The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has adapted to changed market conditions by focusing on the restructuring of syndicated bank loan financing, project finance, and institutional assistance. The team delivers ‘services of a supremely high level’ through ‘business-minded and pragmatic lawyers’. Advice is ‘always to the point’ and ‘comprehensive’; as epitomised by Charles-Antoine Leunen’s ‘enthusiasm and commitment’. Leunen advised BNP Paribas Fortis on the €190m syndicated secured credit facilities for Metallum, and the team also handled an €80m PPP deal. It also helped Solvay in connection with its €1bn revolving credit facility.

Within Competition, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

‘When it comes to big ticket matters, you want it by your side’, say users of ‘mega-practice’ Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Brussels office, with its ‘vast international coverage’. Whether involved in the state aid implications of almost all Germany’s state-backed bank restructurings, or assisting NEC with the first application of the cartel settlement procedure, whilst smoothly handling numerous other detailed investigations from air cargo to removals, it has the ‘creativity to explain why our conduct is good for consumers and doesn’t restrain competition’. $2.7bn and $3.2bn merger control filings for 3Com and Continental Airlines impressed. John Davies is ‘one of the world’s leading competition lawyers’, and joint global leader of the competition law practice. Office managing partner David Broomhall is ‘dedicated, patient, pragmatic- nothing is too much trouble’. Thomas Wessely ‘thinks very strategically, several moves ahead’; Onno Brouwer ‘works easily with in-house lawyers’. Laurent Garzaniti is a ‘top talent’. Frank Montag is also recommended. Rachel Brandenburger left to join the US Department of Justice.

Within Corporate and M&A , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

The level of service at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is ‘amongst the best we have ever seen’, say clients. ‘The department works in small, very reactive, cost-effective teams’. The focused team handled post-transactional work in relation to the sale of Fortis to BNP Paribas. Geert Verhoeven assisted Solvay in its the sale of 50% shareholding in Inergy in a €270m deal, and also acted for Elia in a €810m acquisition deal with Vattenfall’s German power grid subsidiary. Vincent Macq’s work for private companies is no less worthwhile, acting on a €70m healthcare disposal.

Within Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Frank Montag and Thomas Wessely remain key contacts. Wessely acted for chemical providers Borealis, DSM, Pulawy and Azomures in relation to an anti-dumping investigation against the import of melamine from China.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer continues to assist a Belgian natural gas operator, following a highly public industrial accident, having won a first-instance acquittal in criminal proceedings in 2010. It now contests the criminal appeal and related civil claims; it also handles banking and tax litigation.

Within EU regulatory: Energy, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised an impressive breadth of clients, including BP, ConocoPhillips and E.ON. David Broomhall’s energy practice includes advice on energy supply and delivery, cross-border investment, and the implementation of the Third Energy Package.

Within EU regulatory: Financial services, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has a terrific track record. Andrew Renshaw advised AIG on EU regulatory issues, whilst Andreas von Bonin’s German banking practice on state aid encompasses five key banks, including BayernLB.

Within EU regulatory: Food , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advises leading drinks manufacturers on EU labelling requirements, and counsels Delhaize, the food retailer, and Foods America on antitrust issues.

Within EU regulatory: Telecoms, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advises Deutsche Telekom on a range of EU law issues. Key contact Andreas von Bonin was joined by ex-Commission Director-General Alexander Schaub; Laurent Garzantini is also recognised for his interest in telecoms, broadcast and media law.

Within EU regulatory: Transport, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Alan Ryan is skilled at advising on EU implementation of aviation policy; Laurent Garzaniti has advised SCNB, the Belgian railway operator. The team have experience in aviation security charges, and access to airports.

Within Labour and employment, tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s employee benefits practice relies on the experience of Axel Haelterman as the chief contact at the firm, with new senior associate, Julie Panckert in support. It acts for mostly blue-chip Belgian and EU companies, including Sara Lee, who it assisted with restructuring and pensions law questions. Koen De Bischopp left to set up Reliance Advocaten.

Within Real estate, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has been extensively involved in restructuring involving real estate companies, whilst the hotel industry remains a key sector for the firm; it continued to assist BAM on the €80m Kantienberg PPP project relating to student housing around the University of Ghent, and on long-term leasehold issues relating to European Parliament facilities.

Within Tax, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s ‘open-mind, imaginative, reliable’ service is delivered to a network of large public institutional and financial sector clients, including the Belgian federal and regional governments, Goldman Sachs, Merill Lynch and SocGen. Team leader Axel Haelterman is ‘excellent in terms of his accuracy, responsiveness, knowledge’, and continues to enjoy renown for a strong corporate tax practice, with particular accents on redomiciliation, tax optimization, and tax litigation before the Belgian and EU courts. The team’s work on the Solvay sale to Abbott was a notable plus in representation on a deal of significant size and complexity.