About

Provided by De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Our competition & regulation practice is active across almost the entire spectrum of competition and regulatory law. We serve multinational clients globally – in enforcement actions, transactions and strategic advice – but with an emphasis on Europe. Our large, integrated Amsterdam-Brussels based team enables us to handle multiple complex matters in parallel fashion, and is experienced in taking the lead in cross-border matters with tight cost control measures in place. Over the years, we have earned a reputation for getting enforcement actions neutralised and complex transactions cleared.

Transactions

We have particular experience in obtaining clearance of complex merger control cases involving potential remedies before the European Commission and other competition agencies worldwide, involving where necessary economists and industry specialists. De Brauw has efficiently coordinated many merger filings in numerous jurisdictions worldwide.

Cartel Investigations
Our team has handled many high-profile, data-intensive cartel cases before the European Commission, and has a track record of getting fines annulled before the European Courts.

Private damage claims
The team is involved in all pending civil cartel damage actions in the Netherlands, almost always as lead or a member of a multijurisdictional team, working closely together with the firm’s civil litigation specialists. It has obtained significant victories in these cases.



Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/European Law - Netherlands

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek remains one of the best firms in the Dutch market for contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. The team offers outstanding experience in investigations into allegations of price fixing and abuse of dominance, as well as representing clients in damages actions following decisions in high-profile cases. It has further expertise in Foreign Direct Investment filings and phase II merger clearance investigations. Team members are highly respected for their work in connection with the new Foreign Subsidies Regime and the Digital Markets Act.

Work Highlights

Provided by De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

  • De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek advised British Airways in several follow-on damages actions in the Netherlands in connection with the European Commission's air cargo cartel investigation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Jolling de Pree
1
Jolling de Pree
Head of Competition/European Law
1
Band 1

Jolling de Pree stands out in the Dutch market for his work on behavioural mandates, representing clients in high-profile investigations into allegations of collusion and price fixing, as well as defending them in significant follow-on damages claims. He has further notable expertise in the competition law aspects of transactional mandates, advising on FSR and merger control filings, as well as investigations into allegations of gun-jumping.

Jolling de Pree is the top of the top. He has a long experience, not only with the law, but also the practical side of the law.

Jolling de Pree is my favourite competition lawyer to work with. He is always able to give pragmatic advice while being the best in his field.

Jolling de Pree is probably regarded as one of, if not the leading European antitrust litigation practitioners.

Apart from being one of the nicest individuals you could hope to come across, he is generally regarded as very knowledgeable on antitrust litigation, and international antitrust defence particularly.

Jolling de Pree is well aware of not only Dutch law but also international law - and has outstanding business sense.

Helen Gornall
2
Helen Gornall
2
Band 2

Helen Gornall demonstrates impressive activity in the technology sector. This includes investigations into possible abuses of dominance and price parity clauses, as well as work connected to the Digital Markets Act. She also represents clients in ACM market investigations and multi-jurisdictional phase II merger investigations.

Helen Gornall is a pleasure to work with: she is very knowledgeable and always on the ball.

Helen Gornall understands the economics inside and out.

Helen Gornall is excellent; she is very clever and hardworking.

Bart de Rijke
3
Bart de Rijke
3
Band 3

Bart de Rijke has a strong competition law practice, with expertise in merger clearance and FDI filings. He also assists with the competition law compliance aspects of franchise agreements.

Bart de Rijke is very focused and business-oriented.

Bart de Rijke makes antitrust filings as easy as possible.

Bart de Rijke is flexible, always willing to have an additional call on how to solve the issue, knows the industry and is a reliable partner in our M&A strategy.

Bart de Rijke is a sophisticated lawyer, with good case management on large merger control mandates.

Stephanie Thé
4
Stephanie Thé
4
Band 4

Stephanie Thé represents clients in high-profile cartel follow-on damages actions. She also offers impressive experience in abuse of dominance investigations and FDI mandates.

Stephanie Thé has a good understanding and sense of the customer.

She is responsive, providing clear and thoughtful advice, even on complex issues.

Stephanie Thé is very responsive and pleasant to work with.

Stephanie Thé is not only a highly skilled lawyer but also a great person to work with.

Beyond her legal expertise, Stephanie Thé is approachable and genuinely cares about getting the best outcomes.

Ranked Lawyers at
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Netherlands

Competition/European Law

Jolling de Pree
1
Jolling de Pree
Head of Competition/European Law
1
Band 1
Helen Gornall
2
Helen Gornall
2
Band 2
Bart de Rijke
3
Bart de Rijke
3
Band 3
Stephanie Thé
4
Stephanie Thé
4
Band 4

Members

Provided by De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek