Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is widely recognised for its ability to handle complex, high-profile competition mandates at both the French and EU levels, with a comprehensive offering which spans both transactional and contentious matters. The team is frequently engaged by a blue-chip client base of national and global companies to advise on major merger control cases, with particularly strong expertise in multi-jurisdictional matters, and is equally adept at representing clients in high-stakes cartel and abuse of dominance investigations and subsequent litigation. Frédéric de Bure and Séverine Schrameck jointly lead the Paris practice, while Stéphanie Patureau is another key name.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Frédéric de Bure and Martha Smyth stand out for their conscientious, proactive, and pragmatic approach. Their ability to anticipate clients' needs, propose tailored solutions, and provide high-quality advice is a testament to their valuable expertise.’
- ‘Competence, understanding of the subject and informed opinions.’
- 'Frédéric de Bure: both technically skilled and business-oriented, with a real understanding of business issues. Takes a strategic view. Taieb Otmani: very responsive, precise and pragmatic.'
- 'The team is very efficient and pragmatic in its approach to problems. Proactive in proposing and finding solutions.'
- 'Séverine Schrameck has a precise yet pragmatic approach to competition issues. She has an in-depth understanding of the sectors of the clients she advises and is adept at anticipating the challenges they face with the authorities.'
- ‘The team has several strengths, including the ability to work very well with its various offices and lawyers in Europe and the ability to deliver very informed advice and very high-quality work.’
Key clients
- Vivendi
- Whirlpool
- Auchan
- Veolia Environnement S.A.
- Airbus
- Accor
- Louis Delhaize
- Whirlpool
- Latour Capital
- Valeo
- Warburg
Work highlights
Representing Vivendi in connection with the European Commission’s gun jumping investigation, opened on 25th July, 2023, in the context of the acquisition of Lagardère by Vivendi.
Representing Airbus in connection with the merger control and foreign direct investment aspects of the parallel acquisitions by Boeing and Airbus of Spirit AeroSystems, a major global supplier of aerostructures.
Recently handled the European Commission merger control and Foreign Subsidies Regulation filings relating to Veolia's acquisition of Uniper Hungary.
Lawyers
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
Frédéric de Bure; Séverine Schrameck; François-Charles Laprévote; Anita Magraner Oliver; Antoine Winckler
Other key lawyers
Stéphanie Patureau; Hugo Gilli; Martha Smyth; Taieb Otmani