About

Provided by Gide Loyrette Nouel

We have had an office in Brussels, the centre of European law, since 1967. Comprising 6 partners, more than 30 lawyers and legal practitioners and other experts, all former senior European civil servants, we share our uniquely comprehensive expertise with our French, European and international clients whose strategic decisions are significantly influenced by Brussels. We support our clients in three key areas:


Regulatory affairs

We appear before European institutions, national authorities and the competent courts. Listed on the Transparency Register of the European Commission and the European Parliament, we are able to implement advocacy strategies.


Competition law and anti-trust

We act in major cartel and abuse of dominant position cases before European, national and international administrative and judicial authorities. We have extensive expertise in State aid and competition matters linked to the development of new European regulations (FSR, DMA/DSA, AI, etc.).


International trade and regulation

In addition to traditional customs matters, our office is a pioneer in the innovative application of regulations on dumping practices and foreign subsidies, as well as new “level playing field” rules (IPI, FSR…). We are often asked to advise on matters regarding the application of new European regulations with an external dimension (local content, reciprocity in public procurement directives, etc.).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: EU - Belgium

5
Band 5

What the Team is Known For

Gide Loyrette Nouel regularly advises on merger control issues arising from planned M&A and joint venture transactions. It has further experience in EC abuse of dominance and anti-competitive practice investigations, with a focus on advising complainants and interveners. It is particularly active for TMT, transport, energy and finance companies and stands out for its focus on French and Polish clients, whom it represents before both national and EU authorities. The team's practice is also well versed in issues relating to state aid litigation, compliance and notifications.

Work Highlights

Provided by Gide Loyrette Nouel

  • Gide Loyrette Nouel advised BNP Paribas on obtaining phase I merger clearance of its joint venture with CACEIS before the European Commission.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Laurent Godfroid
5
Laurent Godfroid
5
Band 5

Moving up in the rankings is Laurent Godfroid who advises transport and oil and gas companies on the notification of mergers and has experience in complex cases that require the negotiation of significant remedy packages. He has also got notable expertise acting for interveners and complainants in EC investigations in the IT industry.

"Laurent Godfroid is dedicated, committed and simply brilliant."

"Laurent Godfroid is a business-oriented person who gives legal advice in a solid, practical and understandable way with many years of expertise."

"Laurent Godfroid is one of the best lawyers I have had the chance to work with."

Benoît Le Bret
6
Benoît Le Bret
6
Band 6

Benoît Le Bret has experience in EU and national merger filings and also assists with the filing of complaints to the EC in response to anti-competitive conduct by competitors. He is particularly active for transportation and telecommunications clients.

"Benoît Le Bret is excellent. He is super commercial and strategic, sees the bigger picture and is a guy you want alongside you when you are on the battlefield."

"He provides very interesting solutions."

"He is uniquely combining very strong legal knowledge with very strong connections to the decision-making machinery. He understands what is doable or not, how hard to go in and how to move strategically."

"He also speaks a language that our teams understand. He translated the European gobbledegook into something we can implement into our work."

"Benoît Le Bret has very good knowledge of European affairs and EU legislation."

Ranked Lawyers at
Gide Loyrette Nouel

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Belgium

Competition: EU

Laurent Godfroid
5
Laurent Godfroid
5
Band 5
Benoît Le Bret
6
Benoît Le Bret
6
Band 6

Members

Provided by Gide Loyrette Nouel

Romain Rard

Stéphane Hautbourg

Ségolène Pelsy

Industries

Provided by Gide Loyrette Nouel

Automotive

Banking

Food

Gaming

Industry

Infrastructure

Real estate

Transport