Jones Day’s EU state aid team is noted for its collaborative approach, frequently liaising across offices, including London, on complex subsidy matters. Philipp Werner leads the team, providing guidance on energy, banking, telecoms, and infrastructure sector issues, as well as privatisations, restructurings, and insolvencies. Eric Barbier de la Serre serves as the primary contact for state aid litigation before the EU Court of Justice. Sarah Blazek joined the firm in January 2026 from Noerr.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team consists of experienced and skilled professionals, each of them an expert in their field, forming together a highly efficient legal team working hand-in-hand with the client towards the final goal. Their in-depth knowledge of European Union law is unmatched and an invaluable asset when facing complex supra-national issues.’
- ‘I would specifically mention partners Philipp Werner and Philippe Laconte, both incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, skilled communicators and effective problem-solvers.’
- ‘Very professional approach with the capability to guide the client through hurdles. We appreciate their commitment, responsiveness, and overall pragmatic approach.’
- ‘Very high level of expertise in state aid law; highly responsive; they know how to reduce complexity in complex cases.’
- ‘Philipp Werner: Very intelligent and competent; very pleasant and straightforward collaboration.’
Key clients
- Federal State of Hesse (Ministry of Finance)
- RWE AG / RWE Power AG
- EDF (Electricité de France)
- Luminus (subsidiary of EDF)
- Grand-Duché du Luxembourg - Ministre d'Etat
- CargoBeamer AG
- Eastern European Commodity Exchange
Work highlights
Provided State aid law advice to the German Federal State of Hesse (Ministry of Finance) on the restructuring of Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen (Helaba).
Advising and representing RWE AG and RWE Power AG as third-party interveners in an action for annulment brought by five companies against the EU Commission State aid decision authorising the State aid provided by Germany to the client relating to the lignite-exit in Germany.
Advised EDF (Electricité de France) in securing the European Commission's approval of EUR 300m in State aid from the French State to support R&D activities in the field of Small Modular Reactors ("SMRs").
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.
Sarah Blazek
Practice head
Philipp Werner
Other key lawyers
Sarah Blazek; Alexandre Verheyden; Charlotte Breuvart; Mario Todino; Eric Barbier de la Serre; Philippe Laconte; Bijan Tavakoli; Kristina Music; Anne-Sophie Perraut