The Legal 500

Within Competition, Covington & Burling LLP is a second tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP’s ‘solutions-focused’ competition group provides ‘excellent services’ and ‘value for money’, and was bolstered by adding three partners from the now-dissolved firm of Howrey LLP. This broadened the scope of the ‘very credible’ antitrust practice and has helped attract new clients including Samsung, AstraZeneca and CEZ. Working in conjunction with the firm’s network of offices internationally, the team advised Microsoft on EC merger notifications for its $8.5bn acquisition of Skype Global. Georg Berrisch and group head David Hull represented Ryanair before the OFT in an investigation into its shareholding in Aer Lingus as well as in related litigation. Lars Kjølbye’s key areas of concentration include energy, IP and technology-related antitrust advice. Peter Camesasca is another key figure in the practice.

Within Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping, Covington & Burling LLP is a second tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP has well respected trade remedies expertise and a growing practice in economic sanctions and export controls. Practice head Georg Berrisch concentrates on litigation, and has over 20 years’ experience handling trade cases in Brussels. He is assisted by Lisa Peets, who splits her time between London and Brussels. Recent highlights include several new cases for the Council of the EU including two disputes concerning the EU’s countervailing duties against polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from the UAE and Pakistan.

Within Chemicals (REACH), Covington & Burling LLP is a first tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP fields some ‘true experts in the field’ of REACH, classification and labelling regulation. Cándido García Molyneux’s team of nine fee-earners has ‘an in-depth understanding of clients business needs’, and is ‘responsive in emergencies’.

Within Financial services, Covington & Burling LLP is a first tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP’s outstanding regulatory group continues to represent blue-chip companies and institutional clients, and has recently advised a number of prominent private equity funds on the implications of the AIFM Directive. EU policy aficionado Wim van Velzen (a non-lawyer) leads the team.

Within Food , Covington & Burling LLP is a first tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP has become increasingly active in the food sector. Its reliable team ‘always provides excellent service’ and handles innovation claims and compliance for food producers. Peter Bogaert heads the practice.

Within Information technology, Covington & Burling LLP is a first tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP’s reliable and dedicated team has a ‘very good understanding of clients’ needs’, consistently ‘manages a quick turnaround’, and provides ‘advice that is always spot on’. Hewlett-Packard and Verizon Communications are key clients of this 14-lawyer group, which also recently advised another prominent IT company on advertising and e-commerce. Damien Geradin heads the practice.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology , Covington & Burling LLP is a first tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP’s ‘top-quality’ team of ‘true experts’ represents major pharmaceuticals manufacturers, trade associations and biotechnology firms. Peter Bogaert combines ‘an understanding of clients’ businesses’ with an ‘eagerness to find solutions that work’. He recently advised several clients on EU directives on falsified medicines and cross-border healthcare.

Within Privacy and data protection , Covington & Burling LLP is a first tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP is renowned for ‘high-level regulatory advice’ on data protection. Henriette Tielemans is highly recommended for privacy audits, breach notifications and technology-related matters.

Within Intellectual property, Covington & Burling LLP is a second tier firm,

Covington & Burling LLP is recommended for IP matters pertaining to public policy, especially relating to EU or WTO developments. Recent work includes advising a company on IP issues relating to a product launch; and assisting trade group Eurimag, which represents the IT imaging and printing industry in Europe, in several copyright infringement cases. Practice head Alain Strowel is recommended for copyright cases.