Allen & Overy LLP is noted as a ‘leading firm in the competition law field’. The practice is headed up by ‘very bright and smart lawyer’ Kees Schillemans alongside May 2023-promoted partner Pieter Huizing, who has impressive experience representing clients, particularly those in the aviation industry, in proceedings before competition and regulatory authorities and courts. The team’s workload includes assisting clients on the vast array of complex matters. On the regulatory side, it advises on cases including ownership restrictions, tariffs, access and rights issues. Further, the group ably handles merger control proceedings, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, private litigation, general competition guidance and compliance matters. Associate Midas Klijsen is noted for his ‘incredible knowledge’ of the subject. Yvo De Vries departed to Houthoff in June 2023.
EU and competition in Netherlands
Allen & Overy LLP
Practice head(s):
Kees Schillemans; Pieter Huizing
Other key lawyers:
Wouter Boekelman; Marinus Winters; Midas Klijsen
Testimonials
‘The team is highly skilled. They understand the business and maintain an approach which is not only smart but also practicable and realistic. They are available for rather simple questions as well as for complicated and delicate situations.’
‘Kees Schillemans is a very bright and smart lawyer. He is nice to work with, quickly understands the situation you are in and his answers are spot-on and strategically considered. Wouter Boekelman is a very good lawyer. He communicates in a swift and professional way and his case management is excellent.’
‘Allen & Overy has been a longstanding partner for our company. Whenever we have to deal with an urgent or complex matter, we know we can rely on the highly capable team.’
Key clients
Roompot
RTL
Leaseplan
Korean Air
KLM
DSM
PostNL
Samsung
Scania
KPN
Delta Air Lines
Transavia
Heijmans
Maersk
Work highlights
- Advising Leaseplan on its merger with ALD, securing EC conditional clearance.
- Advising Roompot and KKR on its acquisition of Landal GreenParks, resulting in second phase condition clearance with ‘fix it first’ remedies imposed by ACM.
- Assisting Korean Air in obtaining EU merger clearance for its proposed acquisition of Asiana.
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek
The practice at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is renowned for its capabilities advising on the gamut of complex competition matters. The team’s client portfolio features renowned names, which it advises on cases including international mergers and acquisitions; the combining of companies’ operations with those in other jurisdictions; and digital regulation and consumer guidance issues. Further, it is vastly experienced handling high-stakes litigious matters, such as its representing DAF Group in its multi-billion euro settlement with the European Commission, a case involving alleged anticompetitive practices and twenty jurisdictions. ‘Expert in his field’ Jolling de Pree oversees the team, with support from key practitioners including the ‘incredibly bright’ Helen Gornall who is particularly capable in merger control, cartel, dominance and vertical restraint cases, the ‘exceptional’ Arjan Kleinhout, the ‘skilled’ Bart de Rijke, and Stephanie The.
Practice head(s):
Jolling de Pree
Other key lawyers:
Helen Gornall; Arjan Kleinhout; Bart de Rijke; Stephanie The; Machteld de Monchy
Testimonials
‘Very experienced partners with an excellent understanding of the business areas they advise in – very pragmatic.’
‘I have been working with Helen Gornall for several years now and there is no other competition lawyer with a similar level of knowledge of our industry. Her ability to find pragmatic solutions while satisfying the needs of the business is exceptional.’
‘Jolling de Pree is the best competition lawyer I know – an expert in his field who is able to combine his expertise with knowledge of our business and advise us practically.’
‘The team knows everything there is to know about competition law and is able to advise in a practical and applicable way for the business.’
‘The team has an in-depth knowledge of sector-specific regulations and is able to translate complicated legal matters into hands-on advice.’
‘Arjan Kleinhout is an exceptional regulatory lawyer who is easy-going but knows the law.’
‘Bart de Rijke is a very knowledgeable and skilled competition lawyer who translates complex notions of competition law into workable recommendations that we can execute. We would highly recommend working with him.’
‘Helen Gornall is incredibly bright and client friendly.’
Key clients
Aegon
AkzoNobel
AholdDelhaize
ASML
Booking.com
British Airways
Celanese
D.S. Smith
EQT Partners
Just Eat Takeaway.com
Nederlandse Gasunie
Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
NN Group
PACCAR/DAF Trucks
Parcom
PON Holdings B.V.
Otis
Royal DSM
Royal Philips
Royal Schiphol Group
SHV Group/Nutreco
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners
Work highlights
- Acted for PACCAR/DAF through Supreme Court and appeal proceedings in the UK and secured the dismissal of all claims in Norway and in France in the GCR Colas case; we have secured a judgement from the UK Supreme Court upholding our argument that mass claim litigation funding agreements cannot be enforced in competition damage proceedings in the UK.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Litigation expert Winfred Knibbeler, who has experience handling global antitrust, selective distribution, and interchange-related complex matters, is at the helm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer‘s EU and competition group alongside ‘subject matter expert’ and ‘brilliant communicator’ Paul van den Berg. The practice’s ‘deep bench of talented practitioners’ includes Onno Brouwer, who harnesses impressive expertise across the board; his recent work has included unfair trading investigations, and investigations into tax rulings. The team often collaborates with the firm’s international offices, namely those in Brussels and Washington DC. Its workload incorporates advising clients on high-value merger controls, proposed acquisitions, and advising on the regulatory aspects of foreign investments.
Practice head(s):
Winfred Knibbeler; Paul van den Berg
Other key lawyers:
Onno Brouwer; Alvaro Pliego Selie
Testimonials
‘A global practice capable of handling filings in multiple jurisdictions seamlessly and expertly. They have efficient systems to limit expenses, and excellent client communication skills.’
‘Paul van den Berg is excellent. He is a subject matter expert, who is extremely reliable and a brilliant communicator. He is clearly one of the current and future leaders in his space.’
‘The Freshfields team has unrivalled experience in the global antitrust arena. They are excellent in navigating complex, multi-jurisdictional cases that require collaboration among various stakeholders.’
Key clients
AB InBev
Airbnb
APG
Atlas Copco
AVR-Afvalverwerking
BCIMC
Bergman Clinics
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
Glencore
Hal Investments
HP Inc
Mars
PGGM
RWE
Talpa Holding
Visa Europe
Viterra
VodafoneZiggo
Volkswagen
Work highlights
- Advising Viterra and its shareholders (CPPIB, Glencore and BCI) on the global merger control and foreign investment regulation aspects of its merger with Bunge Limited.
- Advised Dutch media company Talpa on the establishment of a JV with its rival RTL to which undertaking the parties would contribute their TV, radio and video on demand channels.
- Defended HP Inc. and other HP subsidiaries successfully in proving that its selective distribution system does not infringe competition law.
