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.
- 'Pierre Zelenko is very available, reactive and always provides thoughtful and helpful analyses. He capitalizes on his deep knowledge of competition law, very extensive experience and knowledge of our sector to come up with practical and pragmatic solutions. He is one of the very best in the market.'
- 'We have worked with Nicolas Zacharie, who is an expert in the field, always attentive to his clients, available, a skilled negotiator, pragmatic, and very pleasant to work with. He always has a positive approach, asks the right questions to understand the issues and provides the most accurate advice.'
- 'The Linklaters competition law team remains a benchmark in the French legal market. They have extensive knowledge of the health/pharmaceutical sector (which is a great asset) and its specificities; as such, the advice provided is always tailored to this sector.'
- '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 a partner with remarkable interpersonal skills, always extremely involved in the substance of cases – something that is perhaps becoming increasingly rare in the market. His advice is invaluable. His ability to understand and communicate with business teams is also a real asset.'
- 'Thomas Elkins: Very available and proactive; clear and concise; commercially minded; humble; and very friendly. He manages his teams very well.'
- 'Matthieu Blaney is a rising star in French competition litigation. He is capable of providing tailored strategic advice for case management and excels at conducting cases in court.'
- Pierre Zelenko is one of the best lawyers in France in the area of competition law. He has a deep knowledge in his area of expertise, and he is very reactive and pragmatic. He also has very extensive experience, given the variety of cases he has been involved in. I don’t hesitate to instruct him on the most complex and challenging matters for the bank.
- Pierre Zelenko and Olivier d'Ormesson are recommended.
- A high-quality team capable of handling large-scale projects. Extensive experience in complex competition cases, particularly before French and European courts.
Key clients
- Nestlé
- InfraVia
- 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
- I-Squared Capital
- EPEX
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
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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