Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP announced this Tuesday that competition/antitrust lawyer Isabel Rooms will join the firm as a partner in the Brussels office, and tax lawyer Matthew (Matt) Brigham will join the firm as counsel in the New York office.

“We are delighted to welcome Isabel and Matt to our firm,” said Cleary Gottlieb Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang. “Cleary’s market-leading international antitrust and tax practices are key elements to our client offering, and their arrival will enhance the strength and breadth of our services.”

“Given the increasing complexity of corporate transactions and constantly evolving regulatory regimes around the world, the Cleary team distinguishes itself by remaining at the forefront of critical issues and helping our clients navigate them successfully.”

Isabel joins Cleary from Linklaters where she was also a partner having previously worked in London, New York and Brussels. She has nearly 15 years of experience advising clients on EU and Belgium competition law across a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, FMCG, aviation, energy and basic industries.

Her practice covers merger control, abuse of dominance and cartel practices with a particular focus on multi-jurisdictional transactions. Her past experience includes representing clients across various European and international jurisdictions, including the European Commission and the Belgian Competition Authority.

“Isabel brings a wealth of experience to our team. She has an excellent practice built on prominent multi-jurisdictional merger control and complex behavioral cases,” said Robbert Snelders, a Cleary competition partner in Brussels.

Robbert continued: “Cleary is recognized as one of the leading global firms in the area of competition/antitrust law. Our global team is instructed on some of the most sensitive and business-critical matters in the market. Isabel’s arrival will enhance both our Brussels and global offering.”

“Cleary has a stellar reputation for advising on some of the largest and most sophisticated antitrust matters in the world,” said Isabel. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the firm’s outstanding global practice and working with this prominent team.”

Matthew (Matt) Brigham comes to Cleary from Linklaters where he was a counsel in New York. Matt has more than 10 years of experience advising on broad range of international and domestic tax matters and has expertise in complex capital markets, financing and liability management transactions, as well as private equity fund formation and M&A transactions.

Cleary tax partner Jason Factor said, “Cleary’s international tax practice provides the highest-caliber service to sophisticated clients, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, investment funds, governments and individuals. We provide clear, practical advice on the tax implications of capital markets transactions, including solutions to complex cross-border issues. Matt’s experience across a broad range of transactions and jurisdictions will help us continue to support our clients’ needs as they navigate their most complex issues.”

“I am attracted to Cleary’s multidisciplinary approach, which is invaluable in helping clients execute complex, bespoke transactions that raise novel issues,” said Matt. “They are leaders in the tax field, and I am excited to be part of this world-class group.”