A&O Shearman's team earns plaudits for its 'enormous expertise' in the EU and competition law arena. The group's workload takes in complex, multijurisdictional merger control proceedings, cartel cases and abuse of dominance issues. Practice co-head Kees Schillemans has an excellent reputation for being 'the leading expert in the field of competition law litigation', and practice co-head Pieter Huizing brings extensive experience in advising clients in the aviation sector on a range of matters, including antitrust cases and merger control work. Midas Klijsen is a name to note.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek's 'world-class' team has an excellent track record in advising on the competition aspects of cross-border M&A deals, merger controls, cartel issues, abuse of dominance and vertical restraint cases are prominent in the group's workload. Practice head Jolling de Pree stands out as 'a senior statesman with a remarkable talent for strategy', and Bart de Rijke is well-placed to assist with domestic and international competition matters. Helen Gornall is very experienced in handling digital-related issues. Stephanie The and Geert Potjewijd are ‘particularly impressive’.

At Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, the team is adept at handling the full range of EU and competition law matters. Antitrust cases concerning cross-border transactions and investments are a key area of instruction for the group, and the practice is regularly instructed on complex abuse of dominance proceedings, competition litigation, and proceedings involving damages claims. Global compliance mandates are also prominent in the team's workload. Winfred Knibbeler co-heads the practice with Paul van den Berg; both van den Berg and Onno Brouwer divide their time between the firm’s Amsterdam and Brussels offices.

At Stibbe, the EU and competition practice is highly regarded for representing prominent clients in a range of complex matters. Under the joint leadership of Rein Wesseling and Jeroen Kortmann, the team is well versed in handling complex merger control work, antitrust issues and FDI matters, to name a few areas of expertise. Litigation forms a core pillar of the practice: Kortmann is well known for advising on contentious antitrust issues, while Branda Katan is often instructed for the defence in complex litigation. Roos Elemans is a key contact for FDI issues, and is well versed in advising on cartel investigations, abuse of dominance claims and cross-border merger control matters. Nima Lorjé joined the group in late 2023, and Stijn de Jong made partner in January 2024.

The EU and competition team at Brinkhof is 'an absolute powerhouse'. The group fields extensive experience in advising on regulatory and contentious competition law issues, often for clients in the technology space. Digital regulation issues are another key area of instruction for the team. Pepijn van Ginneken has an excellent reputation for being 'one of the leading competition partners in the Dutch legal landscape', and co-heads the department with Quinten Kroes, who focuses on telecoms and technology matters. Remy Chavannes is 'an incredible strategist', and Hanneke Kooijman brings expertise in handling work concerning digital platforms.

Houthoff‘s ‘dedicated’ team is well known for advising on a broad spectrum of complex EU and competition matters, including multi-jurisdictional cartel cases. Practice head Yvo de Vries is an experienced litigator, with established strength in handling complex merger control issues, cartel investigations and state aid matters. Walter van Overbeek and Rick Cornelissen are ‘both authorities in the Dutch automotive industry‘. Victorine Dijkstra and Murat Duman left the firm in December 2023 and January 2024 respectively.

The ‘excellent’ group at Loyens & Loeff is well versed in assisting with merger control proceedings, abuse of dominance investigations and the competition aspects of cross-jurisdictional transactions. Marc Wiggers has expertise in Dutch and European competition law, and Marc Custers specialises in handling domestic and international state aid matters; the duo co-lead the offering. Robin Struijlaart is very experienced in assisting with merger control cases.

Maverick Advocaten N.V.‘s 'extremely focused and determined' team has strong expertise in advising on the full range of competition matters. The 'extraordinary' Martijn van de Hel is well versed in acting for clients in investigations before the ACM and the European Commission. Diederik Schrijvershof is 'an outstanding professional' with an excellent reputation for assisting clients in the agriculture, healthcare, life sciences and transport sectors, while Cyriel Ruers handles market regulation and consumer protection cases. The trio co-head the practice.

The team at NautaDutilh is well known for its expertise in advising clients in a wide range of sectors on regulatory issues in the competition law space, and is equally adept at assisting with the competition aspects of energy projects. State aid issues, merger control matters and follow-on damages claims are other core areas of instruction for the group. Practice head Mauricette Schaufeli is 'an expert in her field'. Philip Malanczuk is very experienced in handling cartel damages actions. Victorine Dijkstra is 'pragmatic and solutions-oriented'. Nima Lorjé left the firm in late 2023.

The highly regarded team at Pels Rijcken is co-led by Marleen Botman, who is well known for assisting the Dutch state with EU law issues, and Jotte Mulder, who focuses on handling cartel damages claims and competition litigation. The practice is home to Erik Pijnacker Hordijk, ‘one of the most experienced antitrust lawyers in the Netherlands‘; other key names include Martijn Scheltema and the ‘outstanding‘ Georges Dictus, who advises on state aid cases.

