The Legal 500

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is praised by clients as ‘aggressive, client oriented, and solely driven by success’, with ‘superior knowledge and contacts, and fast and reliable service’, and ‘proposing solutions, not just listing risks’. Advice is ‘pragmatic, yet very high level’, and non-clients name it as a possible alternative adviser in case of conflict. Romano Subiotto, Dirk Vandermeersch, Maurits Dolmans, and Nick Levy are singled out for praise. Clients include Google, British Airways, and Rio Tinto. Merger control highlights include acting for Google on the merger control aspects of its Phase II $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick. It also successfully argued for the Commission to abandon its enquiry in relation to Apple’s iTunes for Sony BMG, one of the music producers affected. The practice also achieved a notable victory in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in setting aside a Court of First Instance (CFI) judgment, a landmark decision hailed by lawyers as ‘extremely significant for competition lawyers and regulators alike’.

The practice at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer possesses a ‘quick understanding of the clients’ needs’, ‘an impressive understanding of relevant legal issues’, and ‘thoroughness and dedication and an ability to work well in a team environment’. Non-clients overwhelmingly named the practice as their alternative adviser of choice. Among the partners Rachel Brandenburger is ‘always available, correct, accommodating and creative’, while Michael Esser-Wellié shows an ‘unusual level of dedication’. Alan Ryan, John Davies, Andrew Renshaw, and Onno Brouwer are similarly excellent. Managing partner, David Broomhall, embodies the team’s values and service levels as someone who ‘doesn’t just know the law- he understands your business; his advice is always pragmatic, timely and considers business implications’. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has handled complex merger control clearances, such as the Phase II advice for ConocoPhillips merger with Statoil Hydro. Additional strengths include advice on global cartel investigations, like flat glass, international removals and global air cargo, as well as strong EU litigation experience. The practice also assisted the Bank of England in state aid issues arising out of the credit crunch.

Leading partners at Clifford Chance have a strong personal following, and are recognised as heading ‘a tremendous workforce’. Thomas Vinje is ‘one of the most technically proficient, creative and thoughtful of competition counsel’, Tony Reeves is ‘assertive and effective’, and Simon Baxter is praised for ‘addressing issues in a balanced manner’, and being ‘solution-oriented’. Clients include GE, Oracle, Yahoo! and InBev. The team at Clifford Chance is ‘commercial’, ‘rigorous’ and skilled at delivering ‘advice summarising legal essentials, which you actually can read’. New hire, Michel Petite, former Director General of the EC’s Legal Service, divides his time between the Brussels and Paris offices. Notable work includes various cartel investigations, the pharmaceutical sector inquiry and advising InBev on merger control aspects of its acquisition of Anheuser-Busch.

Latham & Watkins LLP is ‘very effective’, and has ‘refreshed their team, which shows they can meet changed circumstances’. New managing partner Howard Rosenblatt has ‘strong leadership skills’, and is praised by clients for his analytical abilities. Fellow 2007 arrival Bruno Lebrun is seen as having ‘a strong knowledge of EC procedures’ who ‘develops good working relationships with the Commission staff’’, and Dr Andreas Weitbrecht is praised as ‘an excellent lawyer’. The practice has recruited Eric Barbier de La Serre, formerly of the Court of First Instance, as counsel, and promoted Susanne Zühlke to partner. The practice is active in the air cargo cartel investigation, represented Dana Corporation and Ely Lilly on extensive global merger clearance work, and represents CB before the CFI in appealing a Commission decision of cartel activity in the French banking sector.

Clients praise Linklaters ability to deliver‘substantial added value on very short notice’. One client said ‘with Alec Burnside in the van, the firm understands highly complex technical and commercial questions and applies the law in a meaningful way’. Wolfgang Deselaers, Jonas Koponen, Paul McGeown, and Gerwin Van Gerven are singled out for praise. And many non-clients name Linklaters as their most popular alternative outside the top tier, with service that is ‘speedy without cutting corners on the detail’ from ‘people who are knowledgeable and versatile’. The practice’s work in advising Rio Tinto on the defence of BHP Billiton’s aborted bid is instructive, having previously led Aer Lingus’ successful and hard-fought 2007 defence against Ryanair. Belgian domestic competition work included advice to Electrabel on the acquisition of Walloon cable assets, resulting in litigation before Belgium’s higher courts- showing contentious and non-contentious experience.

