors competition head Rod Lambert.

Lambert joins the disputes practice in Fulbright's City arm.

The appointment comes as the US firm prepares for an increase in large enforcement actions relating to competition violation. Lambert, who prior to joining McGrigors worked at Scottish rival HBJ Gately Wareing, has led the defence team on the first three dawn raids under the Competition Act and has advised on compliance issues and merger control in the oil and gas sector, among other areas.

Fulbright London head Lista Cannon said: "Rod's experience will complement our transnational investigations practice and assist with the increase we are seeing in competition-related litigation."

"Given our longstanding representation of the energy industry, Rod's knowledge of the industry was another of the many qualities that made him a great fit for Fulbright."

Fulbright's most recent last lateral partner hire in the City came in February 2008, with the addition of disputes partner Melanie Ryan from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. In March last year the firm recruited Michael McMillen from Dechert to lead its global Islamic finance practice, with McMillen splitting his time between Dubai and New York.

Earlier this year Fulbright made up 13 new partners globally; however, the bulk were added across the US offices, with none in the capital.