Ranking tables
UK London (Firms) Competition Law
Band 2
- Allen & Overy LLP
- Ashurst
- Herbert Smith Freehills
Band 3
- Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Hogan Lovells
- Latham & Watkins
- Macfarlanes LLP
- Norton Rose Fulbright
Band 4
- Baker McKenzie
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
- Travers Smith LLP
- CMS
- Eversheds Sutherland
- Pinsent Masons
Band 5
- Bristows LLP
- DLA Piper LLP
- Shearman & Sterling LLP
- Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
- Simmons & Simmons LLP
Band 6
Senior Statespeople
Eminent Practitioners
Band 1
- Ali Nikpay Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Bertrand Louveaux Slaughter and May
- Claire Jeffs Slaughter and May
- Deirdre Trapp Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Nicole Kar Linklaters
- Paula Riedel Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
- Simon Priddis Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Simon Pritchard Latham & Watkins
- Nigel ParrAshurst
Band 2
- Alasdair Balfour Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
- Alastair Chapman Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Antonio Bavasso Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
- Bruce Kilpatrick Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Cameron Firth Macfarlanes LLP
- Greg Olsen Clifford Chance LLP
- Isabel Taylor Slaughter and May
- James Aitken Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Jenine Hulsmann Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
- Marc Israel White & Case LLP
- Nicholas Levy Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Nigel Seay Travers Smith LLP
- Suyong Kim Hogan Lovells
- Brian SherCMS
Band 3
- Alexander Potter Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Jonathan Parker Latham & Watkins
- Martin McElwee Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Nelson Jung Clifford Chance LLP
- Philipp Girardet Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
- Rona Bar-Isaac Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Stephen Smith Bristows LLP
- Alan DavisPinsent Masons
- Duncan LiddellAshurst
- Oliver BretzEuclid Law
- Ros KellawayEversheds Sutherland
- Stephen WiskingHerbert Smith Freehills
Band 4
- Alex Nourry Clifford Chance LLP
- Andrew Hockley Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
- Caroline Hobson Cooley LLP
- Davina Garrod Akin
- Deirdre Taylor Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Diarmuid Ryan Squire Patton Boggs
- Jackie Holland Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Juan Rodriguez Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
- Keith Jones Baker McKenzie
- Malcolm Walton Macfarlanes LLP
- Mark Jones Jones Day
- Matthew Readings Shearman & Sterling LLP
- Natura Gracia Linklaters
- Philip Mansfield Allen & Overy LLP
- Trudy Feaster-Gee Stephenson Harwood LLP
- Angelique BretPinsent Masons
- Euan BurrowsAshurst
- Ian GilesNorton Rose Fulbright
- Peter HarperEversheds Sutherland
- Satyen DhanaSimmons & Simmons LLP
Band 5
- Al Mangan Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Angus Coulter Hogan Lovells
- Frances Murphy Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
- Gillian Sproul Greenberg Traurig, LLP
- James Webber Shearman & Sterling LLP
- John Schmidt Arnold & Porter
- Lisa Wright Slaughter and May
- Luis Gomez Baker McKenzie
- Matt Evans DLA Piper LLP
- Michele Davis Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Omar Shah Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
- Patrick Harrison Sidley Austin LLP
- Paul Gilbert Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Ruchit Patel Ropes & Gray LLP
- Sally Evans Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
- Sam Szlezinger DLA Piper LLP
- Sarah Smith DLA Piper LLP
- Timothy R.W. Cowen Preiskel & Co LLP
- Vincent P Brophy Sidley Austin LLP
- André PretoriusHerbert Smith Freehills
- Julia Woodward-CarltonEversheds Sutherland
- Neil CuninghameAshurst
- Tobias CasparyFried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
- Veronica RobertsHerbert Smith Freehills
Band 1
1 Clifford Chance LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 1 |Clifford Chance remains a particularly popular choice for clients from the financial services, telecommunications and technology sectors for competition law matters. The law firm offers market-leading expertise in phase I and II merger clearance investigations before the CMA, in addition to acting on high-value foreign direct investment filings. The firm's wider network of offices facilitates the in-house coordination of pan-European or transatlantic merger filings. The team further stands out for its ability to assist clients with CMA investigations into alleged breaches of competition law and market studies. In addition, it represents both claimants and defendants in contentious matters before the CAT, as well as acting on a number of appeals against CMA fines, often in the pharmaceutical sector.1 Freshfields Bruckhaus DeringerCompetition Law2024 | Band 1 |Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer enjoys an excellent reputation for activity across all aspects of competition law. The law firm is highly sought after by international companies from diverse sectors for merger filings before the CMA, with recent experience handling phase II investigations, as well as advising on notifications of foreign direct investment. The London office collaborates with colleagues across the global to handle multi-jurisdictional merger clearances. The team is also highly regarded for representing clients in CMA investigations into possible breaches of competition law, as well as sector inquiries carried out