Sidley Austin LLP’s acknowledged force, Stephen Kinsella, regarded as ‘very bright’ and ‘an excellent partner’, now divides his time between London and Brussels. Stephen Spinks remains active for ACT in the Microsoft appeal against their €899 million penalty award and partnerships for Ken Daly and Kristina Nordlander show that ‘they have good individuals coming up the ranks.’ Client praise was undivided: Daly is the ‘best competition and sports lawyer in Europe, with great legal and strategic advice.’ Nordlander has ‘a very strong personal network of EU contacts which enhance her effectiveness’. Overall, the practice ‘combines know-how with driving issues proactively and innovatively, without selling the unnecessary.’ Clients include AOL, eBay, and the European Commission, (in four appeals in the copper fittings cartel), and Microsoft. The practice also assisted in the EU merger control aspects of Singapore’s GIC $6.88 billion investment in Citigroup.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP retains its quality client base with work for Arcelor, Ford, and Disney. The practice’s merger control practice worked with Yahoo! in the proposed $44.6 billion unsolicited acquisition by Microsoft, the success of which ‘may ultimately rest with Brussels’. Nevertheless, the sharp decline in M&A markets has demonstrated the diversity of the practice’s work to the market, who acknowledge the practice’s ‘Grade A merger control practice’ and the skills of James Venit, Henry Huser, in particular, new partner, Ingrid Vandenborre’s, Article 81 and 82 experience.

At Slaughter and May partners John Boyce and Claire Jeffs, work closely with “best friends”, Hengeler Mueller, Bredin Prat, Uría Menéndez and Bonelli Erede Pappalardo, with whom they provide co-ordinated services to clients. Examples include advising Santander on the competition law aspects of its acquisition of Alliance & Leicester in which Slaughter and May and Uría Menéndez worked as an integrated team. Many non-clients singled Boyce out as their preferred adviser in case of conflict. Clients agree that Slaughter and May offers ‘extremely good service – fast efficient turnarounds’and praise the practice’s ‘ability to process huge volumes of data, within a short space of time and provide very commercially focused advice’. Claire Jeffs, in particular ‘truly delivers a quality service’. The practice has provided advice to Akzo Nobel, BHP Billiton, and Unilever, as well as the UK Government on the nationalisation of Northern Rock.

Van Bael & Bellis offers a talented ensemble of partners, alongside ‘excellent strategist’ Jean-Francois Bellis. Bellis’s advice enabled the Commission’s decision to drop charges against CISAC, in a long-running and complex Article 81 case in July 2008. Andrzej Kmiecik and Porter Elliott are well respected. Clients also mentioned Kris Van Hove and Fabrizio di Gianni as ‘knowledgeable and competent’, with ‘an excellent ability to analyse complex concepts and translate them into concrete, simple expressions’. The practice’s pitch to clients is simple: ‘why pay for a bigger name when they can get as good, or better, service elsewhere?’ Multinational clients include Boeing, Canon, and Coca-Cola.

For White & Case LLP Avocats Advocaten, business remains hectic after the 2007 Microsoft judgment. Cartel mandates in Rambus and others show breadth of practice, while litigation work saw an appeal for Microsoft against their €899m EC penalty imposed in February 2008. State aid files range from UK credit crunch advice, to assisting Eastern European industry clients, and is a key facet of the practice’s offering. The team, led by the ‘excellent’ Ian Forrester QC, remains competitive with other competition law practices. Mark Powell is ‘very knowledgeable, with a pragmatic and commercial approach’; Jacqui MacLennan is praised ‘for her dedication to clients, outstanding communications and personal touch’. Along with James Killick, and Pontus Lindfelt, the team’s abilities exemplify the reasons why clients say: ‘ White & Case LLP Avocats Advocaten are here to stay’ in a town where other practices have fallen away.

