Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is well-versed in handling complex cross-border merger control mandates, high-profile cartel investigations and abuse of dominance cases, as well as standalone litigation disputes. The team has deep expertise in the technology, digital markets and pharmaceuticals sectors. The practice is led by Kyriakos Fountoukakos, a highly experienced competition lawyer who handles investigations and transactions both in the EU and globally. A further key contact is Lode Van Den Hende, who offers deep expertise in EU and trade matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The HSF Kramer team is extremely knowledgeable in the area of the law that we needed expertise in. They are providing us with very sound and balanced advice on the issues we are facing.’
- ‘We mainly use HSF Kramer for Kyriakos Fountoukakos' valuable expertise and experience’
- ‘Kyriakos Fountoukakos has a deep understanding of competition legal theory and CJEU litigation, which makes him a great asset when dealing with complex and novel legal issues.’
- ‘Best-in-class expertise and insider-level familiarity with government implementation.’
- ‘Kyriakos Fountoukakos: One of the best. Combines professorial smarts with special-ops level handling and strategic advice.'
- ‘The team has a lot of expertise and works very hard. They are trustworthy for complex and cross-border merger filing matters.’
Key clients
- Mitsubishi Motor Corporation
- The Coca-Cola Company
- United Group B.V.
- VTTI B.V.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
- Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co.
- Singtel
- Deutsche Telekom
- SK Telecom
- SoftBank Corp.
- Paloma Rheem Holdings Co., Ltd
- The Weir Group PLC
Work highlights
Advised Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in relation to parallel cartel investigations by the European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") into automotive end-of-life vehicles recycling.
Advised United Group and its Greek subsidiary Nova on a merger notification to the European Commission of the acquisition of joint control over Alpha Satellite TV.
Advised The Coca-Cola Company in resolving a coordinated action by the European Commission and the CPC Network of consumer protection authorities in relation to recycling claims.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Kyriakos Fountoukakos
Other key lawyers
Lode Van Den Hende; Morris Schonberg; Camille Puech-Baron; Peter Rowland