Competition/European Law: State Aid | Europe

Hans Gilliams maintains a solid reputation in Belgium for handling matters that involve interaction with the BCA. Gilliams also acts on high-profile state aid matters, including work for beneficiaries on the appeal of EU findings of illegal state aid through advance tax rulings.

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.

In addition to his superb state aid practice in the energy and aviation sectors, Jacques Derenne advises on French or Belgian litigation and any related EGC preliminary referrals that examine the application of EU law in member states. He is admitted to the Paris and Brussels Bars.

Massimo Merola has a longstanding reputation as one of the top choices for complex state aid matters. He acts for beneficiary companies or their representative bodies on EC state aid investigations, on EGC appeals or on their role in the notification of new state aid measures. Massimo Merola is also central to the firm's wider EU competition practice, assisting clients with merger clearance notifications. He is admitted to practice in Italy and often advises Italian clients on state aid matters before the Italian authorities.

Ulrich Soltész is a top lawyer in the state aid field, and as a German-qualified lawyer he regularly represents German companies and public bodies in connection to EC state aid investigations. In addition to his contentious state aid work, Ulrich Soltész leads a wider range of competition matters including EGC appeals against EC merger decisions or the filing of abuse of dominance complaints against competitors.

In addition to her state aid advice to aviation sector clients, Annabelle Lepièce is known for her work on behalf of predominantly francophone public bodies seeking to notify or respond to challenges to state aid measures. She also has a broader domestic competition law practice that includes contentious behavioural matters.

Moving up this year is Elisabetta Righini who is known for having experience in state aid as both a private practitioner and from her previous role at the Commission. She has notably acted for complainants to the EC and EGC alleging unlawful aid and is adept at advising on new regulations.

François-Charles Laprévote is best known for his contentious state aid work. He assists complainant third parties with ECJ proceedings seeking to challenge the provision of state aid to the aviation sector. He additionally assists with the approval of state aid provisions. He is a member of the Bar in both Paris and Brussels, and has further experience representing clients in behavioural investigations before the FCA.

Hendrik Viaene of McDermott Will & Emery LLP showcases his state aid expertise in his work on behalf of beneficiaries either facing new Commission investigations or appealing EC decisions on tax rulings. He is equally well placed to ensure companies remain compliant with state aid measures. He acts for the Belgian state and regions on the notification of state aid measures, while his highlight competition law mandates include advice on the defendant side of BCA cartel investigations.

Alfonso Lamadrid demonstrates impressive work highlights representing high-profile clients from the technology sector before both the European Commission and the CNMC. He has experience in standout cases seeking the annulment of EC fines imposed against IT companies for abuse of dominance. Alfonso Lamadrid additionally exhibits high levels of activity on seminal state aid matters, where he has successfully represented clients in appealing EC state aid decisions before the EGC.

Francesco Maria Salerno is admitted to practice in both Italy and Brussels and is the managing partner of Gianni & Origoni's Brussels office. He exhibits a focus on complex state aid matters. He is particularly active advising Italian clients, providing general state aid advice as well as representation before EU courts in contentious cases, such as recently in connection to COVID relief measures by the State. As part of his broader competition law practice, Francesco Maria Salerno stands out for his experience in telecoms or IT sector merger control and FDI mandates that are filed before the Italian competition authorities.

Johan Ysewyn has a notably broad practice across state aid, as well as merger filings and cartel investigations that fall within the remit of either the BCA or the EC. His state aid practice is characterised by strong aviation sector expertise, while his top-tier domestic ranking is based on his capacity to handle sophisticated contentious and non-contentious BCA matters.

José Rivas is known both for his activity in EU litigation seeking to challenge EC decisions and for his varied work on behalf of clients in the sports and aviation sectors. He also handles merger clearances, advice relating to international companies' distribution models and state aid disputes.

Karel Bourgeois makes his debut in the rankings this year with solid experience advising public bodies and clients in regulated sectors on state aid appeals and investigations before the European Commission. His practice also extends to the notification of state aid schemes to authorities.

Lena Sandberg shows visibility on notable state aid matters, with a particular focus on infrastructure projects in the transport sector.

Maria Segura Catalán is a founding member of Brussels state aid boutique Clayton & Segura. She is known among market commentators for her work on behalf of European governments in important state aid cases.

Nina Niejahr has a busy state aid practice that includes representing clients in appeals against state aid decisions, as well as advising on the approval of state aid filings, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.