Competition/European Law

White & Case stands out for its work on various significant CJEU appeals against EC decisions, having acted both for addressees and intervening third parties on significant abuse of dominance cases in the pharmaceutical, technology or energy sectors, often involving high quantum fines. The law firm has experience on the sell-side of notable transactions that are subject to phase II EU merger investigations. White & Case has additional expertise in sensitive cases that deal with the alleged provision of misleading information as part of merger control notifications.

Clients highlight the value of the lawyers' regular exposure to top-end contentious mandates. "They know which arguments the court will be most receptive to," says one source, explaining: "They have an insight into how the judges think and how the cases have developed."

Interviewees praise the firm's ability to contribute to "thought leadership or exploratory thinking" in the competition law area.

Advised Google on its appeal against the EC's finding of abuse of dominance in relation to the Android operating system.

Assimakis Komninos represents clients in EC behavioural investigations and related CJEU appeals. He is admitted to the Athens Bar and often handles mandates that involve interaction with national competition authorities in European jurisdictions. "He is great at spotting trends or giving information on which way the courts are about to go," says one client.

Jacquelyn MacLennan is a respected figure in the firm's Brussels competition team who attracts praise for her experience in cartel cases and parallel investigations. She also has experience in the coordination of global merger filings in support of planned transactions in the oil and gas sector.

James Killick leads some of the firm's most high-profile matters, including appeals against considerable fines imposed by the EC for abuse of dominance. He also handles significant EC merger control investigations. "He simplifies things in a way that allows us to provide practical advice to our commercial teams," says one client, while another reports that Killick "has the network, the academic knowledge and the experience" to handle complex matters.

Clients praise Mark Powell 's skill in "simplifying complexity," explaining: "Very rarely does legal advice live in its own legal bubble. It needs to be translated to make sense to business leaders, and his ability to manage that translation is very good indeed." Mark Powell stands out for his work challenging the conduct of behavioural investigations by the EC into alleged cartels.