Europe Europe-wide International Trade/WTO

Sidley Austin is recognised as a superb choice for handling all stages of WTO proceedings, acting for governments across the world and for affected corporates or industry associations on cases that have significant implications for global trade and intergovernmental relations. The law firm benefits from highly regarded teams in Geneva and Washington, DC that have demonstrable experience in complex cases, including those that raise arguments over the use of national security as a justification for trade restrictions. Brussels-based partners act for clients seeking either to avert or to overturn the imposition of EU trade remedies within the context of anti-dumping or safeguard investigations. Sidley Austin also handles customs matters related to Brexit, as well as trade policy and strategic advisory work.

Van Bael & Bellis offers an outstanding practice with a tremendous reputation for work opposing the imposition of trade remedies by the European Commission, acting for an impressive range of clients that includes exporters of biofuels and steel products. The firm represents European companies in investigations carried out by the EC and other trade authorities across the world, with notable experience in cases involving Asian jurisdictions. Key partners are also well known for their presence in WTO proceedings. It handles diverse customs matters, including disputes with national customs authorities and CJEU referral cases concerning the application of customs law in complex cases.

White & Case benefits from a broad trade law offering spread across Geneva, Brussels and London, and works closely with its Washington, DC office. The lawyers have extensive experience in trade defence matters on behalf of steel industry clients, having acted on the complainant side of highlight mandates including the EU's steel safeguard investigation. The firm acts for chemical producers and other industrial clients on investigations carried out by trade authorities. Well-reputed lawyers in Geneva advise key government clients and corporate third parties on WTO disputes. The White & Case trade team earns further praise for its capacity to handle both global sanctions compliance matters and diverse customs matters, including disputes over the customs classification of key products.

Dentons acts for a consolidated client base of Russian steel product manufacturers that regularly face the imposition or extension of trade remedies by the EC or other trade authorities. The law firm also counts Chinese industrial producers and government bodies among its key clients, advising on anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguarding investigations in Europe and the Middle East. Dentons stands out for activity in EAEU trade defence investigations. It earns praise for its work on the design and implementation of global sanctions compliance programmes.

Fieldfisher has a standout presence on the complainant side of EU trade defence investigations. The lawyers assist industry associations and individual producers with the preparation of complaints, with subsequent EC investigations and with requests for the extension of trade remedies through expiry review procedures. The law firm also has experience acting on the defendant side of investigations brought by foreign trade authorities against EU manufacturers. Fieldfisher offers further expertise in export control and sanctions matters for companies seeking to minimise sanctions enforcement risk.

Gide Loyrette Nouel is a key complainant-side practice, assisting EU steel and biofuel producers and fish importers with the imposition of new trade remedies or with the defence of the same in interim or expiry reviews. The law firm handles trade investigations carried out in foreign jurisdictions, with proven experience in the defence of EU-based companies facing GCC, EAEU, Moroccan and Turkish trade defence investigations. Gide has built up a strong Brussels-based team of individuals with previous experience working within the EC and WTO.

Jones Day advances in the rankings in recognition of its flourishing Brussels trade practice. The firm handles trade disputes, often acting for exporters and industry associations based outside the EU on EC anti-dumping investigations and on related litigation before the CJEU in Luxembourg. The lawyers have further experience in sanctions and export control compliance mandates.

The international trade/WTO team at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld comprises experienced Geneva-based partners who often team up with colleagues in Washington, DC to advise government clients on disputes brought before the WTO. The firm handles sanctions matters out of the London office, advising companies on internal audits and on actions required to address potential sanctions issues. Akin Gump also advises on export control matters relating to the sale of heavily regulated products and assists with customs licences.

Hogan Lovells has a significant Brussels practice that is highly active in export control and sanctions compliance mandates. The firm advises on specific trade law issues pertaining to the defence sector. It assists with regulatory matters flowing from transactions that raise national security concerns and REACH regulations. The Hogan Lovells team has a strong customs practice, acting for global companies on compliance with EU customs rules and litigating adverse customs classification decisions before national courts. It also represents key clients in trade remedy mandates at the EC.

King & Spalding is a popular choice for trade policy mandates, with a highly-regarded Geneva team that advises governments on the development of new trade laws. The firm represents interested third parties and sovereign states in WTO dispute settlement proceedings and safeguarding investigations. It is also active for industry boards in EC investigations and has additional experience advising on international sanctions regimes and applications for licences. It is further reputed for its handling of anti-dumping matters.