Allen & Overy LLP, clients say, ‘combines solid pragmatic advice with old-fashioned values’ and ‘thinks beyond short-term profit’. 2008 saw the retirement of the ‘distinguished’ Francis Herbert and the arrival of academic Wouter Devroe as counsel. Michael Reynolds, considered the ‘best all-around competition lawyer in Europe’, has been elected as IBA Secretary-General, whilst maintaining his expertise in hi-tech sectors and Asian markets. One client praises his ‘depth of experience in complex cases’. Non-clients saw the practice as a clear possible alternative to their own advisers. Among the other partners Dirk Arts is ‘realistic and to the point’, Michel Struys has ‘an outstanding knowledge of antitrust, regulatory and state aid issues’, and Martin Bechtold has ‘depth of experience’. Regulators suggested the practice was ‘always legally sound, courteous, and has a very good knowledge of how European institutions work’. The practice is assisting fifteen companies on ongoing EC cartel investigations, and acts for Research in Motion on the Qualcomm case, concerning abuse of a dominant position involving IP rights and antitrust law.

Arnold & Porter LLP’s clients appreciated ‘team players who accomplish our needs’, and ‘gather the expertise needed to meet deadlines and to address issues’. The practice was clearly seen by non-clients as a competitive alternative adviser. Others noted ‘the practice is well supported by the US’, and ‘good lawyers, good friends, and specialists in merger control’. The practice represented Sanyo in merger filings in the company’s sale to Panasonic, as well as regular work for marquee clients, GE and NBC Universal. Marleen Van Kerckhove was seen as ‘one of the best lawyers in town’ and her colleagues ‘rightly enjoy good reputations, handle their cases well’.

Ashurst LLP also possesses a strong merger control practice, but is hedged against downturn in M&A markets by a diverse practice, which ‘handles detail well’. The practice worked on three 2008 in-depth Phase II cases during 2008, against a reduced volume of Phase I/II mandates for all firms. Denis Waelbroeck has acknowledged skills as a litigator, ‘a real professional – understated, but effective’. The practice has been instructed on two of the first private enforcement actions, including Sanofi/Aventis in one. Its state aid practice has won instructions from the governments of Luxembourg, and Belgium. Annick Vroninks joined the partnership, bringing the strength of the partnership to eight. The team is praised having‘good technical lawyers and skilled competition advisers’.

Baker & McKenzie’s clients appreciate ‘constructive engagement and the anticipation of possible avenues’, and a ‘combination of solid legal advice, digesting multiple sources, delivered in a succinct submission’. Bill Batchelor ‘impresses with his level of knowledge of technical aspects’, and Kurt Haegeman demonstrates ‘strategic thinking’ that‘resolves issues with clarity’. Practice head, Fiona Carlin, represented Hungarian client MOL, in a hostile take-over bid, which involved cutting edge advice, in a $20bn deal. The practice’s work on the EC pharmaceutical sector inquiry for industry body EFPIA is notable, as is its presence in cartel litigation involving major oil companies.

Covington & Burling LLP is ‘a very good firm- quick to respond’ and best regarded for its litigation experience. With the Microsoft case now largely behind it, the practice has turned to other matters, like the EC pharmaceutical sector inquiry, in which partner David Hull is heavily involved. Hull is well regarded for his ‘very good analytical mind’ and ‘in-depth knowledge of EC antitrust legislation’. Georg Berrisch is seen as ‘pragmatic’, ‘a good advocate’, and ‘concise in his advice’. Clients include Ryanair, the Association of Corporate Counsel, and Electronic Arts.

Herbert Smith LLP ‘is now stronger in Brussels’, following the arrival of Bo Vesterdorf, a former President of the Court of First Instance (CFI), who joins popular partners, Craig Pouncey, and Kyriakos Fountoukakos. The ‘recruiting of Vesterdorf is clever strategically’, and ‘Kyriakos has really developed Herbert Smith LLP ’s practice’. Clients appreciate Fountoukakos’s ability to ‘distinguish good arguments from more risky ones’. Non-clients named the practice as a potential alternative in conflict cases, while clients hail the ‘high quality team’with a ‘high degree of continuity’. The practice acted as co-counsel for Warner Music Group on the Apple/iTunes inquiry. 2008 partner, Lode Van Den Hende advised JC Flowers on Northern Rock regarding state aid issues.

Howrey LLP’s practice has a hi-tech accent, being no stranger to IP-influenced cases. Clients describing the practice as having ‘an unusual combination of advocacy talent’ with some partners having ‘distinguished past careers with the Commission’. The practice represents EDF in the proposed acquisition of British Energy (which received EC approval with conditions), and continues to work with Qualcomm in long-running, IP-related litigation, as well as acting on behalf of Anheuser-Busch in the $52 billion acquisition by InBev. The partnership is led by Trevor Soames, who provides ‘consistent quality of work that make us return, time and time, again to Howrey LLP ’.