by a range of authorities. The firm boasts a strong bench of competition litigators who defend clients in a number of high-profile follow-on damages actions, including collective proceedings. It also offers experience advising on state aid matters.1 LinklatersCompetition Law2024 | Band 1 |Linklaters stands out for its experience in major domestic merger control filings that attract considerable objection from competitors and intense scrutiny from the CMA. The team earns further praise for activity in high-profile follow-on damages claims and for the handling of UK-based private enforcement actions, including defending clients in class action proceedings. It works together with colleagues in Brussels and other offices to advise on obtaining clearance for global mergers. The firm additionally assists clients who are subject to behavioural investigations, and advises them on appeals against fines imposed by the CMA. The team also has experience advising on matters under the UK's new subsidy control regime.1 Slaughter and MayCompetition Law2024 | Band 1 |Slaughter and May stands out for its ability to handle high-profile merger clearance mandates, assisting clients with phase I and II reviews before the CMA, as well as acting on highly contentious merger filings that involve disputes around jurisdictional issues. The law firm also offers notable experience in foreign direct investment filings and coordinates wider global regulatory approvals with counsel based in relevant jurisdictions. The team handles behavioural and market investigations for major clients, and also boasts notable experience acting on abuse of dominance investigations and standalone claims brought in the UK courts. It enjoys a market-leading caseload of follow-on damages and collective proceedings, defending claims filed against various international clients. It also maintains a strong state aid practice, often assisting the providers of the subsidy.
Band 2
2 Allen & Overy LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 2 |Allen & Overy offers clients notable strength in the competition law aspects of transactions, advising on foreign direct investment and National Security and Investment Act issues, as well as phase I and II merger clearances. The law firm's broad practice also encompasses behavioural investigations and subsidy control matters. The team also has experience in contentious competition law matters and has also assisted clients with issues arising from cooperation between companies on sustainability grounds. The team also works closely with members of the firm's Brussels office on matters before the European authorities.
Band 3
3 Addleshaw Goddard LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 3 |Addleshaw Goddard advises clients on a broad range of competition law matters. The law firm has notable experience in market studies, carried out by the CMA and other authorities. In addition it assists clients with obtaining regulatory approval for corporate transactions, including advising on the National Security and Investments Act and on merger clearance reviews. Furthermore, the team represents clients in CMA investigations into potential anti-competitive behaviour.3 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 3 |Cleary Gottlieb offers a strong competition law practice, often assisting clients with obtaining regulatory clearance for high-value corporate transactions. In addition to assisting clients with phase II merger reviews before the CMA, the law firm also represents clients in CMA sector inquiries and investigations into possible breaches of competition law before both the CMA and other regulators. Team members are also active in competition litigation, usually defending clients in collective proceedings and follow-on damages actions. The team works closely with the firm's market-leading practice in Brussels to advise on matters that involve both the UK and EU authorities.3 Hogan LovellsCompetition Law2024 | Band 3 |Hogan Lovells has a broad competition law practice that includes advising clients on merger notifications to the CMA and representing them in investigations into alleged breaches of competition law. The firm is also active in competition litigation matters, representing defendants in follow-on damages claims and collective actions. Team members have further experience of handling mandates under the new UK subsidy control regime.3 Latham & WatkinsCompetition Law2024 | Band 3 |Latham & Watkins is particularly known for advising on the competition law aspects of corporate transactions, assisting clients with foreign direct investment notifications and with phase II investigations before the CMA. The London office often collaborates with the firm's highly regarded offices in other jurisdictions to assist with the competition law clearance of multi-jurisdictional mergers. In addition the team has experience in behavioural investigations before the CMA. The firm has expanded its bench with the hire of the highly regarded Simon Pritchard in the spring of 2023.3 Macfarlanes LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 3 |Macfarlanes assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. The law firm has notable recent experience defending clients in high-profile follow-on damages claims, including class actions, as well as assisting them with challenges to authority decisions. On the non-contentious side, the team has experience in phase I and II merger reviews before the CMA and in behavioural investigations. Team members also act on subsidy control mandates and advise on whether companies can collaborate on sustainability grounds without breaching competition law.