Stibbe
Stibbe‘s EU and competition team has noteworthy expertise advising its roster of key clients on the plethora of complex matters. Team lead Rein Wesseling is described as ‘exceptional and among the most intelligent and effective competition lawyers’; his focus is predominantly on complex competition litigation cases, namely defending clients in cartel cases, and merger control matters. Antitrust expert Jeroen Kortmann has experience handling complex international litigation for key clients, and newly co-leads alongside Wesseling. ‘Strategic mastermind’ Stijn De Jong is a key senior associate. The team’s caseload varies and includes representing key clients in matters involving such aspects as alleged abuses of dominance, cartel infringement decisions, and merger controls. Floris ten Have departed practice in January 2024.
Practice head(s):
Rein Wesseling; Jeroen Kortmann
Other key lawyers:
Elske Raedts; Stijn de Jong; Frederick Brouwer
Testimonials
‘Stibbe is the leading competition law practice in the Netherlands in my view. Both as to merger clearance and conduct investigations, they bring noteworthy sophistication, insight and a strategic view.’
‘Rein Wesseling is exceptional and among the most intelligent and effective competition lawyers I have ever encountered.’
‘Highly competent advice is provided on Dutch competition and telecoms matters.’
‘Elske Raedts is a commercial, personal and able legal advisor.’
‘The team has great strength and depth.’
‘Rein Wesseling is technically excellent and easy to work with.’
‘Simply the best lawyers in the field.’
‘Rein Wesseling is an easy-going partner with a thorough knowledge of the law and the various sectors involved. Stijn de Jong is a strategic mastermind, always capable of helping us.’
Key clients
Apple
British American Tobacco
Credit Suisse
Heineken
Air France-KLM
MAN
Firmenich
Rabobank
VodafoneZiggo
Viatris
Work highlights
- Representing Apple before the ACM and before Dutch Courts in connection to alleged abuse of dominance by Apple.
- Representing Credit Suisse in the appeals before the EU General Court against the cartel decision from the European Commission regarding the foreign exchange (FX) markets.
- Represented British American Tobacco in its appeal against the Dutch Competition Authority’s cartel decision concerning the tobacco industry.
Brinkhof
The ‘extremely professional and knowledgeable’ EU and competition cohort at Brinkhof has strong capabilities advising on the array of matters, namely including complex merger control matters, and high-stakes litigious work relating to cartel damages. The team further assists in intended mergers and in advising on European regulations, and is also equipped to defend clients from an array of industry sectors before the ACM. Pepijn van Ginneken and Quinten Kroes oversee the practice, in which Hanneke Kooijman is a notable senior associate.
Practice head(s):
Pepijn van Ginneken; Quinten Kroes
Other key lawyers:
Remy Chavannes; Jan Pot; Hanneke Kooijman; Boukje van der Maazen
Testimonials
‘A fantastic and very responsive team with a can-do attitude and strong knowledge in their field. They show a good balance of communication.’
‘I have found Brinkhof to be extremely professional and knowledgeable on every area we are working on with a view to delivering the right outcome. They provide excellent updates on any milestones we reach.’
‘The combinations of in-depth knowledge together with a practical attitude and strategic awareness of the needs of all the involved stakeholders involved, is what makes Brinkhof unique.’
‘Pepijn van Ginneken puts those involved in matters at ease which results in optimal decision-making.’
‘The team really sets itself apart with its deep experience, extensive knowledge, and hands-on approach. It has a deep understanding of EU competition law and the industry, and it is able to apply this knowledge to provide its clients with practical and effective legal advice.’
‘The team has provided us with invaluable assistance with litigation, regulatory and legal advice, and we have consistently been impressed with their work and dedication.’
‘The individuals in the team excel in both communication and in finding legal solutions. They are always clear, concise, and practical in their communications, and they consistently provide us with solid strategic advice. The individual lawyers are very responsive and go above and beyond to meet our needs.’
‘Hanneke Kooijman is an absolute pleasure to work with – she is very knowledgeable, pragmatic and always willing to go the extra mile.’
Key clients
Heineken
Toshiba
AB Inbev
Diageo
FedEx
Mediahuis
Crédit Agricole
Global Steel Wire
Vestel
FD Mediagroep
Adrestia
Glasdraad
VCR (Dutch Association of Commercial Radio Broadcasters)
Mosadex
Eurofiber
NFZ
Work highlights
- Representing Google in a number of collective claim cases, which concern both follow-on as well as stand-alone claims.
- Representing a number of brewery groups, including Heineken, and other large companies in international follow-on damages litigation resulting from the trucks cartel.
- Assisted Mediahuis as a remedy taker in the high-profile merger notification of large media companies RTL/Talpa.
Houthoff
The EU and competition practice at Houthoff is led by Yvo De Vries who joined from Allen & Overy LLP in June 2023. The ‘excellent team’ has strong expertise handling cartels and abuse of dominance matters, including damages litigation; matters relating to state aid, which is the focus area of De Vries; and on EU law and European litigation matters. The practice services clients spanning the array of industry sectors but it has noteworthy capabilities in the healthcare and energy sectors in particular. Former co-lead Weijer VerLoren van Themaat retired from practice in December 2023.
Practice head(s):
Yvo de Vries
Other key lawyers:
Murat Duman; Rick Cornelissen; Gerrit Oosterhuis; Karmijn Krooshoff; Eline Groen
Testimonials
‘Murat Duman has proven able to combine in-depth sector knowledge with legal expertise, leading to strong argumentation overall.’
‘Accessible, fast, excellent quality, and well familiar with our company.’
‘Weijer VerLoren van Themaat, Murat Duman and Karmijn Krooshoff make an excellent team as well as excellent individual advisors.’
‘Rick Cornelissen is one of the best competition litigation lawyers around. He is very knowledgeable, practical, and communicates well.’
‘A very proactive team that not only takes care of imminent tasks but looks ahead and provides guidance on how to best take care of matters ahead.’
‘Rick Cornelissen is very client-oriented and excellent in resolving misunderstandings that can emerge.’
‘A very hands-on approach from the business-centric, efficient and pragmatic team.’
‘Gerrit Oosterhuis is a very experienced competition lawyer with strong advocacy skills who is able to get even the most tricky transaction approved.’
Key clients
Imperial Brands
Nexans
Volvo Trucks
Renault Trucks
Nexperia
EY
TotalEnergies
Cordes & Graefe Gruppe
Bergman Clinics
Aramis Consortium: Shell, TotalEnergies, EBN, Gasunie
Milence
Equipe Zorgbedrijven
Consortium of VodafoneZiggo, T-Mobile, KPN and Delta Fiber
Cargolux International Airlines
LG Electronics
Kia Nederland
Volvo Car Corporation
Volvo Car Nederland
Bugaboo International
Work highlights
- Advising Nexans et al. on its defence strategy against cartel damages claims filed by Electricity & Water Authority of the Government of Bahrain; GCC Interconnection Authority from Saudi Arabia; Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water; and Oman Electricity Transmission Company SAOC.
