Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is regarded by clients as ‘the gold standard in European competition law practices’. The firm is equally well regarded for its global merger control work and for its litigious strengths, which span multijurisdictional follow-on damages claims and cartel investigations before the European Commission, as well as non-cartel conduct cases. The ‘broad and deep practice’ has specialists with expertise spanning the gamut of relevant advisory and contentious mandates, including Christopher Cook, François-Charles Laprévote and Robbert Snelders. Antoine Winckler is particularly recommended for his knowledge of French competition law, while Nicholas Levy is regularly instructed on matters involving UK antitrust elements.

Clients turn to Clifford Chance for a 'significantly high level of service', particularly in bet-the-company mergers and strategic behavioural cases across a range of sectors, including technology, industrials, life sciences, financial services and consumer goods. The growing partner bench comprises transactional specialist Richard Blewett; expert litigator Dorothée Vermeiren; Dieter Paemen and Ashwin Van Rooijen, who typically handle abuse of dominance cases; Anastasios Tomtsis, whose broad practice spans state aid control and foreign subsidies work; and Milena Robotham, who was made up in May 2023.

Under the direction of managing partner Johan Ysewyn, who also acts as co-head of Covington & Burling LLP's global competition group, the team in Brussels handles merger control, anti-cartel enforcement, monopolisation cases, and other conduct investigations. The firm is particularly well regarded for its state aid and foreign subsidies work, which has been booming lately. Senior of counsel Kevin Coates brings his extensive public sector experience in the Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission to the department. Further notable of counsel include Carole Maczkovics and Melissa Van Schoorisse.

At Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, the team is ‘able to pull from the firm’s resources across the globe to deliver insightful advice‘, making it an advisor of choice for major international corporates, particularly those from the TMT, energy, pharmaceutical and consumer sectors. ‘Charismatic‘ managing partner Kyriakos Fountoukakos acts as global head of the competition, regulation and trade practice. Lode Van Den Hende is noted for his state aid expertise, while of counsel Peter Rowland is the name to note for merger control work.

The team at Jones Day brings its ‘specific smart understanding' to the gamut of competition work, merger control clearances, antitrust investigations and follow-on damages claims all form a significant part of the regular workload. Additionally, the team is well regarded for its state aid expertise. Bernard Amory oversees the practice, supported by Brussels office managing partner Alexandre Verheyden. Other key senior names in the team include Laurent De Muyter and Kaarli Eichhorn. Of counsel Geoffroy Van De Walle has recently led on major abuse of dominance cases. In June 2022, the group’s transactional offering was further strengthened by the arrival of Nadiya Nychay from Dentons.

Latham & Watkins LLP's 'simply excellent' team has recently been particularly focused on expanding its merger clearance offering to position itself as an advisor of choice for foreign direct investments and foreign subsidies regulation issues. On the behavioral side, the group continues to act in the gamut of investigations run by the European Commission. Managing partner Lars Kjølbye and vice chair of the global competition practice Héctor Armengod oversee the department. Other key names include Carles Esteva Mosso and Sven Völcker. In October 2022, 'bright and fast' Christos Malamataris re-joined the firm from the Directorate General for Competition of the European Commission.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is particularly well regarded for its proficiency in assisting with the antitrust elements of complex M&A transactions, leveraging the firm's international capabilities to advise multinational corporations on merger control clearances across the globe. Ingrid Vandenborre and Frederic Depoortere jointly head up the practice; the former also acts as managing partner of the Brussels office. Bill Batchelor, who also spends a significant proportion of his time in London, provides key know-how relating to UK competition law.

Slaughter and May's 'technically excellent' team handles a diverse workload which spans antitrust investigations, complex merger control clearances, state aid and subsidy control matters, and follow-on damages litigation. Brussels office head Anna Lyle-Smythe is singled out by one client as 'certainly one of the best competition lawyers in Europe'. Bertrand Louveaux and Claire Jeffs act as co-chairs of the global competition group, both splitting their time between Brussels and London. In a group comprised of 'standout individuals', other key names include Jordan Ellison and senior counsel Alexander Chadd.

