
Department profile
Competition/European Law
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Website
www.clearygottlieb.comChambers Review
Cleary Gottlieb offers outstanding expertise across the full range of EU competition law issues. The law firm's work for leading global IT companies on EU abuse of dominance investigations and subsequent EGC appeal processes is often seen as a clear endorsement of its ability to handle the most sophisticated and high-impact behavioural work. The team has experience in appealing important cartel decisions, as well as representing clients in follow-on damages cases before national courts. Cleary also regularly wins instructions on complex merger control mandates that attract close scrutiny from the EC, including an impressive track record of assisting clients with phase II investigations. Its capacity to coordinate related US, UK and other international filings through its global network is an additional benefit to companies undertaking multi-jurisdictional transactions. The firm's more high-profile state aid work recently has centred around key clients challenging the introduction of various measures to support airlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Work Highlights
- Cleary Gottlieb represented Google in its appeals before the EGC and ECJ connected to the Commission's decisions in the Android and Online Search abuse of dominance investigations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is absolutely excellent - the lawyers are responsive and their work product is terrific."
"The firm's ability to unravel complex issues in order to provide practical guidance is unmatched."
"The lawyers are excellent, resourceful and dependable."
"The team is very responsive and client-focused."
"The team is absolutely excellent - the lawyers are responsive and their work product is terrific."
"The firm's ability to unravel complex issues in order to provide practical guidance is unmatched."
"The lawyers are excellent, resourceful and dependable."
"The team is very responsive and client-focused."
Notable Practitioners

Antoine Winckler is recognised among market commentators as a hugely experienced and high-profile figure within the Brussels competition law community. He attracts particular attention for assisting with sophisticated merger control mandates. As a member of both the Paris and Brussels Bars, he has further experience representing clients in behavioural investigations before the French Competition Authority.
"Antoine Winckler is a very strong strategic adviser. He is knowledgeable, pragmatic and overall a pleasure to work with."

Maurits Dolmans is a renowned figure in the EU competition law community. He splits his time between London and Brussels and is known for his work on significant behavioural mandates for sophisticated multinational companies.
"Maurits Dolmans is an exceptional lawyer and it is always a fantastic experience working with him."

Robbert Snelders acts for some of Cleary's most high-profile clients on behavioural and merger control mandates. He has experience in transactions that necessitate the negotiation of significant remedy packages with the EC.
"Robbert Snelders is the best in the market. He demonstrates an unparalleled combination of sophistication, pragmatism and decisiveness."

Francisco Enrique González-Díaz offers a combined experience of working within the EC and handling sophisticated merger control mandates in private practice. He is also well versed in advising on contentious issues, including the submission of antitrust complaints to the EC.
"I would recommend Francisco Enrique González-Díaz, who handles all our cases well. We feel very well supported by him."

François-Charles Laprévote is best known for his contentious state aid work. He assists complainant third parties with ECJ proceedings seeking to challenge the provision of state aid to the aviation sector. He is a member of the Bar in both Paris and Brussels, and has further experience representing clients in behavioural investigations and merger notifications before the FCA.
"He knows how to get his message across, even in the most difficult situation, with a calm and educational manner."

Nicholas Levy is a London and Brussels-based competition law specialist who attracts strong praise for his understanding of both the CMA and the EC. In addition to his impressive reputation for merger control work, Nicholas Levy has experience in abuse of dominance cases.
"He is one of the top lawyers in this area. He is what I would call a master of realism: he tells you very quickly when you are being fanciful and have no chance of winning, which is sometimes exactly what you need to stop wasting time."
"He is a hugely renowned merger control lawyer."

Thomas Graf has played a prominent role in several of the firm's high-profile abuse of dominance cases in the technology sector.

Romano Subiotto KC wins instructions acting for interested parties and defendants on EC behavioural investigations. He is also well known as a skilled litigator who assists with EGC appeals against EC competition decisions. He is a member of the UK Bar and splits his time between London and Brussels. He is known for his experience in cases connected to antitrust in sports.
"Romano Subiotto is a smart man and a good litigator."

Christopher Cook handles both EU and wider global merger notifications in support of high-value corporate transactions.
"I've been very pleased with Christopher Cook and commend his flexible, client-focused approach."

Patrick Bock has notable experience advising on complex merger investigations in the energy sector.
"Patrick Bock is great to work with. He is very knowledgeable, and provides reliable and pragmatic advice."
"He is not just good to work with but also very effective."
Isabel Rooms joined the Cleary Gottlieb team in Brussels in April 2022. She enters the rankings due to excellent market feedback and an impressive list of sophisticated mandates that illustrate comprehensive skills and experience in the competition law sphere.
"Isabel Rooms is a dynamic and good lawyer and definitely a name to watch."
Ranked Lawyers at
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
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