- Representing Imperial Brands in its appeal before the District Court of Rotterdam against a record fine of €82m by the ACM on tobacco manufacturers for alleged collusion.
- Representing Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks in multi-party cross-border litigation before the Dutch courts in relation to mass damages claims following on from the Commission’s claims of competition law infringements in the trucks sector.
Loyens & Loeff
The EU and competition offering at Loyens & Loeff is considered ‘professional and pragmatic’ by its clients. The team is well-equipped to advise, particularly financial service, healthcare, lifescience and tech companies on the array of complex and consistently high-value matters, including those regarding merger controls, proposed acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. Competition specialist and ‘excellent lawyer in his field’ Marc Wiggers leads on many of the team’s most prominent matters, whilst experienced ‘super specialist’ counsel Marc Custers has particular expertise advising both national and international clients on state aid matters in particular; the pair oversee the practice. Former co-lead Gert-Wim van de Meent retired from practice in January 2023.
Practice head(s):
Marc Wiggers; Marc Custers
Other key lawyers:
Robin Struijlaart; Boyd Wolfers; Robert Fröger
Testimonials
‘The team takes a very considered and practical approach – they are thorough in the problem analysis phase and very professional and pragmatic.’
‘Marc Wiggers and Robin Struijlaart did an excellent job in advising us. We valued the pragmatic approach and well-thought-out strategy.’
‘The L&L team is very easy to work with. They provide open and clear communication towards their customer and the other side; they have a pro-active approach and identify and mitigate potential risks before they become an issue, and a willingness to invest in the customer relationship.’
‘Unlike most lawyers, L&L thinks in the long-run and invests time into getting to know their clients and listening to their concerns. Robin Struijlaart in particular went above and beyond to understand the business we are in and to explain to us EU competition law. By asking the correct questions, he assisted us in finding the way to reach our objective as closely as possible.’
‘Marc Custers is a super specialist who doesn’t lose sight of the practical applications of his knowledge. He is easy to work with, accessible and very hands on.’
‘Marc Wiggers is outstanding – an excellent lawyer in his field who is very dedicated, with supreme client care. Marc seems to be ahead of the game in respect of FDI implementation in the Netherlands. He manages his team very well, never fails to be up to speed about their work.’
‘Marc Wiggers delivers what he promises, and he actively seeks feedback in the course of a transaction. Very pleasant, a straight-shooter, no-nonsense and always focused.’
‘Boyd Wolfers is the rising star.’
Key clients
Banco Santander
Morgan Stanley
DPG Media
bol.com (Ahold-Delhaize)
BNP Paribas
DIF
Lightspeed
Vivat
Sun Chemical
Equinor
Aon
Medtronic
Phoenix/Brocacef
Jan Linders
Vesa
NOGAT
NGT
Zilveren Kruis
Zorgverzekeraars Nederland
Unilabs Novartis
AXA Real Estate
BNext.nl
DFDS
MSD
Lekkerland
Neptune Energy
3i
Amlon
Rendac/Darling Ingredients
Orpea
Cabooter Rail Cargo
CZ
TEVA
AAC
Coolblue
ABN AMRO Participaties
Egeria
Active Capital Company
Standard Investment
Espria
CleanLease
BMI Group/Monier
De Hoop Terneuzen
Van Nieuwpoort Groep
PLUS Retail
VGZ
Menzis
Alliander
Torqx
Sai Global
Westmont Hospitality
Klöckner
Wessanen
Yara
Carlyle
Aurora
Provast
Work highlights
- Assisting Santander with a European Commission merger control notification in respect of a full function joint venture that will be set-up together with Ethias, subject to merger control clearance.
- Advising supermarket chain Jan Linders in relation to the competition aspects of its strategic partnership with its competitor Albert Heijn (AholdDelhaize), which includes a franchise branding as Albert Heijn supermarkets of all Jan Linders outlets.
- Advised TPG, Inc. in relation to the Dutch merger control aspects of its proposed acquisition of Angelo Gordon Group and has submitted on its behalf a merger control filing with the Authority for Consumers and Markets in the Netherlands.
Maverick Advocaten N.V.
Maverick Advocaten N.V.‘s EU and competition team is regarded as ‘extremely hands-on’ and ‘thinks in possibilities rather than constraints’. The ‘excellent team members’ are led by Martijn van de Hel who is ‘not afraid to take a stand’, regulatory litigation specialist Diederik Schrijvershof who has experience assisting clients in sectors including agriculture, healthcare and life sciences, and the ‘commercially savvy’ Cyriel Ruers who joined from Allen & Overy LLP in January 2023. Competition law, market regulation and consumer protection matters are all aspects of the workload of the team. It is adept at representing clients at the ACM in various cases; its caseload includes handling dawn raids, mergers and acquisitions and consumer law strategy development.
Practice head(s):
Martijn van de Hel; Diederik Schrijvershof; Cyriel Ruers
Other key lawyers:
Annabel Kingma
Testimonials
‘They give teams personal attention and are easy to get in touch with.’
‘They have great know-how of the niche ACM market.’
‘This practice is distinct for its unwavering client dedication, deep industry knowledge and agile problem-solving abilities. When we face a problem, we call Diederik Schrijvershof or one of his excellent team members to brainstorm on tactics and practical problem-solving.’
‘Compared to other firms, Maverick is extremely hands-on and thinks in possibilities rather than constraints.’
‘The standout quality of the individuals I collaborate with at this practice is their adaptability and responsiveness. What sets them apart from competitors is their ability to swiftly understand evolving market dynamics and tailor their legal strategies accordingly. This team’s agility and dedication to staying ahead of industry trends ensure we receive high-quality advice.’
‘Diederik Schrijvershof and Annabel Kingma excel in providing practical solutions. Their collective ability to navigate complexity and provide timely insights truly differentiates them in the legal field.’
‘Maverick has a wealth of experience in competition law and their hands-on, practical approach and swift response times makes them a great partner to work with.’
‘Martijn van de Hel and Cyriel Ruers are very knowledgeable, are commercially savvy and are not afraid to take a stand.’
Key clients
Eneco
Achmea
Mediq
Growers United (Cooperatie DOOR)
Royal Zon (Cooperatie ZON)
Funda
Decathlon Netherlands
Federatie Mobiliteitsbedrijven Nederland (FMN)
Allrail
ABMD
DHL
MKB Multifunds
Glaspoort
Ingka Investments
Scholle IPN
Digital Revolution
GMS
Oranjewoud
DPG Media
Venus & Mercury
Vion Food Group
Van Loon Group
Lumileds
Booking.com
Solar
Work highlights
- Represented Mediq in successful court proceedings against a prohibition decision of the ACM for the acquisition of Eurocept Homecare and Excellent Clinics.
