Clifford Chance‘s competition team is strong at both the French and EU levels, acting for an array of leading France-based multinationals and global companies. Demonstrating particular strength in the digital, energy and pharmaceutical sectors, the team has a broad offering that takes in high-profile merger control cases before the FCA and EC, cartel and abuse of dominance cases before the French and European competition authorities and courts, and state aid procedures. In addition, the firm has growing expertise in the field of foreign direct investment clearances. The highly regarded David Tayar and Katrin Schallenberg, who divides her time between Paris and Brussels, lead the team and are well versed in the full range of merger control, antitrust investigations and state aid. Sara Ortoli is also a key contact.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- "Clifford Chance competition law practice in Paris is a true top-firm within the competition law field. The team has extensive knowledge about French and EU competition law and gives high-quality support in complex investigations. They are very well organized and experienced. Also, for commercial-related matters, they are very good at giving practical and useful advice from a competition law perspective. Clifford Chance is the number 1 firm I would turn to for any competition law-related question in France, and I would give them the highest recommendation."
- "David Tayar has an outstanding knowledge of French/EU competition law and also the practical aspects of dealing with the French competition authority. He is very good at explaining complicated topics in an easy way and is always swift in his responses. He thinks a few steps ahead and presents you with a strategy or answer before you have asked for it, which is highly appreciated. He gives legal advice in a clear and always practically useful way. I can highly recommend David Tayar."
- "Clémence Carlier is a brilliant competition lawyer. She is very knowledgeable and has excellent communication skills. She always gives practical and clear answers to your questions, replies very promptly, and is very professional. I can highly recommend Clémence Carlier."
- "The Clifford Chance competition team in Paris is excellent to work with. They offer commercially focused and actionable advice and help us to look around corners to get ahead of potential issues, rather than being reactive. I feel I can rely on the team to be responsive and to step up to help with a range of issues at short notice."
- "I have worked extensively with Katrin Schallenberg. I have been impressed by her ability to get on top of complex, technical topics quickly and provide advice that demonstrates a strong understanding of our business realities. Overall, she is a trusted partner to our business."
Key clients
- ADNOC
- Adobe
- Amazon
- Amazon Web Services
- Arcelor Mittal
- Ardian
- Airbus
- Ariane Group
- Arkema
- Axa
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.
Katrin Schallenberg
Practice head
David Tayar; Katrin Schallenberg
Other key lawyers
Sara Ortoli; Clémence Carlier