O’Melveny & Myers has hired Philip Monaghan, the former general counsel of the Hong Kong Competition Commission (HKCC), as an antitrust and competition partner in the Hong Kong office.

Monaghan served as the first executive director (or GC) of the HKCC, which was created in 2013 following the enactment of the Hong Kong Competition Ordinance. As GC, he oversaw the watchdog’s legal division, served as a member of the executive management team, and played a critical role in drafting its guidelines and policies.

Monaghan joined the HKCC from Mayer Brown, where he was a senior associate. He is qualified in Hong Kong and England and Wales, and has almost 15 years of practice in competition law.

“With more aggressive prosecution of competition offenses expected out of Asia, and Hong Kong specifically, Philip’s extensive experience in this area will help our clients avoid potential antitrust pitfalls when doing cross-border business in Asia,” said Ian Simmons, co-chair of OMM’s antitrust & competition practice, in a statement.

Monaghan is a rare lateral hire for the firm’s Hong Kong office. In October, OMM lost its former office head Friven Yeoh to Sidley Austin after about a year and a half in the role. Consequently, the firm appointed Denis Brock, who joined the firm from King & Wood Mallesons in 2014, to replace Yeoh.  

OMM now has eight partners in the Hong Kong office, including Monaghan.