- Assisting FMN (Transdev, Arriva, Qbuzz, Keolis and EBS) and ALLRAIL in different proceedings against the decision by the Dutch State to grant the main national rail concession 2025-2035 to national incumbent train operator NS.
- Assisting a large international infrastructure company during a dawn raid and subsequent investigation by the European Commission related to an alleged cartel in the synthetic turf sector.
NautaDutilh
Known for her work advising clients from the spectrum of industry sectors on the array of complex matters, Mauricette Schaufeli heads up NautaDutilh‘s EU and competition team from Amsterdam, which collaborates with public procurement specialist David van Ee to offer a well-rounded service to its clients. Rotterdam-based Philip Malanczuk harbours expertise in cartel damages actions, and in commercial litigation cases. The practice represents well-known clients before the Dutch courts in matters which involve significant values and multiple jurisdictions. Proposed acquisitions and cooperations also make up a large portion of the team’s workload.
Practice head(s):
Mauricette Schaufeli
Other key lawyers:
Nima Lorjé; Philip Malanczuk; David van Ee
Testimonials
‘Great knowledge of the market and sector.’
‘Excellent thinkers and problem solvers.’
‘Great team spirit.’
‘Mauricette Schaufelli is very pleasant to work with and of great value in order to keep various options and risks in mind during our projects.’
Key clients
Lufthansa
HAL Investments
Vantiva
Shell
Dutch Ministry of Finance
Eneco
Plus
Rexel
Lineage Logistics
a.s.r.
Sigma Alimentos
Work highlights
Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV
Noted for its ‘exceptional litigation skills’, the team at Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV based in The Hague is well-known for its strong capabilities handling complex EU and competition work. Abuse of dominance, merger control and cartel matters all form part of the practice’s workload. The team is also experienced advising state bodies and representatives of cities in The Netherlands. Experienced practitioner Erik Pijnacker Hordijk leads the team alongside newly promoted partner and co-head Marleen Botman who gained both titles in Janaury 2023; Botman is well regarded for her ‘excellent knowledge of distribution of exclusive rights’ cases.
Practice head(s):
Erik Pijnacker Hordijk; Marleen Botman
Other key lawyers:
Georges Dictus; Jotte Mulder
Testimonials
‘The team has a broad knowledge of the law of the public sector and is a full-service firm with exceptional litigation skills.’
‘Georges Dictus has excellent knowledge of state aid law, whilst Marleen Botman has excellent knowledge of distribution of exclusive rights.’
‘Knowledge, speed and collaboration are key attributes of this team of, above all, friendly lawyers.’
Key clients
Dutch State
Royal FloraHolland
Scandinavian Airlines
ArcelorMittal
Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Royal Cosun
City of Amsterdam
City of Rotterdam
EPS
Dutch Competition Authority (ACM)
Dutch Emissions Authority
Westlake Corp
Het Kadaster
Province of Gelderland
DNB (Dutch Central Bank)
Heineken
Profile
Work highlights
- Representing Mercedes-Benz Group AG in all pending damage actions before Dutch courts in connection with the decision of the EU Commission of 19 July 2016 regarding the Trucks case.
- Representing the State in a test case on the calculation of pensions in the Netherlands with a possible major financial impact €137bn.
- Assisting the Dutch State in the decision to reduce the number of flights on Schiphol.
Stek
The ‘efficient and pragmatic approach’ of Stek‘s EU and competition practice is noted by its clients. Advising on cooperation agreements, distribution and relations matters, and abuse of dominance and state aid cases are all common areas of focus for the team. ‘Very skilled expert and leader in his field’ Ruben Elkerbout oversees the practice and has experience handling antitrust proceedings and merger control matters. Former co-leads of the team Berend Reuder departed to an in-house position in January 2023 whilst Jan Erik Janssen no longer co-leads this team though he remains at the firm.
Practice head(s):
Ruben Elkerbout
Other key lawyers:
Mattijs Baneke; Linde Bremmer
Testimonials
‘Excellent at managing complex antitrust litigation efficiently over a long period of time.’
‘Mattijs Baneke is extremely responsive and provides excellent strategic analysis.’
‘Ruben Elkerbout does a great job of distilling complex antitrust rulings into actionable guidance for non-lawyers.’
‘Stek have the ideal profile and we can always rely on their efficient and pragmatic approach and support.’
‘Ruben Elkerbout is a very skilled expert and a leader in his field.’
‘Ruben has ongoing developments enabling him to give tailored and pragmatic advice. It’s a great pleasure and fun to work with Ruben.’
‘Stek’s EU and competition practice is highly experienced. They know our business very well and give us practical advice.’
‘Mattijs Baneke is practical, and his experience and knowledge is highly valued by us.’
Key clients
Calcasa
Coolblue
Corendon
easyJet
Enexis
Evides
Foresco Group
L’Oréal
Rituals
Netbeheer Nederland
PVH
Samsung SDI
Work highlights
- Represented the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) successfully in preliminary relief proceedings on the legality of the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR).
- Acting as counsel to Greyfield Capital in damages proceedings against Google relating to Google’s practices in the Ad Tech field.
- Advising Global Food Group in relation to sanctions (fine) imposed by the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM) for an alleged buying cartel in the agricultural sector.
Van Doorne
The EU and competition practice at Van Doorne, noted as providing an ‘excellent and top-range service’ to its clients, is co-led by experienced competition practitioner Sarah Beeston who is noted as being ‘a pleasure to work with’, and Gijs Verberne. The team is well equipped to handle the array of complex matters before the ACM and Dutch administrative and civil courts; its work includes advising on matters from alleged resale price influencing to defending cartel fine claims. Senior associates to note include Pim Jansen and Nina Korstenbroek who is noted for her ‘great understanding’ of complex cases.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Beeston; Gijs Verberne
Other key lawyers:
Nina Korstenbroek; Jitske Weber
Testimonials
‘Excellent and top-range service.’
‘A very diverse and excellent team dealing very efficiently with the wide variety of competition law issues. They always follow-up very closely on new developments in competition law and are very hands-on and pleasant to work with.’
‘Sarah Beeston really stands out. She really has an in-depth knowledge about EU and Dutch competition laws. She also manages in an excellent way the outstanding team she works with. She is very hands-on and always looking for pragmatic solutions.’
‘The Van Doorne team is one of a kind – extremely experienced and also very hands-on with pragmatic and business-minded advice. They are also very well-organised and are able to execute complex projects in a timely manner.’