The EU and competition offering at Van Doorne is highly regarded for its strength in handling the full range of competition matters, often involving multi-jurisdictional elements. Practice head Sarah Beeston has experience in representing clients before the European Commission and the ACM in a wide spectrum of high-profile, complex issues. Daan Beenders is a key contact for competition litigation; Pim Jansen is 'an extremely smart lawyer'; and Maurits Terlouw is 'extremely intelligent, bright and sharp'. Nina Korstenbroek is particularly capable in vertical restraint cases. Jitske Weber left the firm in October 2023.

BarentsKrans' team's 'in-depth understanding in cartel matters provides for high-level advice'. Practice head Joost Fanoy is very experienced in handling cartel damages litigation, and Sophie Gilliam is well versed in representing clients in cartel investigations. Martijn van Maanen is 'an outstanding strategic litigator' and Tim Raats handles public procurement matters.

The 'very dynamic' team at Bird & Bird has a solid track record in handling a broad spectrum of complex competition matters. Practice head Pauline Kuipers has extensive experience in acting for media, postal and telecoms entities in cases, and Joost van Roosmalen focuses on advising on cartel cases. The 'superb' and 'very dedicated' Janneke Kohlen is a key contact in the department for procurement matters. Tialda Beetstra is well versed in handling energy sector matters.

At bureau Brandeis, the team's workload includes appearing for the defence in dawn raid cases, advising on distribution matters, state aid cases, and a wide range of regulatory matters. Bas Braeken, who spearheads the practice, is 'an experienced and well-known attorney at law in this field'. Jade Versteeg handles merger notifications, cartel cases and abuse of dominance matters. Hans Bousie left the firm in May 2024.

The EU and competition offering at CMS is well-equipped to advise on cross-border and domestic merger filing matters before the European Commission and the ACM. Practice head Edmon Oude Elferink divides his time between the firm's Amsterdam and Brussels offices, and is well known for advising on the competition aspects of complex transactions, including M&A. Annemieke Hazelhoff's workload includes state aid, merger control and abuse of dominance cases. The team was bolstered by the arrival of the ‘outstanding’ Murat Duman in January 2024.

Dentons' team has 'an impressive knowledge of EU competition law'. The group's workload includes matters regarding state aid, FDI and public procurement as well as merger control, market investigations and abuse of dominance cases. Marc Kuijper earns plaudits for being ‘one of the best in his field', and co-heads the practice with Bram Braat, who is well versed in advising on private enforcement issues.

Kennedy Van der Laan‘s 'dynamic' and 'client-focused' team fields extensive experience in advising on investigations, enforcement and compliance issues in the competition law space, with noted expertise in the banking and finance sector. The practice is jointly led by the triumvirate of Annemieke van der Beek, Martijn van Bemmel, who handles abuse of dominance, merger control and state aid matters, and the 'sharp advisor' Martine de Koning. Jelle Blom assists with the competition aspects of international trade cases.

Taylor Wessing‘s ‘outstanding and broad’ practice is well regarded for its solid track record in advising on the competition aspects of cross-jurisdictional transactions, abuse of dominance cases, merger control issues and cartel matters, to name a few areas. Practice head Bram Nijhof is 'a real fighter and a very good litigator', who works divides his time between the firm's Brussels and Eindhoven offices. Counsel Nick Strous is a name to note.

The competition team at AKD has a solid track record in handling the competition aspects of commercial matters, and regularly assists clients in a broad range of sectors, from automotive and transport to healthcare and life sciences, on a broad spectrum of competition issues. The practice is co-led by Pieter Kuypers and the 'extremely pragmatic' Joost Houdijk; the duo divide their time between the Brussels and Amsterdam offices.

At Baker McKenzie, Frank Kroes is very experienced in advising on contentious competition matters involving damages claims; he co-heads the practice with Frans Muller, who is well versed in handling compliance cases, merger control, cartel investigations and antitrust matters. Derk Christiaans has ‘great analytical skills‘, and advises across a wide range of competition and regulatory issues, with a particular focus on compliance matters.

The EU and competition practice at Banning NV is well versed in handling a wide range of competition matters. Vertical restraint issues are a key area of strength, and the group has particular focus on advising clients in the postal sector on distribution issues. The 'knowledgeable, responsive, and pragmatic' Minos van Joolingen heads the practice.

The team at DLA Piper is well placed to advise on a broad range of EU and competition law matters. Key areas of instruction include investigations, dawn raids, state aid and public procurement issues, and the group is also sought after for its expertise in handling cartel defence work and sanctions cases. Léon Korsten heads up the practice.

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s team is sought after for its strength in handling a broad spectrum of EU and competition issues. Practice head Robert Hardy has ‘a wealth of expertise and experience in antitrust and competition law‘, and acts for clients in merger control cases and foreign investment review matters. Hans Urlus and Ellen De Jong-Van Den Bogaard are key practitioners to note.

HVG Law LLP's EU and competition practice advises on the competition law aspects of intended company mergers and distributions of products across Europe, to name a couple of areas of instruction. Misha lutje Beerenbroek heads up the practice, in which Wouter Jans is a key contact.