Band 4
4 Baker McKenzieCompetition Law2024 | Band 4 |Baker McKenzie often assists clients with merger control filings and FDI notifications, including representing clients in phase II reviews before the CMA. Clients benefit from the firm's broad global network for transactions that require filing in multiple jurisdictions. In addition, the law firm acts for clients on sector inquiries and the competition compliance aspects of distribution agreements. The team also has experience in appeals against authority decisions and in follow-on damages claims. It has a number of clients from the technology and pharmaceutical sectors.4 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 4 |Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a notable contentious competition law practice, offering experience in stand-alone and follow-on damages actions, representing both the defendants and claimants in high-profile cases. The law firm also acts for clients on investigations into possible breaches of competition law conducted by UK regulators. In addition, the team assists with FDI filings and merger control notifications.4 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 4 |Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher moves up in the rankings this year on the back of assisting clients with obtaining merger clearance following phase I and II CMA investigations for several high-value transactions. The law firm also has experience in foreign direct investment notifications. In addition the team has experience in behavioural matters, including assisting clients with CMA market investigations and defending them in allegations of breaching competition law. It is a popular choice with private equity houses, as well as with clients from the technology and sporting sectors.4 Kirkland & Ellis International LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 4 |Kirkland & Ellis has a strong focus on assisting clients with obtaining competition law clearance for corporate transactions, including advising clients on phase I and II merger reviews and on foreign direct investment filings. The law firm is well known for acting for private equity houses on merger control mandates. In addition, the team has experience in behavioural investigations before the CMA.4 Travers Smith LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 4 |Travers Smith assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. The law firm often defends clients in high-profile follow-on damages cases. On the non-contentious side, the team is active in merger clearance mandates before the CMA, as well as advising clients on obtaining FDI and NSIA approval. It also represents clients in behavioural investigations, including before the FCA. The team assists clients with competition law compliance issues.
Band 5
5 Bristows LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 5 |Bristows is a popular choice with clients from the technology and pharmaceutical sectors for advice on the full range of competition law matters. The law firm has experience in merger clearance and NSIA filings, as well as in behavioural complaints, appeals against authority decisions and damages actions. Team members also have experience in state aid matters. The firm is known for its ability to handle matters that overlap between intellectual property and competition law.5 DLA Piper LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 5 |DLA Piper is particularly active in assisting clients with obtaining foreign direct investment approval and merger clearance notifications, including phase I reviews before the CMA. In addition the law firm acts on behavioural investigations, disputes before the CAT and appeals against behavioural fines. Team members offer further experience in subsidy control matters. Clients benefit from the team's ability to work together with colleagues based abroad.5 Shearman & Sterling LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 5 |Shearman & Sterling has a strong focus on assisting multinational clients with obtaining FDI and merger control approval for cross-border transactions. The law firm has additional experience in market investigations carried out by UK regulatory authorities and in state aid mandates. The team works closely with its colleagues in Brussels and New York on multi-jurisdictional mandates.5 Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 5 |Willkie Farr & Gallagher has a prominent team in competition litigation, with experience representing both claimants and defendants in high-profile follow-on damages actions and collective proceedings. The law firm also represents clients in CMA investigations into possible anti-competitive conduct and advises on merger clearance reviews. The team further assists clients with competition law compliance.
Band 6
6 Covington & Burling LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 6 |Covington & Burling enters the rankings this year on the back of the law firm's involvement in a number of large multi-jurisdictional merger clearance mandates, often in cooperation with its offices in the US and Brussels. The team has additional experience advising clients on claims of anti-competitive behaviour and other CMA investigations. Team members also assist clients with foreign direct investment filings. It is a popular choice with clients from the pharmaceutical, sporting and technology sectors.6 Jones DayCompetition Law2024 | Band 6 |Jones Day's London office handles a broad range of competition law matters, including advising clients on obtaining merger clearance approval from the CMA and representing clients in sector studies and investigations into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour before various UK regulatory authorities. Team members offer additional experience in competition litigation matters, often defending high-profile financial sector clients in damages actions. The team has experience acting alongside the firm's other offices in Europe on multinational matters.6 Sidley Austin LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 6 |Sidley Austin often acts for clients on foreign direct investment filings and merger clearance reviews before the CMA, representing both the transacting parties and interested third parties. The team also assists clients with behavioural investigations and market inquiries before various UK regulatory authorities. The law firm further advises on competition compliance matters such as licensing agreements. The team in London often collaborates with the firm's Brussels office.6 White & Case LLPCompetition Law2024 | Band 6 |White & Case enters the rankings this year on the back of its broad competition law practice, with experience representing clients in merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings, as well as in CMA behavioural investigations and sector inquiries. In addition, the law firm has experience in contentious competition law matters, defending clients in follow-on damages actions and collective proceedings. The team often works closely with the firm's well-regarded office in Brussels.