Competition Law

Deirdre Trapp is highly esteemed for her broad competition law practice, offering notable expertise in both merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings and in CMA investigations. Her recent work has included phase II merger investigations and issues of allegedly exclusive agreements.

Rod Carlton has notable experience in merger clearance and National Security and Investment Act filings. He also assists clients with investigations before the CMA.

"Rod Carlton is a seasoned competition practitioner with a wealth of experience, and he uses this to deliver tailored, commercial advice."

"He is always happy to listen to different perspectives and takes account of commercial realities and objectives when delivering legal advice."

"Rod Carlton is responsive, proactive and a pleasure to deal with."

Mark Sansom stands out for his representation of defendants in high-profile follow-on damages claims, including acting on some of the most significant class actions currently before the CAT. He acts as the managing partner of the Freshfields London and Dublin offices.

"Mark Sansom is very unflappable, very experienced and has huge knowledge of this area."

"Mark Sansom has an enormous amount of expertise that he brings to bear excellently."

"I have never encountered a partner with the relentless energy, focus and good humour that he has."

"I think he has the incredible ability to grasp the key issues and give very sensible, constructive and clear advice to the client. His view on how things play out is extremely valuable."

"He is unrivalled; he is such a professional and has a huge brain. You know you are in good hands with him. He is so thoughtful."

Simon Priddis has a strong reputation for advising clients on a range of competition law matters, including acquisitions, investments and joint ventures, as well as assisting with market inquiries. He has substantial experience acting in theretail, pharmaceutical and private equity sectors.

"Simon Priddis is strong and solid."

Alastair Chapman has a strong focus on the competition law aspects of transactions, advising clients on merger clearance filings as well as foreign direct investment and National Security and Investment Act issues. He also advises clients on their involvement in market studies. He is the global head of the firm's antitrust, competition and trade group.

"Alastair Chapman is very strategic. He has a real understanding of how things fit into our strategy and draws connections."

"He is a highly experienced adviser who knows our business incredibly well."

"Alastair Chapman is very knowledgeable, very pragmatic and seems to understand our business. He is very eager to work with us and respond to our needs."

"He distils and understands complex matters quickly and is able to present the advice in an accessible and commercially sound way."

"He uses his understanding of what we have done in the past to advise on the potential impact of future things."

Head of the firm's London antitrust litigation team, Bea Tormey has notable experience defending clients in private damages actions arising from European Commission cartel investigations. She also assists clients with appeals against fines imposed for alleged breaches of competition law.

"Bea Tormey has amazing substantive knowledge of the case and a high level of technical excellence."

"Bea Tormey is a very experienced partner who is super sharp and provides great, strategic advice."

"Bea Tormey gives sensible advice backed by excellent technical knowledge and commercial awareness. She is well prepared, highly responsive and excellent with clients."

"Bea Tormey is the total package; a quick legal mind who gives commercial and thoughtful advice."

"Bea Tormey is really outstandingly good. She is very strategic, extremely nice to work with, very clever and she runs a team really efficiently."

James Aitken has a broad competition law practice that encompasses both merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings as well as behavioural investigations and market inquiries carried out by the CMA and other regulatory bodies. He has further experience assisting clients with appeals against European Commission decisions.

"James Aitken is a brilliant merger lawyer who has really good judgement and is a really good expert."

"James Aitken is really sound, strategic and thoughtful. You can tell he brings a lot of experience to things."

"He is super bright and committed."

"He makes you feel like your matter really matters to him."

Nicholas Frey defends clients in private damages actions following decisions in investigations into possible abuses of dominance or cartel involvement. He has notable experience in high-profile class action proceedings, as well as assisting clients with appeals against fines. He counts transport and financial services companies amongst his clients.

"Nicholas Frey is super smart, a great strategist, always well prepared and accessible to clients."

"He is a real pragmatist and is completely unflappable."

"Nicholas Frey is an excellent litigator and strategist who thinks around the problem and plans well for possible scenarios."

"He is really hard-working and really fights his corner. He has been prepared to make brave calls and take strategic risks that have paid off."

Alexander Potter often assists clients with merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings, representing them before the CMA in phase I and II investigations.

"Alexander Potter is superb in his analysis and has a brilliant way of communicating with clients at all levels. We feel lucky to have him on our side."

"He is a go-to resource."

"I think he is a solid practitioner who gives good advice."

Martin McElwee often assists clients with obtaining CMA clearance for multi-jurisdictional mergers and investigations into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. He also has experience advising clients on market studies.

"Martin McElwee has a really detailed understanding of our industry and is pragmatic."

"He is sharp, organised, efficient, brilliant with clients and really unflappable."

"His substantive approach and commitment to the client were immense."

"I worked with Martin McElwee extensively and I thought he was genuinely outstanding."

"Martin McElwee is really exceptional."

Michele Davis operates a broad competition law practice that encompasses merger clearance, foreign direct investment and national security filings, as well as CMA investigations. She also has experience advising high-profile technology sector clients on Ofcom market studies.

"She is very user-friendly; she listens and she is very good at what she does."

"Michele Davis has always been a rockstar of her generation and will continue to be."

"Michele Davis is great and easy to get along with."

"She is clear about what she thinks needs to be done."

Ricky Versteeg is an increasingly prominent lawyer who assists household names from the finance and automotive industries with follow-on damages claims and opt-out collective actions before the CAT.

"Ricky Versteeg is a sophisticated operator who is focused on delivery for his clients."

"He is a real energetic powerhouse."

"He is brimming with very creative ideas and nuanced and sophisticated insights on strategies and potential points to make."

"He is very thoughtful and thinks things through to the nth degree."

"He is a fantastic lawyer and has a lovely manner with people. He really cares."