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Freshfields
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Competition: EU

About

Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category: http://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/what-we-do/services/antitrust-and-competition/


Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: EU - Belgium

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is held out as a market leader for advice on complex EU competition law issues. The law firm has the ability to bring together specific sector expertise and a deep understanding of the EC to advise on phase II merger investigations into planned transactions, including in the shipbuilding, telecommunications and natural resource sectors. The firm has acted on appeals and subsequent damages claims against merger prohibition decisions made by the EC. It represents defendants in abuse of dominance or cartel investigations initiated by the EU authorities. Key partners have a strong reputation for their handling of contentious state aid mandates, including important cases that relate to the provision of tax breaks to defendant companies. Freshfields also has an important domestic Belgian competition law practice that handles BCA cartel investigations, merger control issues and follow-on damages claims filed in Brussels.

Work Highlights

Provided by Freshfields

  • Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer assisted MásMóvil with the merger control proceedings for its proposed EUR18.6 billion joint venture with Orange.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"Freshfields has proven expertise, always gives pragmatic advice and has a global practice."

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

"The team does not only have very in-depth expertise but is also very solution-oriented and pragmatic. It dares to make legal business decisions together."

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

"It is a very strong team with a strong workload capacity. Its analyses are very precise and smart."

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

"Freshfields' ability to grasp complex and sophisticated matters quickly is impressive."

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

"There are very few firms that can match the quality of service that Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer offers. Its competition, antitrust and trade team is absolutely top-tier, always providing high-quality work within short timeframes."

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Onno Brouwer
S
Onno Brouwer
S
Senior Statespeople
Onno Brouwer is an experienced litigator known for his work on competition law-related CJEU proceedings. He also represents clients in EC investigations and in merger clearance mandates. He splits his time between the firm's Brussels and Amsterdam offices and has additional experience representing clients in ACM investigations.
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Andreas von Bonin
1
Andreas von Bonin
1
Band 1
Andreas von Bonin skilfully handles major state aid litigation on behalf of beneficiary companies. He is held out as a high-profile figure in the state aid space, advising prominent European clients on state aid issues, such as recently in connection to energy markets, as well as COVID-19 government measures.
"He is a longstanding feature of the state aid scene in Brussels."
"Andreas von Bonin has in-depth experience in state matters. He is knowledgeable, complies with timelines and always follows up with clients."
"What makes him a good lawyer is that he knows what he is talking about. He is very good in the legal matters he gives advice on."
"He has a very pragmatic view and is creative with a very good view on what is really crucial and what is less so. You do not lose time on the battlefield on things that are not important."
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Frank Montag
1
Frank Montag
1
Band 1
Frank Montag has a well-established reputation as a top Brussels-based competition lawyer. He is best known for his merger control work, having handled notable phase II investigations on behalf of manufacturers. He offers additional experience in abuse of dominance investigations and appeals against cartel decisions. He is also German law-qualified and is a sought-after adviser to well-known German companies.
"He has been one of the leading lights for a long time."
"He has a perfect overview of what is happening in a case."
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Thomas Janssens
2
Thomas Janssens
2
Band 2
Thomas Janssens heads the Freshfields global antitrust group and is credited with handling several of the firm's most sophisticated EU-level matters, including merger clearances in the technology sector and anti-competitive investigations. He is also a central figure in the firm's domestic Belgian competition law offering, representing clients in BCA investigations.
"He is knowledgeable on the technical side and can explain concepts of his area to non-experts."
"He is someone who inspires his team and they are really behind him."
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3
Rafique Bachour
3
Band 3
Rafique Bachour defends clients in EU cartel investigations and assists with global merger filings. In addition to covering merger notification procedures, he also acts on foreign direct investment aspects.
"Rafique Bachour is very charismatic and clever. He really is a great guy."
"Rafique Bachour is just extremely impressive. He is really knowledgeable of the law, very pragmatic when dealing with issues, and cuts straight to the chase."
"His advice is very sophisticated, direct and business-savvy. It is always a great pleasure to work with him."
"He is quite a heavy hitter."
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Sascha Schubert
3
Sascha Schubert
3
Band 3
As head of the firm's Brussels antitrust practice, Sascha Schubert handles sophisticated merger control and FDI matters for global corporates, earning him a promotion in the rankings this year. He also has notable experience in antitrust proceedings and compliance with EU regulations. His client list includes well-known companies in the telecommunications and technology sectors.
"He is fantastic, has the knowledge, gets along with everybody and is a fantastic team player."
"Sascha Schubert is dynamic in his thinking and flexible in his approach while making sure the client gets the best legal, pragmatic and actionable advice."
"Sascha Schubert is very good, calm, measured and involved in complex matters."
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4
Laurent Garzaniti
4
Band 4
Laurent Garzaniti is known for his work on merger notifications, having handled standout recent mandates in the electric vehicles and raw materials sectors. He additionally acts for prominent clients on EC investigations.
"Laurent Garzaniti always gives expert advice, is pragmatic and focuses on our needs. He knows our company quite well and is always very well informed about pragmatic solutions he can offer."
"Laurent Garzaniti is a strategic thinker and a highly skilled competition lawyer. His advice is always wise and very relevant."
"He could provide practical input based on his experience."
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Thomas Wessely
4
Thomas Wessely
4
Band 4
Thomas Wessely attracts particular praise for his activity in significant cross-border transactions in the telecoms sector. Thomas Wessely is based in Brussels and is also qualified to practise in Germany, where his work also includes advising clients on antitrust risks.
"Thomas Wessely is an excellent guy and super easy to work with."
"Thomas Wessely provides well-balanced and pragmatic advice not only in merger control but in general competition law aspects."
"Thomas Wessely is good to work with because he is really adaptive in how he works."
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Tone Oeyen
6
Tone Oeyen
6
Band 6
Joining the numerical rankings this year is Tone Oeyen, who caters to a client base of well-known multinationals and receives recognition for his handling of EU merger control investigations. He also has experience in antitrust investigations and appeals against Commission decisions, particularly in the technology sector.
"Tone Oeyen always gives expert advice, and is very approachable and customer-centric. He has very good communication skills."
"He is really very smart, practical, clear on advice, always available and helpful in navigating some challenging issues. He is a terrific lawyer."
"Tone Oeyen is a very pleasant person to work with."
"Tone Oeyen takes the time to go into the details and explain, which is reassuring."
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Ranked Lawyers at
Freshfields

Provided by Chambers
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Band

Belgium

Competition/European Law: State Aid
Andreas von Bonin
1
Andreas von Bonin
1
Band 1
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Competition: Domestic
Thomas Janssens
3
Thomas Janssens
3
Band 3
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Competition: EU
Onno Brouwer
S
Onno Brouwer
S
Senior Statespeople
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Frank Montag
1
Frank Montag
1
Band 1
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Thomas Janssens
2
Thomas Janssens
2
Band 2
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3
Rafique Bachour
3
Band 3
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Sascha Schubert
3
Sascha Schubert
3
Band 3
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4
Laurent Garzaniti
4
Band 4
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Thomas Wessely
4
Thomas Wessely
4
Band 4
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Tone Oeyen
6
Tone Oeyen
6
Band 6
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