Jones Day has a particularly strong focus on TMT. The partners were seen by clients as ‘good people and excellent communicators’, who combine good solid merger control work, with being ‘creative competition lawyers, who aren’t afraid to be bold’. Bernard Amory and Vincent Brophy are ‘responsive’, ‘innovative’, and ‘pragmatic, effective and likeable’. Overall, the practice is applauded for ‘flexibility, professionalism, creativity, and hard work’. The practice acted for Apple in the successful defence of antitrust complaints on iTunes, and represented DoubleClick in its acquisition by Google.

The ‘pretty formidable’ practice at Lovells LLP recieves excellent client feedback, and is praised for its high profile in state aid work. Clients see the practice as ‘prompt, strategic, discrete, well-informed’ and ‘not ridiculously expensive’. Matthew Levitt ‘has the rare advantage of having litigation experience alloyed with superb knowledge’, Christopher Thomas ‘has deep expertise’, whilst Jacques Derenne’s work in the state aid field has informed the practice’s development. Clients recognise Derenne and associate Alix Müller-Rappard as ‘amongst the few top experts in this highly specialised area’. The practice has acted for investors (Metronet, in the London Underground case), recipients (ALSTOM), competitors (DHL) and grantors (in respect of the BT Pension Trustees).

Mayer Brown acted for EUROFER, the steel industry trade body, in BHP Billiton’s abortive take-over bid for Rio Tinto, and the practice acts for the US Chamber of Commerce in the Akzo Nobel appeal to the ECJ. Clients say the practice is ‘very good, particularly for behavioural and litigation-related matters’. Office managing partner Kiran Desai is ‘responsive, commercial and practical’ with a‘good, sharp, mind’. The firm’s associates are ‘very helpful at short notice’ and ‘very knowledgeable, thorough and meet deadlines’.

Riccardo Celli’s team at O’Melveny & Myers LLP is recommended for its work in the First Choice/TUI merger. It also handled the 2008 Delta/Northwest aviation merger. Both were technically complex matters, and recognised by clients as such. The market says Cook and Celli’s work is ‘excellent, and they are impressive’. Christian Riis-Madsen is cited as ‘excellent- partner quality’, and was promoted to partner in the practice’s 2009 partner class.

Stibbe’s alliance with Herbert Smith LLP and Gleiss Lutz enhances the Belgian practice’s international standing – the firm acted on a standout merger case between TomTom and Tele Atlas, a deal which elevated Hendrik Viaene to partner. Viaene’s promotion comes as a result of his ‘combination of passion and talent.’ It also shares with Linklaters the position of market leader for Belgian cases amongst Belgian clients, when EU matters are excluded. Clients say the practice is ‘of exceptional quality’ with ‘well-regarded advisers’, and recommend Marc van der Woude and Peter Wytinck.

With an experienced range of partners providing advice across various industry sectors, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP possesses a diverse practice. Merger control work saw them dealing with the Lufthansa/BMI clearance. The practice has represented two airlines in the air cargo global investigation, and on state aid advised Nomura and Deutsche Post. Christian Duvernoy, clients say, is ‘very quick and efficient’ with an ‘accurate and insightful grasp of business and technology’.Frédéric Louis is ‘an impressive encyclopaedia of court cases’.

Bredin Prat is praised for client service that is ‘outstanding- especially appreciated their reactivity’. Marc Pittie is praised for putting a case forward ‘so effectively that the appropriate merger clearance was granted quickly, with the minimum of further enquiries from the regulator’. Clients include Axa, Danone and Fujistsu. The practice was a key alternative adviser to non-clients amongst francophone companies, and has worked on state aid issues arising from the credit crunch.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has been strengthened by Benoît Le Bret’s arrival from the European Commission. The firm acts for large French corporations, like France Telecom, on matters ranging from sectoral enquiries, cartel investigations, and, notably, state aids, having acted for Dexia in the current financial crisis. Clients say ‘they know key people’ and have‘deep intelligence about the Commission, its behaviour, the forces at work’, that‘allows you to understand what can be achieved’.

