CMS covers the full range of domestic and EU competition mandates, handling both contentious and non-contentious matters in the technology, railway and pharmaceutical sectors. Annabelle Lepièce specialises in foreign subsidies regulation and foreign direct investment matters, and is well-regarded for her litigation and State aid experience. Dirk Van Liedekerke is regularly relied upon by clients in the tech, sports and pharmaceutical sectors for his experience in handling abuse of dominance and cartel investigations. Michael Bauer is highly experienced in State aid matters. The three co-lead the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The collaboration with CMS team is always a uniquely smooth and professional experience, due to the highly experienced individuals taking care of our cases and the rich legal expertise on domains of interest for our business. ’
- 'Good collaboration on sensitive cases. Good knowledge of the market and the ecosystem as well as the various players. Good access to the local authorities, helping to support and defend our case. Strong expertise in competition law.'
- 'Annabelle Lepiece: attention to detail, rich expertise on competition cases and European Law, proactive attitude, strategic vision, and a comprehensive approach.'
- ‘Outstanding expertise and experience, and excellent access to decision makers and public officials.’
- 'Michael Bauer has strong expertise in competition law and case management in front of local/EU competition authorities.'
- ‘Outstanding expertise and experience on competition law, including State aid law.’
Key clients
- FIFA
- Proximus
- Blue, Train, TC Partner and La Deuxième Phase
- Cluj Airport
- Jaguar Land Rover
- SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH
- German Federal Government
- Krone
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partner
- Belgian State
- Walloon Region Energy & Infrastructure
- Omya
Work highlights
Represent FIFA in the Diarra litigation before the Belgian courts.
Represent Jaguar Land Rover in relation to parallel investigations by the CMA and European Commission.
Advising SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH on merger control and conducting the merger control proceedings as well as the FSR notification procedure before the European Commission in connection with the acquisition of all shares in WIGA from its previous co-shareholder Wintershall Dea.
Practice head
Michael Bauer; Annabelle Lepièce; Dirk Van Liedekerke