Competition Law

Rod Carlton has notable experience in merger clearance filings. He also assists clients with the UK's new subsidy control regime.

"He has developed a clear 'helicopter' view of the key issues and the strategic approach required."

Deirdre Trapp is highly esteemed for her broad competition law practice, offering notable expertise in both merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings and in CMA investigations. Her recent work has included phase II merger investigations and issues of allegedly exclusive agreements.

"Deirdre Trapp is an outstanding competition lawyer."

"She's always a step ahead of everybody."

Mark Sansom stands out for his representation of defendants in high-profile follow-on damages claims, including acting on some of the most significant class actions currently before the CAT. He leads Freshfields' competition litigation team and is joint head of the firm's global antitrust litigation group.

"Mark Sansom has outstanding experience in defending competition damages claims."

"He's a standout litigator. He is probably one of the top - if not the top - competition litigators."

"Mark is the best competition litigator in the business."

"His judgement is always very sound and his approach is calm, measured and laced with huge experience."

"He has a natural ability at distilling down complex matters to their essence. Mark's vast experience and gravitas lends itself extremely well to dealing with complex matters and is well received by senior stakeholders."

Simon Priddis has a strong reputation for advising clients on a range of competition law matters, including acquisitions, investments and joint ventures, as well as assisting with market inquiries. He has substantial experience acting in the financial services and private equity sectors.

"He has a really good understanding of our strategic priorities and pools this across to anything we needed advice on."

"He is very commercial, pragmatic and clear in our dealings with him."

"He's really experienced and thinks about the best strategy to adopt in the case. He is very savvy and good at thinking about the best approach for presenting arguments to competition authorities."

"He runs the case smoothly and efficiently, which is most important for clients."

Alastair Chapman has a strong focus on the competition law aspects of transactions, advising clients on merger clearance filings, as well as foreign direct investment and National Security and Investment Act issues. He also advises clients on their involvement in market studies. He is the managing partner of the firm's UK competition practice.

"He's very good technically, has a commercial approach and understands what we're trying to do and tries to give us solutions."

"He's just got a very elegant mind, he writes incredibly well."

"We like his combination of creativity and sophistication dealing with regulatory authorities and deep knowledge of the environment in the UK."

Bea Tormey has notable experience defending clients in private damages actions arising from European Commission cartel investigations. She also assists clients with appeals against fines imposed for alleged breaches of competition law.

"She is a calm presence and unflinching in her advice. Her dealings with senior stakeholders always hit the mark."

"She is always very open to listening and seeking to accommodate questions, challenges and requests from big to small. My impression is that she genuinely cares about the welfare of her team members."

"She is very thorough and detailed."

James Aitken has a broad competition law practice that encompasses both merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings and behavioural investigations and market inquiries carried out by the CMA and other regulatory bodies. He has further experience assisting clients with appeals against European Commission decisions.

"He's absolutely outstanding."

"He's super pragmatic, a great communicator who gets down to the core issues very quickly, and is very personable and efficient so we have a good impression of him."

"He is really sharp and really bright."

Nicholas Frey defends clients in private damages actions following decisions in investigations into possible abuses of dominance or cartel involvement. He has notable experience in high-profile class action proceedings, as well as assisting clients with appeals against fines. He counts transport and financial services companies among his clients.

"He has a thoughtful, balanced approach that displays sharp intellect and perspicacity towards the court."

"He uses all of his experience and market know-how to get to the best outcomes possible in all situations."

"Nicholas has an easy way about him, which makes working together a pleasure."

Alexander Potter often assists clients with merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings, representing them before the CMA in phase I and II investigations.

"His work always seems very thorough and technically considered."

"I was impressed with his recommendations and assistance."

"He is well spoken and knowledgeable."

Martin McElwee often assists clients with obtaining CMA clearance for multi-jurisdictional mergers. He also has experience advising clients on market studies.

"He pays great attention to strategy and clients."

"He is great to work with, has clearly gained a deep understanding of our business very quickly and also brings a lot of experience from other similar matters."

"He has a strong understanding of the UK CMA’s key issues and is thoughtful on how to address those issues."

"He has been very good on strategy and direction."

Michele Davis joins the rankings this year on the back of a broad competition law practice that encompasses merger clearance, foreign direct investment and national security filings, as well as CMA investigations. She also has experience advising high-profile technology sector clients on Ofcom market studies.

"She is smart and offers excellent client service."

"She is a brilliant mergers lawyer."

"Not only is she very affable and a nice person but she is very practical and keen to adapt her own processes to what we need."