Competition: EU
Europe Guide 2024 : Belgium
Band 1
Chambers Review
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton offers outstanding expertise across the full range of EU competition law issues. The law firm's work for leading global IT companies on EU abuse of dominance investigations and subsequent EGC appeal processes is often seen as a clear endorsement of its ability to handle the most sophisticated and high-impact behavioural work. The team has experience in appealing important cartel decisions, as well as representing clients in follow-on damages cases before national courts. Cleary also regularly wins instructions on complex merger control mandates that attract close scrutiny from the EC, including an impressive track record of assisting clients with phase II investigations. Its capacity to coordinate related US, UK and other international filings through its global network is an additional benefit to companies undertaking multi-jurisdictional transactions. The firm's more high-profile state aid work recently has centred around key clients challenging the introduction of various measures to support airlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Work Highlights
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton acted for Illumina on its appeals before the EC and ECJ following the Commission's decision to block its acquisition of GRAIL.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Cleary team we work with has relevant and detailed understanding of technological as well as legal matters and is able to explain complex issues in a simple way."
"The firm really adds value to all our positions. It deeply knows our business and our problems."
"What I really appreciate is its pragmatic approach to understanding and addressing business issues and the fact it puts the right people on the task. The way it approaches work with a business-oriented and practical attitude is useful."
"The team provided excellent analysis and very good follow-up of the file."
"Cleary has extensive resources and expertise to address complex and unique issues."
"The Cleary team we work with has relevant and detailed understanding of technological as well as legal matters and is able to explain complex issues in a simple way."
"The firm really adds value to all our positions. It deeply knows our business and our problems."
"What I really appreciate is its pragmatic approach to understanding and addressing business issues and the fact it puts the right people on the task. The way it approaches work with a business-oriented and practical attitude is useful."
"The team provided excellent analysis and very good follow-up of the file."
"Cleary has extensive resources and expertise to address complex and unique issues."
Notable Practitioners
Antoine Winckler is recognised among market commentators as a hugely experienced and high-profile figure within the Brussels competition law community. He attracts particular attention for assisting with sophisticated merger control mandates. As a member of both the Paris and Brussels Bars, he has further experience representing clients in behavioural investigations before the French Competition Authority.
Maurits Dolmans is a renowned figure in the EU competition law community. He splits his time between London and Brussels and is known for his work on significant behavioural mandates for sophisticated multinational companies.
Climbing to the top of the rankings is Francisco Enrique González-Díaz who offers a combined experience of working within the EC and handling sophisticated merger control mandates in private practice. He is also well versed in advising on contentious issues, including the submission of antitrust complaints to the EC.
"Francisco Enrique González-Díaz is a fantastic lawyer and adviser."
"If you think you are going to fight, go to Francisco Enrique González-Díaz."
"I find him really impressive."
Robbert Snelders acts for some of Cleary's most high-profile clients on behavioural mandates, including appeals against European Commission decisions before the General Court. He has experience in transactions that necessitate the negotiation of significant remedy packages and fines with the EC.
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.
"He has done an immense amount of work that is of value for the community at large."
"François-Charles Laprévote has very thorough knowledge of the subject matter and remarkable experience."
Nicholas Levy is a London and Brussels-based competition law specialist who attracts strong praise for his understanding of both the CMA and the EC. In addition to his impressive reputation for phase I and II merger control work, Nicholas Levy has experience in high-profile abuse of dominance cases. He has notable experience in mandates in the technology sector.
"He has an incredibly clear style in his writing which makes his arguments come out all the more forcefully."
Thomas Graf earns a higher ranking this year through his prominent role in several of the firm's high-profile abuse of dominance cases in the technology sector. He is equally equipped to advise on matters pertaining to the Digital Markets Act.
"Thomas Graf is exceptional. He has the ability to understand business objectives and gives advice for alternative business solutions. He does not look at things from a purely legal, technical point, he looks at what is behind it."
"His business acumen is outstanding and his ability to grasp the main issues is remarkable."
"He is a very good thinker."
"He is very impressive and experienced."
"He is extraordinary on the substance, at thinking outside of the box and at being very strategic."
Romano Subiotto KC wins instructions acting for interested parties and defendants on EC behavioural investigations. He is also well known as a skilled litigator who assists with EGC appeals against EC competition decisions. He is a member of the UK Bar and splits his time between London and Brussels. He is known for his experience in cases connected to antitrust in sports.
"Romano Subiotto showed great pragmatism and did not want to overcomplicate things. He saw the issues and addressed them. He had a clear-cut vision of where the problems were and how to tackle them."
Christopher Cook handles both EU and wider global merger notifications in support of high-value corporate transactions.
"He knows us and how we operate and is good at truly advising us. I consider him a canary in the coal mine. I find him to be very reasonable and practical.
"The calibre of his antitrust knowledge is really superb."
"He is pleasant to work with."
Patrick Bock has notable experience advising on complex merger investigations in the utilities sector.
"Patrick Bock's understanding of the business and his business acumen is appreciated, as well as his responsiveness and workable solutions."
"Patrick Bock is a great competition lawyer. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to adapt to new situations and demands."
"I can say that he is very pleasant and nice to work with."
Isabel Rooms exhibits an impressive list of sophisticated mandates that illustrate comprehensive skills and experience in the competition law sphere, particularly on multi-jurisdictional merger control matters.
"Isabel Rooms is always very responsive and thorough in her advice."
"She is definitely brilliant in how to deal with cases. She is a good one."
Ranked Lawyers at
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Belgium