Multinationals, goverment bodies and trade associations comprise the enviable client base at Van Bael & Bellis. The firm is best known for its work on major cartel and abuse of dominance cases, as well as its appellate representation before various EU courts. Andrzej Kmiecik and Porter Elliott jointly head up the practice. Other key names in the group of 'eminent specialists' include name partner Jean-François Bellis, merger review expert Johan Van Acker, and Andreas Reindl.

White & Case LLP continues to enjoy its reputation as a ‘litigation powerhouse‘, and has recently been active in a range of bet-the-company investigations and cases. The firm is also well versed in advising on global mergers, and fields an integrated foreign subsidies regulation team. James Killick  is the regional EMEA competition head. Other recommended senior practitioners include Mark Powell and Strati Sakellariou-Witt, while at the more junior level, counsel Irina Trichkovska is singled out. Former Brussels office executive partner Axel Schulz left in late 2023.

Under the leaderhsip of Dirk Arts, A&O Shearman brings a 'very creative' perspective to its broad offering, which spans merger control, cartel defence, behavioural investigations, antitrust litigation, state aid work, and foreign investment and foreign subsidies issues. As part of a concerted growth strategy, the group welcomed senior associate Hannelore Wiame from McDermott Will & Emery Belgium LLP in March 2023. The team then further cemented its bench strength at all levels through the internal promotions of Francesca Miotto and Nele De Backer to partner and senior associate, respectively.

The team at Arnold & Porter is particularly well regarded for its expertise in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and technology sectors; major players from these industries - including those which operate at the crossroads, such as biotechs - form the core of the client base. Cartel investigations and follow-on damages claims are areas of strength. Niels Christian Ersbøll acts as head of the Brussels office, and is regularly supported on key competition mandates by international merger control expert Axel Gutermuth and French-qualified counsel Charlotte Simphal.

Clients single Ashurst LLP out for its 'commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional legal service delivery' in the competition sphere; the team increasingly combines its expertise in transactional work with its strength in behavioural investigations, resulting in a seamless approach to merger control and cartel issues. The team in Brussels has strong links to the London office, and also fields a number of practitioners qualified in England and Wales, including Esther Kelly and Donald Slater. Denis Fosselard is noted for his 'excellent technical and commercial skills'.

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL fields a team of 'experts in their fields' who are able to handle the gamut of merger control matters, abuse of dominance investigations, antitrust compliance issues, and sector-specific competition inquiries. Fiona Carlin acts as the overall practice head, while Kurt Haegeman  oversees the consumer goods and retail industry group, and Paul Johnson leads the TMT antitrust practice. The much-lauded EU state aid sub-department is helmed by Nina Niejahr. In recent news, associate Ola McLees joined the Brussels office from the firm's London branch.

At Bird & Bird, the combination of strong competition and trade law expertise ensures that the team is particularly well placed to advise on control mechanisms for foreign subsidies and foreign direct investment. Other key pillars of the practice include abuse of dominance investigations, merger control work, and state aid issues. José Rivas and Hein Hobbelen co-head the Brussels competition practice; the former has in-depth knowledge of the sports and aviation sectors, while the latter ‘stands out as a terrific competition and telecoms lawyer‘.

For DLA Piper, autumn 2022 was characterised by a significant expansion at partner level, with Joost Haans and Laurent Geelhand arriving from Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL and Hausfeld & Co LLP, respectively. The addition of Geelhand further cemented the firm's reputation as a go-to choice for cross-border antitrust litigation. Daniel Colgan continues to head up the broader competition team in Brussels, as well as overseeing the dedicated state aid group. Recently, the focus has increasingly been on cleints from the transport and logistics, energy, life sciences, financial services, and technology sectors.

Gibson Dunn continues to stand out for its expertise in abusive practices investigations, regularly representing major clients facing antitrust litigation before various institutions and courts. Christian Riis-Madsen acts as co-head of the firm’s global competition practice, and is particularly well regarded for his specialist knowledge of the technology sector. Attila Borsos and Stéphane Frank complete the roster of recommended practitioners. State aid expert Lena Sandberg left the firm in October 2024.

Linklaters is differentiated by its extensive expertise in foreign investment control issues, which includes advising on the new EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation. Other areas of strength include merger control matters and antitrust investigations. Bernd Meyring has oversight of the broader practice, while newly promoted counsel Ina Lunneryd leads the state aid sub-group. In terms of industry know-how, Annamaria Mangiaracina is the name to note for clients from the life sciences sector.

Fittingly for a firm known for its contentious capabilities, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP fields a team of 'extremely skilled litigators who are experts in competition law'; the group is typically instructed to represent clients from the technology, telecoms, pharmaceutical, life sciences, financial services and transport sectors before the European Commission, as well as national courts and regulators. Managing partner Trevor Soames leads on much of the key work. Other key contacts include Miguel Rato and counsel Marixenia Davilla.

Working closely with the firm's offices across the globe, Sidley Austin LLP's Brussels-based team proficiently advises on all the merger control aspects of international transactions. The firm is particularly well regarded for its expertise in the technology and life sciences sectors. The dedicated group on the ground comprises managing partner Ken Daly, who acts as co-head of the antitrust practice, alongside Maarten Meulenbelt and Anne Robert.

Leveraging its 'terrific quality both at partner and associate level', Baker Botts L.L.P. handles a diverse workload which spans high-stakes transactions; competition litigation, including class actions; and cartel and abuse of dominance investigations. Acting both as Brussels office head and global antitrust practice co-chair, Catriona Hatton is noted for her extensive experience advising on both EU and national merger control issues. In March 2023, the promotion of Adam Dawson further strengthened the partner bench.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner leverages its global reach to provide strategic advice on the gamut of competition law issues to large US, Japanese and European corporates, as well as national and international bodies, including the European Commission and the UN’s antitrust directorates. 'Simply amazing' managing partner Dave Anderson is supported by senior associate Paul Culliford.

Noted for its particular experience with clients from the telecoms and media industries, Crowell & Moring advises on the setting up and management of distribution networks, pricing policies and horizontal cooperation agreements. On the contentious side, the team is well versed in court proceedings involving abuse of dominance issues and disputes concerning regulatory decisions. Thomas De Meese and Karel Bourgeois lead on the work, supported by a strong counsel base which includes new arrival Benjamin Geisel, who joined from A&O Shearman in May 2023.

Dechert LLP‘s team comprises a ‘collection of very talented individuals, with a deep knowledge of competition law‘. The group is well versed in EU, Belgian, German and UK merger control work, abuse of dominance cases, state aid issues, and follow-on litigation. Alec Burnside is singled out by one client as ‘an acknowledged leader in the field‘. Other notable names include Brussels-based pactice head Clemens Graf York von Wartenburg and Michael Okkonen, who was recently promoted to partner. US-based Mike Cowie and Steven Bizar oversee the global practice.

Alfonso Lamadrid - whose 'creativity in crafting legal solutions is unparalleled' - oversees Garrigues' Brussels office. The team is best known for its state aid work, and for litigating on behalf of clients before EU courts of all levels. In March 2023, Mark English joined the practice from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, bringing with him vast experience in EU and UK antitrust law, with a special focus on the digital and aviation sectors.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I's deep partner bench ensures that the gamut of relevant issues can be expertly handled. Benoît Le Bret take the lead on state aid work, while Stéphane Hautbourg has considerable expertise in the merger control field. Laurent Godfroid and Romain Rard are noted for their particular focus on French competition law issues. Ségolène Pelsy 'provides commercial and actionable advice'. Olivier Prost operates predominantly at the intersection with international trade law.

The team at Hogan Lovells International LLP brings a strong technology sector focus to its competition work, regularly advising major players from the industry on merger control issues, as well as handling investigations and litigation. Office managing partner Christopher Thomas is supported by transactional expert Falk Schöning and 'outstanding' senior practitioner Michel Struys. Counsel Francesco Pili is another key name.

McDermott Will & Emery Belgium LLP‘s team in Brussels operates seamlessly as part of the firm’s European competition practice, and consequently has a stellar track record obtaining merger clearances across the region. Hendrik Viaene leads the group, working closely with seasoned experts Jacques Buhart and Stéphane Dionnet; between them, the trio of partners also provide expertise in cartel defence, state aid matters, and follow-on litigation. Axel Schulz joined the team in late 2023 from White & Case LLP.

