Linklaters stands out for its deep expertise in all aspects of EU and competition law. The team has impressive capabilities in both French and European matters, with a diverse caseload that includes high-level merger control filings and FSR matters, sensitive cartel and abuse of dominance investigations by the competition authorities and appeals before the national and European courts, private enforcement and follow-on damages actions, as well as state aid cases. Highly accomplished partners Thomas Elkins and Pierre Zelenko, who has a wealth of experience handling cases before the European Commission, lead the team. Nicolas Zacharie and Matthieu Blayney also come highly recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Very business-oriented, with an excellent understanding of business needs and the risk appetite of the company. Efficient and personable, with a very high level of experience in competition law matters. Invoicing is fully automated and aligned with the technology that we use.
- Pierre Zelenko and Nicolas Zacharie are recommended.
- Pierre Zélenko obviously possesses unparalleled experience working with the European Commission. He is also excellent at client relations, extremely responsive, and has a keen understanding of how and when to effectively present the client's case to the Commission. He also managed the negotiated budget perfectly. Mathieu Blaney was also particularly efficient in drafting the legal brief, despite a very tight deadline.
- Pierre Zelenko and Maëlys Duval. Maëlys has a very efficient approach and knows the needs and risk approach of our organization very well.
- A well-oiled and highly organised team. The department is very large and well-structured for greater efficiency. We've had the same contacts for several years, which also facilitates case management and understanding of the specific issues facing our company. Regarding service quality, the team is proactive and never hesitates to take the initiative. Billing is very transparent.
- On our project, Pierre Zelenko managed to quickly assemble a strong team which was particularly motivated and competent.
- An extremely professional and highly competent team, particularly on competition law issues.
- Pierre Zelenko is undoubtedly one of the leaders in the French market: very solid experience, a keen understanding of the issues, strategic acumen, and excellent interpersonal skills. Thomas Elkins is efficient and very pleasant to work with. Matthieu Blainey is a rising star, already possessing significant experience in complex cases, sound judgment, and a pragmatic approach.
- I have worked with Linklaters and Pierre Zelenko for more than a decade, and I consider them our go-to advisor for competition law issues. I consider Linklaters in Paris one of the very best teams in the market. They have a deep knowledge of our sector and can provide relevant advice, not limited to law, but also taking into account business considerations.
- Thomas Elkins is recommended.
Key clients
- Nestlé
- InfraVia
- Intermarché
- Biogroup
- Credit Mutuel
- LG Electronics
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Engie
- Axa
- Société Générale
- Crédit Agricole
- Froneri
- Compass group
- Air France
- Ardian
- CDPQ
- EQT
- Association Value of Beauty
- Atos
- Capgemini
Work highlights
Advised a leading French medical laboratory in relation to suspicions of anticompetitive practices in the medical biology sector.
Advised Atos on proceedings before the French Competition Authority, accusing the company of having entered into anticompetitive no-poach practices with competitors when providing technology and IT services to clients in the aeronautics, aerospace, and defence sectors.
Represented Herta in its appeal to the Paris Court of Appeal of the sanction decision of the French Competition Authority in the ham and sausages cartel case.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
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Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Pierre Zelenko; Thomas Elkins
Other key lawyers
Nicolas Zacharie; Matthieu Blayney