Known for defending and prosecuting high-profile abuse of dominance claims, Clifford Chance LLP houses a strong and well-established bench of competition litigators. 'Deeply experienced, and hugely productive', the team also regularly secures appeals opposing CMA decisions. Samantha Ward is a leading commercial litigator who focuses on competition litigation, cartel investigations, and administrative law. Luke Tolaini is noted for his experience with excessive pricing investigations in the pharmaceutical sector. Matthew Scully aids clients with enforcement issues, follow-on and stand-alone competition damages claims, and petitions for injunctive relief. Ben Jasper's efforts are central to some of the firm’s key appeals to CMA decisions. Elizabeth Morony retired from the practice in November 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Luke Tolaini is a star performer able to leverage skills from white-collar litigation into competition litigation to great effect.'
'Ben Jasper is a partner in all but name with astonishing output levels.’
‘The Clifford Chance competition team is at the top of their game: deeply experienced, and hugely productive, they field excellent teams that work very well together and with others.’
‘Samantha Ward is client-focused, strategic, and very agile. Commands trust from clients and is an excellent leader of her team. A joy to work with.'
- 'Ben Jasper is understated and thoughtful, but also very quick and sharp, tending to cut to the heart of a matter. A great pleasure to work with.'
- 'Nissim Massarano is extremely smart, deeply versed in competition law, and all over the detail of the most complex case.’
‘Sam Ward has been an excellent adviser - her calm and assured delivery of tricky nuanced advice has been appreciated at all levels of the company.'
- 'Charles Joseph is super at getting on top of the facts and has a terrifyingly acute memory for all the detail.'
Key clients
- BT/EE
- Pfizer
- Cinven
- Wasserman
- CAA Base
- Citi
- Barclays
- Alpharma
- Xellia Pharmaceuticals
Work highlights
Acted for EE in its successful defence of a high-profile claim brought on behalf of the administrators of Phones 4U.
Acted for leading talent agencies in challenging the implementation of new rules proposed by FIFA and the FA that sought to restrict the activities of agents operating in the UK.
Representing Pfizer in the ongoing phenytoin litigation concerning excessive pricing.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Samantha Ward
Other key lawyers
Luke Tolaini; Matthew Scully; Ben Jasper; Nissim Massarano; Charles Joseph