The 'insightful' team at Reed Smith leverages the firm's global footprint to handle EU and multijurisdictional merger control and foreign direct investments mandates, abuse of dominance investigations, and compliance issues. In terms of industry specialisms, the group is particularly active in the energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, financial services, life sciences and healthcare, and transportation sectors. Managing partner Isabelle Rahman works closely with seasoned practitioner Christian Filippitsch and highly regarded counsel Max Seuster.

Under the leadership of 'heavyweight' Jacques Derenne, the team at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP continues to be most highly regarded for its state aid expertise. Other core elements of the practice include abuse of dominance investigations and merger control matters, as well as relevant EU litigation. Oliver Heinisch provides a key link between the Brussels and London offices.

The Brussels office of Squire Patton Boggs acts as a hub for co-ordinating merger and foreign direct investment control proceedings across the globe, regularly leveraging the firm's international network to do so. The team has also recently represented clients before the European Commission in several notable cartel investigations. Brian Hartnett and Oliver Geiss are the key senior names to note.

BonelliErede is best known for the close connections between its offices in Belgium, Rome and Milan; the Brussels branch consequently receives much of its key work from clients with business interests in Italy. State aid mandates are a particular area of focus for the team, with merger control proceedings also forming a core part of the practice. Massimo Merola leads the group with ‘great strategic vision'.

At Dentons, the team is equally comfortable handling behavioural investigations and merger control proceedings. Lately, the firm has carved out a stellar reputation for its work with clients involved in the luxury and high-end consumer goods sector. In October 2023, Jean-Nicolas Maillard was appointed co-head of the Europe competition and antitrust practice, alongside Jörg Karenfort, who splits his time between the Brussels and Berlin offices. Jim Venit, who is qualified in both the US and Belgium, is another key senior contact.

Gleiss Lutz is valued by clients for its intimate knowledge of the German, as well as the broader European, market. Recent key mandates have included international abuse proceedings, merger control cases, follow-on damages claims, and compliance investigations. Ulrich Soltész and Christian von Köckritz lead on much of the work, supported by Harald Weiss.

Working closely with the firm's highly-regarded German offices, the Brussels-based group at Hengeler Mueller regularly handles abuse of dominance proceedings and follow-on damages claims, state aid issues, and foreign subsidies regulation matters. Merger control work is also a stalwart of the team. A partnership trio comprising Hans-Jörg Niemeyer, Christoph Wilken and Markus Röhrig oversees the practice.

The ‘very skilled, prepared and reactive‘ team at K&L Gates GP maintains its stellar reputation for assisting with global merger control and foreign direct investments matters, and is increasingly attracting attention for its proficiency in handling international cartel investigations. Verticals agreements and distribution issues are also areas of strength. Francesco Carloni, Mélanie Bruneau, Nikolaos Peristerakis are the key senior names to note. State aid expert Lena Sandberg joined the firm in October 2024 from Gibson Dunn.

King & Spalding LLP is most highly regarded for its expertise in the competition law issues stemming from transatlantic and global mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic alliances. Notable new names from the TMT, life sciences, energy, and financial services industries are contributing to the rapid growth of the firm's client base. Salomé Cisnal de Ugarte is the key contact.

Drawing strength from its close co-operation with the London office, Macfarlanes LLP's team in Brussels handles the gamut of enforcement matters, including dawn raids, cartel investigations, and abuse of dominance cases. The group also regularly represents clients in contentious antitrust proceedings before the General Court and European Court of Justice. Christophe Humpe and Richard Pepper are the key names to note.

Mayer Brown‘s broad practice spans international merger control proceedings, cartel investigations and private enforcement cases, state aid issues, investigations by various competition authorities, and distribution matters. In October 2022, ‘smart negotiator‘ Andrea Pomana joined the team from ADVANT Beiten with particular expertise in European and German antitrust law, foreign direct investment and foreign subsidies regulation, and now splits her time between the Brussels and Frankfurt offices. Practice co-head and key contact Aymeric de Moncuit has significant experience in EU competition rules and the European courts.

