The Legal 500

Within Competition, Sidley Austin LLP is a second tier firm,

Sidley Austin LLP’s lawyers are ‘specialists you want to have on your side in a difficult case’; the firm ‘builds on the synergies involved where regulation, trade and competition issues are all intertwined’. It ‘knows how the European system works’ with the client’s position ‘advocated from a broader policy perspective’. Cartel proceedings included the copper fittings case; it has assisted in extensive work for Microsoft in multiple court cases plus advocacy for ECLA in Akzo Nobel; and merger control work for eBay in its sale of 65% of Skype for $1.9bn. Stephen Kinsella, Stephen Spinks, Ken Daly, Kristina Nordlander are all recommended.

Within Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping, Sidley Austin LLP is a first tier firm,

Sidley Austin LLP’s Arnoud Willems is ‘one of the smartest lawyers on anti-dumping and import duty issues I know’, who ‘does not hide behind difficult words, options and caveats; he provides real practical advice’. Richard Weiner delivers advice ‘in a timely and efficient manner’. Whether arguing ECJ anti-dumping litigation for Chinese footwear manufacturers, or multiple General Court anti-dumping cases, the team – ‘hard-working, diligent, well educated and superb at analysing risks’ – represents an enviable client list which includes Unilever, Eurofer, Clarks and Westland. Export control and customs advice is proffered for 3M, and Delta Products; market access work is increasing; and it represents Brazil, Canada, Japan and Norway in WTO cases. Laurent Ruessman left in 2010 to set up his own practice, but continues to work with the firm.

Within EU regulatory: Environment (including WEEE and RoHS), Sidley Austin LLP is a first tier firm,

Kristina Nordlander and Maurits Lugard are respected advisers at Sidley Austin LLP, as they ‘take business considerations into account’ with an ‘impressive network of European contacts’ used to advise clients, including Rio Tinto, on all aspects of EU environmental regulation, including in the EU courts. Other clients include 3M and Umicore.

Within EU regulatory: Food , Sidley Austin LLP is a first tier firm,

Sidley Austin LLP counts Herbalife as a client, for advice on EU legal and regulatory issues, including food safety. Maurits Lugards has ‘good connections with EU authorities on regulatory matters’.

Within EU regulatory: Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology , Sidley Austin LLP is a first tier firm,

Kristina Nordlander and Maurits Lugards at Sidley Austin LLP are both active in delivering European pharmacovigilance advice; clients include medical device manufacturers, vaccine producers, Novo Nordisk and Bayer Schering Pharma.

Within Media and entertainment, Sidley Austin LLP is a third tier firm,

Sidley Austin LLP is recommended for media law crossover with competition law capabilities; its main claim to fame in 2010 was acting for the FIA, the owner and regulator of Formula One, in a busy year for motor sport and F1 in particular. Ken Daly is the best-known figure.