Gleiss Lutz’s practice has further developed its reputation as a German competition law heavyweight, with contentious merger control work, such as for Syngenta. Growth in the state aid practice has included work for new clients like Nokia and ThyssenKrupp. Clients appreciate a ‘top standard state aid law, with great experience’ that is ‘very professional and serious’. Simon Hirsbrunner and Ulrich Soltész manage a practice that is ‘small, but well organised, with quick responses, and a pragmatic approach’.

At Hammonds LLP Konstantinos Adamantopoulos and Tom Pick are praised by clients for ‘excellent service, with a quick response to any wishes’. The team’s state aid practice was involved in recovery plans for the Greek banking sector. Clients include Mediaset, and Hellenic Telecoms. The team is involved in the air cargo cartel investigation, and has a thriving public procurement practice.

Hengeler Mueller is ‘a firm with fabulous quality’ in legal skills. Alf-Henrik Bischke and Hans-Jörg Niemeyer lead a team of four associates who handle high quality deals. One example is acting for DoubleClick on its acquisition by Google, cleared unconditionally at Phase II.

Clients appreciate Hogan & Hartson LLP as ‘efficient and very responsive’ with advice thatis ‘always to the point, clear and practical’. John Pheasant is singled out as a ‘clear, disciplined thinker’. The team’s work includes acting for Ford on the $2.3 billion sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries to Tata Motors. Catriona Hatton continues to demonstrate ‘the ability to become a “go-to” person where high stake strategic interests are involved’.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is seen as ‘very good, and highly competent’. The US firm’s strong M&A practice traditionally fed the team’s merger control experience in complex matters. Silvio Cappellari and Annette Luise Schild are respected partners, and Stephanie Birmanns was appointed counsel in December 2008. Deals include acting for Société Générale, in merger control proceedings to form Newedge, a world leader in derivatives.

At Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. veteran managing partner Brian Hartnett stands out as ‘extraordinarily talented’ and ‘the primary draw to the team’. Clients praise the team’s ability to acquire sectoral and industry awareness. Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. represents the world’s largest producer of LCD screens, AUOptronics, in the Commission’s investigation of an alleged LCD price cartel.

Steptoe & Johnson LLP’s merger work may have been affected by the autumn/winter hiatus in Phase I/II notifications, but the team’s diversity of practice is maintained. Kees Kuilwijk ‘has practical business sense and good legal judgement, with quick, short advice on issues’. The team continues to advise on the high profile cargo price fixing investigation. Clients say ‘the team’s judgement is very comprehensive’.

Beachcroft LLP has made investments in the team’s all-round EU practice. Clients say the team has an ‘extensive knowledge of the law’ and Julie Nazerali is ‘extremely thorough in her approach’ showing a‘microscopic attention to detail’. The team’s public procurement practice has a strong healthcare accent, handling merger clearances in the healthcare sector.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP advised McAfee on the international (non-US) merger control aspects of its $465m take-over of Secure Computing. Partner David Anderson is recommended as having ‘the judgement and experience to provide clients with sound practical advice’, and he has increased the practice’s US referral work. The team’s state aid practice has also won a number of UK public sector clients; and associate Chris Bryant is developing a useful litigation practice in the courts.

Bird & Bird LLP have seen the arrival of José Rivas and Morten Nissen as notable partners from McDermott Will & Emery/Stanbrook LLP, alongside Serge Durande, as senior European counsel. Rivas himself is praised by clients as ‘very capable both technically as well as dealing with the idiosyncrasies of the client’, and ‘pleasant and unstuffy to deal with’. Cartel cases and the CISAC litigation, are other highlights.

At Crowell & Moring Dr Werner Berg acts for clients like AT&T and Pratt & Whitney, and is now assisted by Sean-Paul Brankin, an ex-Legal Director of the OFT. The team became the official European competition law adviser for the Nestlé group. Clients say the team is‘very responsive’, providing ‘quick advice and quick action when needed’.

DLA Piper has seen personnel changes. The team seconded David Cox to assist with developments in Chinese competition law. Bertold Bar-Bouyssière remains a recognised figure at DLA Piper who continues to assist Cathay Pacific in the global air cargo cartel investigation.

