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Freshfields
Department profile | Freshfields
Competition/European Law

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/European Law - Germany

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Freshfields remains one of the standout firms in this area, with the ability to handle both contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. The team frequently acts on the competition and foreign direct investment clearance of high-value mergers, as well as appealing against decisions to prohibit transactions on competition law grounds. The lawyers offer notable expertise in behavioural investigations, representing clients in allegations of abuse of dominance or cartel involvement, and defending them in follow-on damages actions. The firm is a popular choice with clients from the automotive and technology sectors. In addition to its teams in Berlin and Düsseldorf, Freshfields also benefits from having a number of German-qualified lawyers based in its top-tier Brussels office to handle matters before the European Commission and Bundeskartellamt.

Work Highlights

Provided by Freshfields

  • Freshfields advised Volkswagen on obtaining competition law clearance for a joint venture between its software company CARIAD and Horizon Robotics.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"Freshfields is the best in the market."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"I have an incredibly positive impression of Freshfields."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"Freshfields sets the industry standards."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"The team has the ability to understand complex arguments and make efficient use of the information."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"The lawyers are very responsive, and give very clear and actionable advice."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Frank Montag
Frank Montag
Expertise Based Abroad
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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Martin Klusmann
1
Martin Klusmann
1
Band 1
Martin Klusmann remains a market-leading individual in Germany, particularly in the field of merger clearance. He is additionally able to handle complex challenges to decisions to prohibit mergers on competition law grounds. He has a strong behavioural practice, representing clients in cartel investigations and defending them in subsequent damages actions. He is particularly popular with clients from the automotive industry.
"He is the best lawyer I have ever met."
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Thomas Wessely
Thomas Wessely
Expertise Based Abroad
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."
"He is good to work with because he is really adaptive in how he works."
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Helmut Bergmann
3
Helmut Bergmann
3
Band 3
Based in the firm's Berlin office, Helmut Bergmann often advises clients on merger control mandates. In addition, he represents clients in investigations into possible cartels.
"He is very knowledgeable on multiple European jurisdictions and is thoughtful on tactics."
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Tobias Klose
3
Tobias Klose
3
Band 3
Based in Düsseldorf, Tobias Klose acts for clients on merger control filings and foreign direct investment notifications, as well as representing them in follow-on damages claims arising from cartel investigations. He has additional experience in cartel proceedings.
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Uta Itzen
3
Uta Itzen
3
Band 3
Uta Itzen boasts a broad competition law practice, assisting clients with merger clearance filings, behavioural investigations, antitrust compliance and follow-on damages litigation.
"She is very open in communication and gives a good understanding of the risk or areas for justification."
"She is very friendly and easy-going, really fun to work with."
"Uta gave strong and consistent advice and guidance throughout the process."
"She is responsive, gives actionable advice, is open to adapt and has the ability to receive feedback and be there for a dialogue."
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Thomas Lübbig
4
Thomas Lübbig
4
Band 4
Berlin-based Thomas Lübbig assists clients with merger clearance notifications and foreign direct investment filings.
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Ranked Lawyers at
Freshfields

Provided by Chambers
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Germany

Competition/European Law
Martin Klusmann
1
Martin Klusmann
1
Band 1
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Helmut Bergmann
3
Helmut Bergmann
3
Band 3
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Tobias Klose
3
Tobias Klose
3
Band 3
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Uta Itzen
3
Uta Itzen
3
Band 3
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Thomas Lübbig
4
Thomas Lübbig
4
Band 4
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Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad
Frank Montag
Frank Montag
Belgium expertise based abroad
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Thomas Wessely
Thomas Wessely
Belgium expertise based abroad
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