McDermott Will & Emery has taken over the bulk of the respected competition and trade specialist boutique Stanbrook & Hooper as the Chicago giant beefs up its Brussels presence.

The deal, which goes live on 14 February, sees the 1,000-lawyer US firm absorb a nine-lawyer team, headed by founder and name partner Clive Stan-brook QC and including Philip Bentley QC and partner Frank Schoneuld.