Dechert LLP maintains a dual-track Belgian and EU competition practice, which moves seamlessly between hardcore cartel defence, and work for the Belgian gas, electricity and railways network on sector-specific competition law. Clients say they receive‘a very high standard of knowledge and expertise’ together with ‘prompt and personal attention’.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP can attest to a considerable personal client following for Peter Alexiadis. Clients say he is the ‘best equipped lawyer to blend competition and regulatory skills’ and appreciate his knowledge of‘institutional politics’and ‘decision-making’ as ‘second to none’. The team is responsive: ‘when put on-the-spot for an instant answer the advice has been very good.’

With the departure of José Rivas and Morten Nissen to Bird & Bird LLP, Philip Bentley QC is now the partner-in-charge at McDermott Will & Emery/Stanbrook LLP. Clients praise the team’s strong advocacy experience, and for making them feel that ‘preserving their relationship with the regulator is not more important to them than representing our interests’.

At Morgan Lewis, Izzet Sinan is a recognised specialist in the M&A-related competition field. Having steered the Apollo/Hexion-Huntsman merger to a successful Phase I outcome, his reputation is for ‘practical advice at short notice, which perfectly suits our needs’, with a ‘quick grasp of foreign legal concepts’.

At Morrison & Foerster LLP the likeable Rony Gerrits, and experienced Chris Norrall have been joined by partner Jonathan Gowdy from the US. One client saysthe team has ‘good lawyers and understand Japanese culture’. Another notes the team is‘extremely reactive, working within agreed budgets’.

NautaDutilh wins plaudits from clients who say Charles van Sasse van Ysselt, is‘professional, well informed and has an in-depth knowledge of regulations’. The team is ‘extremely responsive and constructive and dealt well under time pressure’. The practice is at home with merger control filings within the EU Commission, Belgian and Dutch Competition Authorities.

Norton Rose LLP have seen a change in personnel in 2008. Marc Waha was seconded to the team’s Hong Kong office, whilst Christian Filippitsch has made partner. London partner Mark Tricker has relocated to Brussels. Michael Jürgen Werner is praised for ‘sound judgement, balancing legal and commercial aspects when it comes to a final decision’.

Ramon Garcia Gallardo and Wilko van Weert lead SJ Berwin LLP’s team. Garcia Gallardo specialises in EU and Spanish competition law. Van Weert acts for many Japanese clients, and is competition counsel to several European trade associations. Clients include EDP (Energias de Portugal), and Fyffes.

Uría Menéndez’s competition team is led by Edurne Navarro Varona in Brussels. The practice is described as ‘making a considerable difference to the work of the firm as a whole’. Work includes merger control assistance for the Thales/ Diehl Laupheim merger, worth €120m. State aid clients include the Junta Castilla y León in procedures initiated by the EU Commission.

The CMS DeBacker team has an impressive public sector following, with clients including the Walloon and Brussels regional governments, particularly on state aid work, but has also worked on EU litigation for staff complainants.

Eubelius, where Hans Gillams is an impressive partner, possesses a competition practice which spans cartel defence, and advice for Belgian and EU trade associations. State aid advice has been a particular facet of the team’s 2008 practice. Clients include the Belgian, and the Flemish regional, governments.

Field Fisher Waterhouse saw the 2007 arrival of a four partner team, headed by Claudio Mereu, focusing on the chemicals and life sciences sector, which also has a strong regulatory side.

Garrigues is recommended for José Luis Buendía’s state aid and competition law practice, where he assists major Spanish banks, energy companies, the Hungarian Government and many Spanish local and regional administrations.

Hunton & Williams LLP possesses Michael Rosenthal as a leading figure, assisted by the experienced Robert Klotz, who joined the practice from the European Commission. Clients include Delta Air Lines and Austrian Railways.

KRB Kemmler Rapp Böhlke remains ‘impressive’ according to one client, praising the team’s service levels. The firm has acted for clients ranging from Austrian banks, industrial and manufacturing companies, and EU civil service claims.

Olswang hired Koen Platteau, considered ‘excellent, practical’ and ‘very professional’, from Loyens & Loeff. The move boosted Olswang’s domestic competition law offering significantly, with considerable strength in telecoms, a key client being Belgacom.

Simmons & Simmons possesses three areas of insight, with EU, Belgian, and Dutch competition law all handled. It has particular expertise in complex cartel investigations, merger control work.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is led by partner, Jacques-Philippe Gunther, working between Paris and Brussels, for clients such as Teva, Gaz de France, Crédit Mutuel