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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Department profile | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Competition: EU

About

Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Primarily through its Brussels office, Skadden advises clients regarding the rapidly evolving areas of European Union (EU) law, including a full range of competition issues (e.g. merger control, cartels and Articles 101/102 (formerly Articles 81/82)). Several of our resident attorneys are qualified to practice Belgian law and are members of the Brussels bar. Our attorneys include nationals admitted to practice in various Member States within the EU. 

Our attorneys handle matters in the following principal categories: EU and other non-U.S. cartel, antitrust, merger control laws and other EU competition, liberalization and regulatory issues. Our Brussels-based attorneys regularly coordinate with their U.S. and Asian colleagues on global merger and antitrust cases.

Skadden’s Brussels office is recognized as having one of the top practices in the area of European Union and International Competition by Chambers Europe, IFLR 1000 and The Legal 500. In 2024, Skadden ranked as an “Outstanding” firm in Global Competition Review’s survey of Brussels’ top competition practices. Attorneys in our practice are fluent in Dutch/Flemish, English, French, German, Greek, Spanish and Italian.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: EU - Belgium

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom benefits from a strong pipeline of major M&A transactions, including US strategic investments into Europe and vice versa. The strength of its Brussels-based practice earns the firm roles on transactions that are subject to detailed investigation by the EC and that often necessitate the negotiation and implementation of complex remedy packages. The firm is particularly popular with clients from the technology sector and often assists with challenging decisions under the EU's novel Digital Markets Act. Skadden also acts on important EU behavioural mandates, including investigations into potential collusion.

Work Highlights

Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

  • Skadden represented ANSYS, Inc. in its proposed USD35 billion acquisition by Synopsys, Inc.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The team at Skadden is highly experienced and delivers efficient and practical solutions. 

Competition: EU respondent
Global

The lawyers at Skadden exhibit understanding of the industry, business acumen and a pragmatic approach.

Competition: EU respondent
Global

I really appreciate the team's cross-jurisdictional support.

Competition: EU respondent
Global

Skadden has a good understanding of both current and novel competition law issues.

Competition: EU respondent
Global

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Frederic Depoortere
1
Frederic Depoortere
1
Band 1

Frederic Depoortere garners significant praise for his involvement in Skadden's most high-profile merger control work. He is experienced in complex multi-jurisdictional mandates and has represented clients in phase II reviews by the European Commission.

Our experience working with Frederic has been exceptional. I appreciate the quality of advice, the partnership, the proactivity and the fact that he always thinks ten steps ahead.

Frederic Depoortere is an excellent lawyer.

Frederic Depoortere is a great jurist, perfectly knowledgeable about case law and very good with managing clients effectively.

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Ingrid Vandenborre
1
Ingrid Vandenborre
1
Band 1

Moving up into our top band this year is Ingrid Vandenborre. She has a market-leading practice that encompasses both merger control mandates and significant cartel investigations. She is particularly active in matters involving the technology and financial services sectors.

She is a key opinion leader in the field, who is knowledgeable, pragmatic and has strong business acumen.

Ingrid Vandenborre is a particularly effective and efficient practitioner.

Ingrid is a first-class lawyer. She is very sharp, an excellent communicator, and is dedicated to her clients.

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Bill Batchelor
4
Bill Batchelor
4
Band 4

Bill Batchelor has standout experience in merger clearance matters and often assists clients in the technology sector with challenging decisions under the EU's novel Digital Markets Act.  He is admitted to the Bar in Brussels, as well as England and Wales, where he regularly assists with interactions with the CMA.

I would definitely recommend Bill Batchelor.

Bill is quick on his feet and writes very well.

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Ranked Lawyers at
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Provided by Chambers
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Band

Belgium

Competition: EU
Frederic Depoortere
1
Frederic Depoortere
1
Band 1
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Ingrid Vandenborre
1
Ingrid Vandenborre
1
Band 1
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Bill Batchelor
4
Bill Batchelor
4
Band 4
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Members

Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates