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Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: EU - Belgium

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton 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.

Strengths

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton consistently delivers high-quality work, exhibits profound expertise, and maintains a client-centric approach.

The team's commitment to excellence, client understanding and effective solutions truly set the firm apart.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton possesses a deep bench with excellent individuals at all levels of seniority.

The lawyers at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton are very business-focused, flexible and have short response times.

The team navigated complexities with remarkable skill and precision.

Work Highlights

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advised Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) regarding the EC's phase II investigation of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

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 brings significant expertise to the table, contributing greatly to the success of a project.

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, most notably in the technology sector.

 

Maurits Dolmans is driven by all the right reasons and a real delight to work with, both personally and professionally.

 

Maurits Dolmans is incredibly generous with his time and wisdom and is a real thought leader.

Francisco Enrique González-Díaz is a market leader who 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 as well as decision appeals.

 

He is an antitrust super computer and his ability, energy, stamina and passion combined with his intelligence and deep understanding of the law makes him the best antitrust lawyer in Europe.

 

Francisco Enrique González-Díaz is a top practitioner.

Robbert Snelders acts for some of Cleary's most high-profile clients on behavioural mandates, including appeals against European Commission decisions before the General Court. He has experience in transactions that necessitate the negotiation of significant remedy packages. His practice is equally equipped to deal with compliance with new regulations.

 

Robbert Snelders helps drive the successful resolution of competition challenges both within the EU and globally.

 

Robbert’s deep understanding of our business, strong relationship-building skills, and wealth of experience in the field of anti-trust, have made his work truly outstanding.

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 additionally assists with the approval of state aid provisions. He is a member of the Bar in both Paris and Brussels, and has further experience representing clients in behavioural investigations before the FCA.
 

François-Charles Laprévote is an excellent communicator and strategist as well as being very thoughtful and commercially focused.

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 phase I and II merger control work, Nicholas Levy has experience in high-profile abuse of dominance cases. He has notable experience in mandates in the technology sector.
 

Nicholas Levy is a top lawyer.

 

Nicholas Levy provides clear advice and has good availability.

Thomas Graf is lauded for his role in high-profile abuse of dominance cases in the technology sector, as well as appeals against European Commission decisions before the General Court.. He is equally equipped to advise on matters pertaining to the Digital Markets Act.

 

Thomas Graf is truly excellent.

Christopher Cook handles both EU and wider global merger notifications in support of high-value corporate transactions.
 

Christopher Cook is a source of authority when it comes to EU competition law.

 

He is easy to deal with.

 

Christopher Cook is an excellent lawyer.

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.

Isabel Rooms is a seasoned practitioner frequently mandated on multi-jurisdictional merger clearance mandates for high-profile clients in the technology sector. She enjoys a solid reputation in assisting clients with phase II investigations by the European Commission and is adept at handling behavioural mandates.

 

Isabel Rooms is a knowledgeable practitioner.

Patrick Bock has notable experience advising on complex multi-jurisdictional merger investigations in the appliances sector.

 

Patrick Bock is an excellent partner who is accessible and commercially driven.

 

Patrick is an excellent lawyer and played a major role in the outstanding outcome we achieved.

 

Patrick Bock is a sensible and pragmatic lawyer.

Ranked Lawyers at
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Belgium

Competition/European Law: State Aid

2
François-Charles Laprévote
2
Band 2
Competition: EU

S
Antoine Winckler
S
Senior Statespeople
S
Maurits Dolmans
S
Senior Statespeople
1
Francisco Enrique González-Díaz
1
Band 1
1
Robbert Snelders
1
Band 1
2
Nicholas Levy
2
Band 2
2
Thomas Graf
2
Band 2
4
Christopher Cook
4
Band 4
4
Romano Subiotto KC
4
Band 4
6
Isabel Rooms
6
Band 6
6
Patrick Bock
6
Band 6
F
François-Charles Laprévote
F
Foreign expert for France