‘Sarah Beeston is is extremely experienced and knowledgeable and a real pleasure to work with. ’
‘A great team with the ability to get to the bottom of competition law problems, while not losing sight of the big picture issue. They did a great job reconciling the demands of the competition authorities and of clients.’
‘We worked with Sarah Beeston and Nina Korstenbroek on a complex digital merger. They had a great understanding of how the market worked and of the many pitfalls of digital mergers more generally. Their clear analysis and communication of the issues was key in getting the case cleared.’
‘Sarah Beeston and Jitske Weber both demonstrate a vast knowledge and willingness to go one step beyond. They both respond and act promptly, not withholding any deviating opinion to us as a client, which is a tremendous advantage when weighing our strategic options and potential routes to follow.’
Key clients
AbbVie
Airport Coordination Netherlands (ACNL)
Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis
Amerpoort
Amsterdam UMC
Domino’s Pizza
Domus Magnus
Dutch Tax Authority
EasyPark
Erasmus MC
Eredivisie
Gelre Ziekenhuizen
Hedin Automotive
Hornbach
Jungheinrich
Live Nation
National Social Housing Guarantee Fund Foundation (WSW)
Navitas Capital
Nimbus
Mediq
Port of Rotterdam
Province of Zuid-Holland
Transport region Amsterdam
TU Eindhoven
Work highlights
- Assisting the Port of Rotterdam in seeking to achieve its ambitious goal of sustainable development through investments and cooperation which are competition law and state aid compliant.
- Representing a leading consumer electronics company in relation to an ACM investigation into resale price influencing.
- Acting for a (former) portfolio company of Nimbus (Meneba) in successfully defending a claim by a former parent seeking redress for a cartel fine imposed on it in its capacity as controlling parent, and currently assisting Nimbus in the appeal proceedings.
BarentsKrans
BarentsKrans‘ The Hague office is home to its EU and competition practice, which is noted as having ‘extensive knowledge and experience’. The team handles a broad-range of contentious and non-contentious matters for its array of clients, with a particular focus on litigation. Its workload includes representing clients at the ACM in matters involving dawn raids, investigations, and merger control issues. European law specialist Joost Fanoy is at the head of the team, and leads in the majority of its follow-on cases; Fanoy also has expertise in cartel proceedings, as well as merger and joint venture matters.
Practice head(s):
Joost Fanoy
Other key lawyers:
Karlijn de Groes; Tim Raats
Testimonials
‘There is extensive knowledge and experience within one office, which is accessible for clients.’
‘Easy to reach, quick responses, accessible.’
‘Tim Raats is great to work with! He understands our complex business and gets a quick grasp of any issue. His advice is practical and in-line with our company’s attitude towards risk.’
Key clients
Global (The Media & Entertainment Group)
Porthos Project
Visma Connect
Selecta
EBS
KPMG
Dura Vermeer
Macedonian Thrace Brewery
BMW
Finco Fuel
Claims Funding Europe
Canon
Heutink
Oshkosh Defense
Albron
BCD Travel
Dell
Jeugdformaat
GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord
Pure Development & Wayland Real Estate
Stichting Sint Antonius Ziekenhuis
Stichting Elevator Cartel Claim
Work highlights
- Advising Interovo Group during the ACM cartel investigation, the related civil proceedings and assisting Interovo with the administrative appeal regarding the ACM decision.
- Assisting KPN with its acquisition of major MVNO Youfone and all merger control related elements of the acquisition.
- Acting for two Dutch comparison websites in a follow-on claim relating to the Google Shopping case against Alphabet, Google LLC and Google Netherlands.
Bird & Bird
Bird & Bird‘s EU and competition practice, based in The Hague, is formed of ‘top lawyers who provide high-quality advice’ to a host of high-profile clients. Team lead Pauline Kuipers has impressive experience handling the array of matters, namely in the telecoms, media and postal sectors. Janneke Kohlen is also key to the team, with expertise in both competition and public procurement matters. Its workload ranges from advising on all aspects of mergers, to defending in alleged violations of EU competition regulations.
Practice head(s):
Pauline Kuipers
Other key lawyers:
Janneke Kohlen; Tialda Beetstra; Joost van Roosmalen
Testimonials
‘Key aspects of the team lie in its collaboration and approach.’
‘Bird & Bird has a low-threshold attitude, is directly approachable and responds quickly.’
‘Both at partner level and in support, they are well-informed about current situations in procurement law and know how to summarise questions quickly and answer them adequately with good advice.’
‘In interlocutory proceedings, they proved to choose a good procedural line and worked this out perfectly.’
‘Accessible, human and sharp.’
‘Janneke Kohlen and Tialda Beetstra are very approachable, very pleasant interlocutors and know how to very quickly and adequately answer the questions at hand when it comes to advice. Both are very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with.’
‘Strong legal expertise in the team.’
‘Top lawyers who provide high-quality advice.’
Key clients
T-Mobile Netherlands B.V.
Cellnex Telecom S.A.
Salta (formerly NCOI) Holding B.V.
Computrain Opleidingen B.V.
Tempur Sealy
PPG
Open Dutch Fiber BV
Marshall Land Systems Ltd.
Blackboard International B.V.
Corbion N.V.
NLdigital
Epson
Work highlights
- Advised and represented T-Mobile in all competition law matters including its judicial intervention in the merger control proceeding at the Dutch competition authority concerning the joint venture between KPN and APG.
- Advised Royal A-ware on the take-over of a producer of grated cheese in the Netherlands, Noordhoek.
- Represented PostNL in appeal proceedings before the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal.
bureau Brandeis
bureau Brandeis houses a ‘fantastic’ EU and competition practice which is noted for its ‘diverse set of skills and talent’. Its clients span a range of industry sectors and its workload involves advising on the broad-range of related work. A key example of the calibre of work the team works on is its defending Pro Agent and the EFAA in their legal battle against FIFA’s new regulations. Bas Braeken is ‘able to give clear advice on complex matters’ and heads up the offering. Hans Bousie and associate Jade Versteeg are key names to note in the team.
Practice head(s):
Bas Braeken
Other key lawyers:
Hans Bousie; Jade Versteeg
Testimonials
‘A fantastic team with a diverse set of skills and talent across the team, who are always a pleasure to work with!’
‘Great thinkers and strategists.’
‘A small team that is very hands-on and responsive.’
‘Bas Braeken is able to give clear advice on complex matters, if needs be, under time pressure.’
