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.
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Profile
Work Department
Antitrust & Competition Law; Technology; Energy Transition & Infrastructure
Position
Partner
Career
Philipp Werner focuses on German and EU competition law, State aid law, and the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). He has extensive experience advising clients in EU, German, and multi-jurisdictional merger control matters. He also advises on antitrust compliance, including internal investigations and audits, compliance programs, and compliance training. A major part of his practice relates to EU and German cartel and abuse of dominance investigations and counselling. Philipp is a recognized leader for high-profile State aid cases, advising and representing government and public bodies, aid beneficiaries, and third parties in particular in EU Commission investigations and before the European and national courts. Philipp leads the Firm's FSR Task Force and is advising clients on FSR compliance, assessment of notification requirements, and notifications in M&A and public procurement cases. Philipp serves clients across a variety of sectors, in particular IT and telecom, energy, chemical, transport and infrastructure, as well as life sciences and health care industries.
Languages
English, French, German, Spanish, Polish
Education
- King's College London (Postgraduate Diploma in Economics for Competition Law with distinction 2008);
- Second State Examination (Higher Regional Court of Berlin, 2005);
- University of Cambridge (LL.M. with first class honours 2003);
- University of Bonn (M.A. in Philosophy 2002);
- First State Examination (Higher Regional Court of Cologne, 2000)
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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.’
‘Philippe Laconte: Advice with foresight; excellent cooperation in larger teams.’
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).