Clients particularly value Norton Rose Fulbright‘s ‘diversity and global footprint‘; the close connections between the Brussels and London offices are cemented by many key practitioners – including head of the EMEA antitrust practice Ian Giles, life sciences expert Miranda Cole, and ‘excellent competition lawyer‘ Alexandra Rogers – splitting their time between the two. Merger control proceedings, dawn raids and inspections, and antitrust compliance advice all form part of the regular workload.

The team at Strelia brings a strong litigious focus to its competition work, regularly representing clients in procedures relating to damage actions resulting from anti-competitive practices and regulatory infringements. On the non-contentious side, the group handles cross-border merger control analyses and filings, as well as providing project compliance advice. Key contact Pierre Goffinet 'is pragmatic and truly adds value'.

WilmerHale is most highly regarded for its proficiency handling mandates at the intersection of competition law and specific regulatory regimes, particularly transport and data privacy. Recently, the team has been involved with major merger control, unilateral conduct, and state aid matters. Christian Duvernoy, Frédéric Louis and Anne Vallery are the trio of dedicated partners on the ground in Brussels.

ALTIUS typically assists with merger filings; IP-related competition law issues, including infringements of patents and technology transfer agreements; and distribution arrangements and other forms of vertical and horizontal co-operations. Consumer goods, life sciences, media, transport and construction are sectors of particular focus. Seasoned senior practitioner Carmen Verdonck is capably supported by counsel Beatrijs Gielen.

The team at CMS is valued for its ‘reliability and rigour‘ when handling behavioural competition cases, merger control filings, state aid issues, and foreign subsidy matters. The firm’s client base covers a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on the consumer products, digital, energy, life sciences and telecoms sectors. Michael Bauer leads on the ground in Brussels.

Leveraging its 'unique combination of profound legal knowledge and commercial accumen', contrast's broad practice spans abuse of dominance and interim measures cases, follow-on litigation, merger proceedings, and state aid matters. The team is particularly known for its expertise in work with a nexus to the sporting industry. Founding partner Filip Tuytschaever remains active, and forms a trio of core senior practitioners alongside Herlinde Burez and Sébastien Engelen.

Cooley LLP's core strengths lie in litigating sensitive cartel investigations and immunity proceedings before the European Commission. Foreign direct investments advice is a burgeoning area of expertise for the team. Alexander Israel, who is the partner in charge of the Brussels office, 'foresees future problems and provides solutions and ideas'.

Under the leadership of Tom Pick, the team at Fieldfisher advises on merger control and foreign direct investments, unfair trading rules, state aid issues, and more general competition law compliance matters. The group also handles abuse of dominance cases, including representing clients in administrative proceedings before various authorities across Europe, as well as domestic courts.

Gianni & Origoni is best known for handling state aid work on behalf of its strong Italian client base. The group also regularly advises on foreign direct investment screening in connection with cross-border transactions. 'Insightful' Francesco Maria Salerno oversees work in the Brussels office.

Since the opening of its Brussels office in June 2021, Kirkland & Ellis International II LLP has been forging a reputation for handling global merger and foreign direct investments filing processes. Thomas Wilson, the founding partner of the local branch, is receiving increasing recognition for his ‘very good antitrust judgement‘. Philipp Gnatzy, on secondment from London, is bringing ‘terrific energy and effectiveness‘ to the practice.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP‘s wide-ranging expertise spans merger control, foreign direct investments, and competition litigation. The firm also leverages its strength in neighbouring regulatory areas, including common market questions and export control matters. Izzet Sinan is lauded by one client for being ‘unusually familiar with the inner workings of the European Competition competition staff‘. Christina Renner is the other key contact.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP advises clients from the gamut of industry sectors on merger notifications and guides them through all necessary approval processes. On the non-transactional front, the group handles a range of antitrust investigations, including before the European Commission. Riccardo Celli leads on the ground in Brussels, co-operating closely with colleagues in the US offices.

For the team at Stibbe, advising both companies and public authorities on the structuring of projects from a state aid perspective, representations before national courts and the European Commission, and assisting with merger control work all form part of the regular workload. Peter Wytinck and Sophie Van Besien are the key senior contacts.