Key clients
Walt Disney
ESPN
Aegon
ENGIE
Bastion Hotels
Cleary Gottlieb/Philip Morris
Prijsvrij.nl
Blendle/Cafeyn
AGU
Centraal Boekhuis
European Elite Athletes Association
Multi Tank Card
Bosch Siemens Household Appliances
TIX.nl
Dutch Travel Alliance
Netherlands Online Gambling Association
Axeco
VakantieDiscounter
VTTI
Youfone
Maxeda
Burando
IDH (the sustainable Trade Initiative)
Noordhoff Publishers
Koninklijke Boom Publishers
Sendcloud
TUI
CAI Harderwijk
Evidensia
Pro Agent
Work highlights
- Assisting third parties in the appeal lodged by the International Skating Union (ISU) with the General Court in Luxembourg against the Commission’s decision prohibiting the ISU’s eligibility rules.
- Assisting online travel agent Tix.nl in various competition and consumer law matters.
- Representing a foundation, Stichting FX Claims, that acts on behalf of a number of claimants who suffered damages from antitrust infringements by several of the world’s largest banks in the foreign exchange (or FX) market.
Dentons
Dentons‘ EU and competition team which ‘stands out from the crowd’ is experienced in advising on the range of matters, from acquisitions and unfair competition claims to merger control matters. Antitrust litigation specialist Marc Kuijper is described as having ‘thorough and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of competition law’ and co-leads the practice with procurement expert and ‘true asset’ Bram Braat who is particular adept at advising on both civil litigation and private enforcement matters. Associate Ana María Bruggink departed to private practice in May 2023.
Practice head(s):
Marc Kuijper; Bram Braat
Other key lawyers:
Marc Elshof; Michel Deckers; Anouk Rosielle; Denise Coumans
Testimonials
‘Marc Kuijper and his team have thorough and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of competition law. There is no question they cannot answer and answers always prove to be right, or point out the right direction.’
‘Marc Kuijper himself qualifies as a real business lawyer, not only able to defend or attack in court cases but also able to provide practical and reasonable solutions and realistic plans. He is also very much able to explain very complex cases and details to people less expert.’
‘The team is very responsive, skilled and cooperative. I would strongly recommend this team.’
‘Bram Braat is a true asset who contributes on a strategic and operational level. Bram gives me as a customer a good night’s sleep in the legal cases I have to face.’
‘Marc Kuijper is the most entrepreneurial managing partner I’ve encountered so far. He listens well and never shies away from making an introduction or sincerely asking you what his firm can do to help or improve your situation. Marc actively seeks improvement.’
‘Marc Elshof is on top of his game and easily navigates the needs of the tech industry. This does not limit itself to legal knowledge, he also deeply understands the need for good framework agreements and swift iterations thereof.’
‘Dentons’ EU and competition practice stands out from the crowd. It is the trusted advisor for complex competition advice and litigation.’
Key clients
ALLRAIL
Solidaridad
QTwee Group
Vestel Trading Companies
Interparking
Ricardo Rail
Japan Airlines
Spaansen Holding
Cemaz Industria Eletrônica da Amazonia S.A.
IGB Eletrônica S.A.
Itautec S.A. – Grupo Itautec
Erasmus Universiteit
Maastricht University Medical Center
Zorlu Holding
Rutte Groep
Stichting De Glazen Lift
Samskip
Fairtrade
DutchCanGrow
Village Farms
Imbema
Taxicentrale Witteveen
Plus supermarkten
Noot Personenvervoer
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland
Work highlights
- Represented Gradiente, Cemaz and Itautec in proceedings against cathode ray tubes cartel participants in a multimillion-euro compensation claim for damages suffered as a consequence of the operation of the CRT cartel.
- Advised ALLRAIL in challenging the proposed direct award of a nine-year concession contract of 95% of all Dutch passenger railway transport to the incumbent operator.
- Advised Solidaridad, a global charity that seeks to help disadvantaged producers in developing countries, on the competition law aspects of new efforts to provide workers on farms who produce goods for western consumption a better living standard.
Kennedy Van der Laan
Advising on mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, and handling abuse of dominance allegations in major litigations are all areas of experience for the EU and competition practice at Kennedy Van der Laan. It is equipped to handle matters in both domestic and international contexts. Annemieke van der Beek specialises in payment services work in particular, counsel Martijn van Bemmel has experience advising on matters across the financial, banking, retail, transport and IT sectors, and Martine de Koning has expertise handling commerce and trade work; the three oversee the team.
Practice head(s):
Annemieke van der Beek; Martijn van Bemmel; Martine de Koning
Other key lawyers:
Jelle Blom
Testimonials
‘Kennedy Van Der Laan’s team is oriented towards providing client-friendly and to-the-point advice, and has vast knowledge of competition law and is a pleasure to work with.’
‘We have primarily worked with Martine de Koning and Jelle Blom, and find both to be extremely professional, knowledgeable, and great at coordinating multi-jurisdictional matters.’
‘The commercial and international trade team has excellent knowledge of the broader EU and Dutch regulatory framework for consumers, in particular the regulatory framework relevant for product compliance, sustainability, advertising and greenwashing in commercial practices.’
‘The team members are very approachable and fun to work with.’
‘The team is flexible, efficient and has fast turnaround times.’
‘Martine de Koning and team are always ready to provide support where necessary.’
‘Martine de Koning makes the most complex law sound very understandable and knows how to advise and support franchise organisations through excellent advice re the Dutch Franchise Act and EU competition law.’
Key clients
Nike
Converse
Marriott & Starwood
Hilton
ING
Rabobank
ABN AMRO
VodafoneZiggo
Currence
Betaalvereniging / Dutch Payments Association
VNAB
Port of Amsterdam
GVB
Geldmaat
Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) and Cyclistes Professionels Associés (CPA)
Certis Europe
Bureau Krediet Registratie (BKR)
Work highlights
- Assisting Foundation Right to Consumer Justice with a mass claim against Apple, regarding Apple’s alleged abuse of dominance to the detriment of software developers and consumers.
- Advising Nike in several matters related to its licensed multi-brand and mono-brand operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
- Obtaining approval from the Dutch Competition Authority during the merger filing process for a major acquisition by Straco.
Taylor Wessing LLP
The EU and competition team at Taylor Wessing is well regarded for its abilities to ‘deliver excellent advice and successful results’. It is able to assist its vast portfolio of clients on the range of related cases, particularly in the tech sector. Cartels, abuse of dominance and merger control matters all form portions of the team’s workload. Bram Nijhof is the team lead and public procurement, state aid and competition are his main areas of focus; Nijhof splits his time between Eindhoven and Brussels. ‘Very promising’ senior associate Nick Strous is is a noteworthy team member.
Practice head(s):
Bram Nijhof
Other key lawyers:
Nick Strous
Testimonials
‘Availability, quality of service and industry knowledge make this law firm a great partner for us.’
‘Taylor Wessing is able to provide its services on a variety of subject matters and for a very large office, the team is very approachable.’
‘The individuals are very pro-active in communications and take feedback on board. Furthermore Taylor Wessing understands the dynamics of the company they advise.’
