Competition/European Law

Latham & Watkins houses a strong practice covering all aspects of competition law, often in close collaboration with its excellent international network, and particularly its market-leading team in Brussels. The team regularly advises on large, cross-border merger control mandates, including Phase II investigations and FDI clearances. The firm is also particularly known for its presence in digital market-related issues, including abuse of dominance allegations. Latham & Watkins complements its services with its abilities in cartel damages claims and other antitrust investigations. Its clientele comprises well-known and internationally active technology, telecommunications and transportation companies.

"I really enjoy working with Latham & Watkins; the lawyers are very pragmatic and good at finding a solution, which helps a lot."

"The team takes the right balanced approach between sharing its experience of transactions and reading what the law says."

"The lawyers are really proactive looking at new developments."

Latham & Watkins defended Meta Platforms in an abuse of dominance proceeding before the Bundeskartellamt concerning the overlap between privacy and antitrust regulations.

Sven Völcker is often identified as a high-profile individual in Brussels handling top-end merger clearance cases that necessitate significant interaction with the EC, including appeals against prohibited mergers. He also defends clients in sensitive cartel and abuse of dominance investigations. In addition, Sven Völcker is admitted to the German Bar and experienced in handling merger notifications to the German Bundeskartellamt and challenges to its decisions. "He has a strong reputation for German work." "We were in good hands with Sven Völcker." "He is pleasant to deal with and intelligent."

Michael Esser frequently acts for high-profile clients from the technology and telecommunications sectors on Bundeskartellamt investigations into proposed mergers and possible abuses of dominance. In addition, he represents them in damages actions. He has further experience in challenging Bundeskartellamt decisions.

The Frankfurt-based Sebastian Max Hauser enters the rankings this year on the back of his solid work for clients in the field of merger control and FDI filings. He also has experience in post-closing investigations. He has a number of clients from the private equity sector. "I really enjoy working with him, he is quite pragmatic and goes to the core point and summarises things in a business-friendly way." "Sebastian Max Hauser is really good to work with, because he is accurate, has good risk judgement and stays calm." "Sebastian Max Hauser is brilliant, very strategic in his advice, calm and approachable and smart."