Key clients
RM (Netherlands) 1
De Meeuw
Nowi
De Vos Diensten
Visymo
Stichting PAMM
Buddha to Buddha
D2L Europe Ltd.
Knaap Bikes
Eijffinger
Van Halteren
Kwantum
Dentalair Group
Liebherr
Trust
MBI
Summa College
Vista College
Van Bommel
Heijmans
Vebego
ICS Groep
Acolad Netherlands
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
Knaek
Precirix
Stichting ZOwonen
Deltex
ISH Food Company
Inspire Medical Systems Europe
Pfizer Inc.
DELA
Cycling Service
Work highlights
- Represented De Vos Diensten and RM (Netherlands) successfully in the landmark competition law case regarding the takeover of Sandd by PostNL.
- Obtained a 100% success rate in proceedings for D2L Europe, a market leader in learning management systems.
- Assisted Visymo as one the intervening parties in the final part of the Google case trilogy at the EU’s General Court.
AKD
The EU and competition team at AKD is noteworthy for its abilities assisting clients on various matters, including those involving the FDI regulatory framework, and those at the intersection between competition and consumer law. Grant agreements and applications on financial regulations are also frequent cases for the practice, which is co-led by Pieter Kuypers and Joost Houdijk; both split their time between the firm’s Brussel and Amsterdam offices.
Practice head(s):
Pieter Kuypers; Joost Houdijk
Other key lawyers:
Joris Rijken; Nikee Groot
Testimonials
‘The personal approach and the sincere interest from their employees means you feel at home with the team. You are not treated as a number or as a dossier, the people really think alongside you and your business.’
‘The support they give is very concrete and very practical. They walk you through various scenarios.’
‘Joost Houdijk in particular is a particularly strong counsel. He is very responsive, client-focused and sees the bigger picture.’
‘Joost Houdijk is an excellent lawyer with great understanding of competition law.’
‘The practice is unique in providing solutions that accommodate our business as well as possible. The practice does not only offer excellent legal advice but also tries to think of solutions that are best suited for the business.’
‘Joost Houdijk is a knowledgeable professional that gives advice that is best suited to our business. Joost is always very punctual and friendly. He always manages to make time to assist us in urgent matters.’
‘The EU and competition team provides professional and active support and guidance on all aspects of competition law. AKD has expertise in both regular competition law and sector-specific competition law. AKD always has an eye for the client’s interests and how they can best be served, and thinks along proactively.’
‘Joris Rijken has a high standard of knowledge and is an expert in linking legal aspects of healthcare organisations and financings. He is also thorough.’
Key clients
ProRail B.V.
VINCI Energies Netherlands B.V.
De Hoge Dennen Capital SHI
Achmea
Erasmus Medical Center
Maasstad Medical Center
TransAtlantis
Mediaproduccion SLU
Province of Limburg
Thermo Fisher
ABB
Work highlights
- Representing TransAtlantis Funding in a private damages claim, representing a large number of claims following the EU truck cartel.
- Represented the municipalities of Weert and Nederweert in proceedings at the European Court of Justice following preliminary questions of the Dutch Court of Appeal of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
- Represented the Dutch association for healthcare to handicapped persons and 58 healthcare providers in proceedings against Dutch authorities responsible for procuring healthcare amounting to hundreds of millions of euros per year.
Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie‘s EU and competition cohort is regarded as being ‘very professional and competent’. The team is overseen by Frank Kroes and Frans Muller who joined the team from Clifford Chance as partner in June 2023 and has a focus on antitrust and competition matters. The practice has noteworthy abilities in matters which range from advising on alleged infringements and compliance matters to handling competition infringement litigation follow-on work.
Practice head(s):
Frank Kroes; Frans Muller
Other key lawyers:
Derk Christiaans
Testimonials
‘The team is highly competent, covers all necessary legal areas, has good understanding of customers’ businesses, provides high-quality advice as fast as requested by customers, and has a good network of foreign partners they collaborate with.’
‘For our company it is very important to have quick access to required information.’
‘Derk Christiaans and the broader team are outstanding in their understanding of the urgency that arises at customers’ end.’
Key clients
Accenture
Barclays
FSN Capital
Hitachi Transport System
Egeria
Merck & Co.
Mitsubishi
Royal De Heus
Shell
Work highlights
- Representing Shell in follow-on litigation proceedings following a competition infringement decision by the European Commission in relation to the Dutch market for road bitumen, wherein the state is claiming approximately €65m in damages.
- Represented FSN Capital Partners in securing unconditional Phase I clearance merger control proceedings before ACM, related to the acquisition of sole control over ilionx.
- Representing Barclays c.s. in relation to quasi-class action proceedings initiated in the Netherlands by Stichting FX Claims.
Banning NV
Banning NV‘s EU and competition practice, which ‘combines a solid knowledge of the Dutch competition law scene with a client-oriented approach’ has particular strengths advising on regulatory aspects of matters, namely those assisting clients in the Dutch automotive industry. Merger control matters are another area of focus; the team has experience advising well-known names before the ACM. ‘Outstanding practitioner’ Minos van Joolingen is at the team’s helm; Martijn Jongmans is also a key practitioner to note.
Practice head(s):
Minos van Joolingen
Other key lawyers:
Martijn Jongmans
Testimonials
‘The team is has a broad experience and combines its deep knowledge of competition law with a very healthy dose of pragmatism and responsiveness. It is really on top of things.’
‘The team combines a solid knowledge of the Dutch competition law scene with a client-oriented approach.’
‘Minos Van Joolingen is an outstanding practitioner. We have encountered him mostly in the context of distribution matters in general and automotive issues in particular – Minos’ knowledge therein is outstanding.’
‘Minos van Joolingen’s international experience and in-depth knowledge of competition and automotive law is of distinctive importance. Next to that, he knows how to explain complex issues to all stakeholders.’
‘Minos van Joolingen is driven, has an eye for detail, a practical way of thinking and a comes to a means of resolution.’
‘Minos van Joolingen has gathered a large expertise and automotive network and a good team around it.’
‘We always are happy with the quality of the members of the team.’
‘Minos van Joolingen, is a specialist in competition law with special focus on automotive. He always is up-to-date and his communication skills are very strong. He communicates and negotiates on all levels with lawyers and stakeholders.’
Key clients
Audi
Volkswagen
Seat
Skoda
Citröen
DS
Peugeot
Opel
Fiat
Alfa Romeo
Jeep
BOVAG trade association automotive industry
Belron, Netherlands
Vespa Piaggio
Zero Motorcycles
Electrolux
AGC
DHL
Hunkemöller International
Ricoh group
McCain
Perfetti van Melle
Brand Loyalty
Heras
Udea / Ekoplaza
Van Wijnen group
Agrifirm
BMN
Amacom
Jaguar Land Rover
Renault
Dutch importer of Aiways
Work highlights
- Advising the Dealer councils of Opel and Peugeot/Citroën in the Netherlands and representing more than 130 dealers involved in relation to the allegations brought by Stichting Diesel Emissions Justice and Stichting Car Claim towards the manufacturers, importers and dealers seeking to obtain compensation for customers allegedly affected by “dieselgate”.
- Advising and representing the European Dealer council of Volkswagen and Audi on all dealer and authorised repair related contractual aspects on a frequent basis, including Competition law implications and the introduction of an agency model in Europe.
- Advising and representing the Jaguar Land Rover European Dealer council on all dealer and authorised repair-related contractual aspects on a frequent basis, including competition law implications and the introduction of an agency model in Europe.
CMS
CMS‘ EU and competition cohort has strong capabilities advising on matters in the automotive and energy industry in particular, as well as representing them before the courts. Its client portfolio features a number of well-known names; it advises its clients on matters ranging from mergers, to foreign direct investments, to cartel cases. Edmon Oude Elferink who splits his time between the firm’s Amsterdam and Brussels offices, heads up the team.
Practice head(s):
Edmon Oude Elferink
Other key lawyers:
Petra Heemskerk; Annemieke Hazelhoff
Testimonials
‘They provide solid and comprehensive advice against competitive rates.’
‘They understand business needs and come up with creative solutions to accommodate them.’
Key clients
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Atlas Copco
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Brenntag
Hill International
Diageo
AEB
Kubota Kverneland
AEB
Bios Group
Pon Group
Louwman Group
VolkersWessels
Quatra
Royal Frieslandcampina
Van Gelder Groep
Allego
Indaver
BTG
Dyckerhoff
Work highlights
- Obtained ACM approval for Atlas Copco’s acquisition of Lewa and Geveke.
- Obtained merger clearance for Nuveen’s acquisition of a 15% stake in Dutch offshore wind farm.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper‘s EU and competition team, noted for its provision of ‘hands-on, practical advice’ has Léon Korsten at its helm; Korsten also co-leads the firm’s international practice and is particularly experienced defending clients in the range of cases. Dawn raids, investigations, and cartel defence work, including damages litigation and public and private enforcement in relation to state aid, public procurement and regulated markets, form a large portion of the team’s workload.
Practice head(s):
Léon Korsten
Other key lawyers:
Martijn van Wanroij
Testimonials
‘The team provides very hands-on and pragmatic advice!’
‘The team is very pragmatic and knows the approach of the ACM well.’
‘The focus of the team is on the right items and the cooperation was seamless. The lawyers were also always available.’
‘Martijn van Wanroij knows what he is talking about when it comes to merger control and competition law procedures before the ACM. His advice is clear and he is not afraid to take a position rather than hiding behind caveats.’
‘Finally, Martijn is also standing his ground in front of lawyers of the opponent.’
‘Martijn van Wanroij is knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. He instantly understands the competition issues we face and is able to quickly come up with clear advice or a solution.’
Key clients
Afvalsturing Friesland
Arcadis
Ashland
Ausnutria
Ballast Nedam
Bristol Mayer Squibb
Bayer
Biogen
BPost
Danone
Farmel
ForFarmers
Lely
Opportunity Partners
Philips
Vertex
Work highlights
- Defended Afvalsturing Friesland successfully against State aid and misuse of procurement law allegations in civil litigation.
- Obtained unconditional clearance for the creation of a joint venture in the Dutch dairy sector, bringing together the activities of milk powder and dairy products producer Ausnutria, and cheese maker Amalthea.
- Assisted private equity investor Opportunity Partners to obtain very speedy merger clearance for its acquisition of activities of the bankrupt e-bike and e-scooter provider GreenMo Group, enabling a successful continuation of the acquired businesses.
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Antitrust and competition specialist Hans Urlus, who is adept at assisting with matters in both domestic and international contexts, is at the helm of Greenberg Traurig LLP‘s EU and competition practice, which is well equipped to advise on the array of work, from market entry strategies, to foreign investment reviews, to multi-jurisdictional mergers. Its workload covers industry sectors from oil and gas to insurance. ‘Standout practitioner’ Robert Hardy is another noteworthy team member, with experience representing clients before the ACM and the European Commission; cartel investigations and damages claims are also in his remit.
Practice head(s):
Hans Urlus
Other key lawyers:
Robert Hardy; Ellen de Jong van den Bogaard
Testimonials
‘Robert Hardy is the standout practitioner- his joining has really boosted the practice.’
‘Robert Hardy can analyse and then explain complex legal issues in a clear and simple way – and from there work on hands-on solutions. He has a sharp legal mind. And also a wealth of expertise and experience in antirust and competition. He provides clear guidance on how to mitigate risk too.’
‘Very quick to communicate. They understand our business and competitive environment like no other, and their legal support has been outstanding.’
‘Hans Urlus is our lead attorney and there is never a problem he cannot solve. Ellen de Jong van den Bogaard is adept at RFP related issues and very professional.’
‘The team is very strong and committed. They developed a solid strategy in the process. ‘
Key clients
Allianz
Beheermaatschappij Van Losser B.V.
HaskoningDHV Nederland B.V.
Neptune Energy
Work highlights
- Advised Allianz on the divestment of a business.
- Advised consortium of companies on an acquisition of a divestment business.
- Advised a leading car manufacturer on antitrust and competition, merger control and foreign investment review (FDI) aspects in relation to several proposed transactions.
HVG Law LLP
HVG Law LLP houses an EU and competition team which is led by Misha G. lutje Beerenbroek, and is adept at advising its clients on an array of related matters. Its workload includes obtaining clearance decisions of international competition authorities, designing, implementing and amending distribution networks in the EU, assisting with acquisitions and mergers, and advising on sub-contracting and co-production arrangements. Senior associate Wouter Jans is a key name in the team.
Practice head(s):
Misha G. lutje Beerenbroek
Other key lawyers:
Wouter Jans
Key clients
REMONDIS
Currence
Xiaomi
EY Assurance
Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe
Mitsubishi Logisnext
OV9292
Nichirei
Kawasaki Motors Europe
Fonterra
Novomatic
EyeCare Group
Eurofins Clinical Diagnostics
General Logistics Systems (GLS)
Harvest House
Greenchoice
Bluewater
Work highlights
- Advised Fonterra and DSM on the creation of a highly innovative joint venture and obtained clearance decisions of 7 competition authorities worldwide, including the European Commission.
- Advised Hitachi Construction Machinery on the design and implementation of its exclusive distribution network in the EU.
- Acted as Currence’s lead competition counsel in relation to the intended acquisition of Dutch payment scheme iDEAL by the European Payments Initiative (EPI).