A&O Shearman is noted as a ‘leading firm in the competition law field’. The practice is headed up by ‘very bright and smart lawyer’ Kees Schillemans alongside May 2023-promoted partner Pieter Huizing, who has impressive experience representing clients, particularly those in the aviation industry, in proceedings before competition and regulatory authorities and courts. The team’s workload includes assisting clients on the vast array of complex matters. On the regulatory side, it advises on cases including ownership restrictions, tariffs, access and rights issues. Further, the group ably handles merger control proceedings, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, private litigation, general competition guidance and compliance matters. Associate Midas Klijsen is noted for his ‘incredible knowledge’ of the subject. Yvo De Vries departed to Houthoff in June 2023.

The practice at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is renowned for its capabilities advising on the gamut of complex competition matters. The team’s client portfolio features renowned names, which it advises on cases including international mergers and acquisitions; the combining of companies’ operations with those in other jurisdictions; and digital regulation and consumer guidance issues. Further, it is vastly experienced handling high-stakes litigious matters, such as its representing DAF Group in its multi-billion euro settlement with the European Commission, a case involving alleged anticompetitive practices and twenty jurisdictions. ‘Expert in his field’ Jolling de Pree oversees the team, with support from key practitioners including the ‘incredibly bright’ Helen Gornall who is particularly capable in merger control, cartel, dominance and vertical restraint cases, the ‘exceptional’ Arjan Kleinhout, the ‘skilled’ Bart de Rijke, and Stephanie The.

Litigation expert Winfred Knibbeler, who has experience handling global antitrust, selective distribution, and interchange-related complex matters, is at the helm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer‘s EU and competition group alongside ‘subject matter expert’ and ‘brilliant communicator’ Paul van den Berg. The practice’s ‘deep bench of talented practitioners’ includes Onno Brouwer, who harnesses impressive expertise across the board; his recent work has included unfair trading investigations, and investigations into tax rulings. The team often collaborates with the firm’s international offices, namely those in Brussels and Washington DC. Its workload incorporates advising clients on high-value merger controls, proposed acquisitions, and advising on the regulatory aspects of foreign investments.

Stibbe‘s EU and competition team has noteworthy expertise advising its roster of key clients on the plethora of complex matters. Team lead Rein Wesseling is described as ‘exceptional and among the most intelligent and effective competition lawyers’; his focus is predominantly on complex competition litigation cases, namely defending clients in cartel cases, and merger control matters. Antitrust expert Jeroen Kortmann has experience handling complex international litigation for key clients, and newly co-leads alongside Wesseling. ‘Strategic mastermind’ Stijn De Jong is a key senior associate. The team’s caseload varies and includes representing key clients in matters involving such aspects as alleged abuses of dominance, cartel infringement decisions, and merger controls. Floris ten Have departed practice in January 2024.

The ‘extremely professional and knowledgeable’ EU and competition cohort at Brinkhof has strong capabilities advising on the array of matters, namely including complex merger control matters, and high-stakes litigious work relating to cartel damages. The team further assists in intended mergers and in advising on European regulations, and is also equipped to defend clients from an array of industry sectors before the ACM. Pepijn van Ginneken and Quinten Kroes oversee the practice, in which Hanneke Kooijman is a notable senior associate.

The EU and competition practice at Houthoff is led by Yvo De Vries who joined from A&O Shearman in June 2023. The ‘excellent team’ has strong expertise handling cartels and abuse of dominance matters, including damages litigation; matters relating to state aid, which is the focus area of De Vries; and on EU law and European litigation matters. The practice services clients spanning the array of industry sectors but it has noteworthy capabilities in the healthcare and energy sectors in particular. Former co-lead Weijer VerLoren van Themaat retired from practice in December 2023.

The EU and competition offering at Loyens & Loeff is considered ‘professional and pragmatic’ by its clients. The team is well-equipped to advise, particularly financial service, healthcare, lifescience and tech companies on the array of complex and consistently high-value matters, including those regarding merger controls, proposed acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. Competition specialist and ‘excellent lawyer in his field’ Marc Wiggers leads on many of the team’s most prominent matters, whilst experienced ‘super specialist’ counsel Marc Custers has particular expertise advising both national and international clients on state aid matters in particular; the pair oversee the practice. Former co-lead Gert-Wim van de Meent retired from practice in January 2023.

Maverick Advocaten N.V.‘s EU and competition team is regarded as ‘extremely hands-on’ and ‘thinks in possibilities rather than constraints’. The ‘excellent team members’ are led by Martijn van de Hel who is ‘not afraid to take a stand’, regulatory litigation specialist Diederik Schrijvershof who has experience assisting clients in sectors including agriculture, healthcare and life sciences, and the ‘commercially savvy’ Cyriel Ruers who joined from A&O Shearman in January 2023. Competition law, market regulation and consumer protection matters are all aspects of the workload of the team. It is adept at representing clients at the ACM in various cases; its caseload includes handling dawn raids, mergers and acquisitions and consumer law strategy development.

Known for her work advising clients from the spectrum of industry sectors on the array of complex matters, Mauricette Schaufeli heads up NautaDutilh‘s EU and competition team from Amsterdam, which collaborates with public procurement specialist David van Ee to offer a well-rounded service to its clients. Rotterdam-based Philip Malanczuk harbours expertise in cartel damages actions, and in commercial litigation cases. The practice represents well-known clients before the Dutch courts in matters which involve significant values and multiple jurisdictions. Proposed acquisitions and cooperations also make up a large portion of the team’s workload.

Noted for its ‘exceptional litigation skills’, the team at Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV based in The Hague is well-known for its strong capabilities handling complex EU and competition work. Abuse of dominance, merger control and cartel matters all form part of the practice’s workload. The team is also experienced advising state bodies and representatives of cities in The Netherlands. Experienced practitioner Erik Pijnacker Hordijk leads the team alongside newly promoted partner and co-head Marleen Botman who gained both titles in Janaury 2023; Botman is well regarded for her ‘excellent knowledge of distribution of exclusive rights’ cases.

The ‘efficient and pragmatic approach’ of Stek‘s EU and competition practice is noted by its clients. Advising on cooperation agreements, distribution and relations matters, and abuse of dominance and state aid cases are all common areas of focus for the team. ‘Very skilled expert and leader in his field’ Ruben Elkerbout oversees the practice and has experience handling antitrust proceedings and merger control matters. Former co-leads of the team Berend Reuder departed to an in-house position in January 2023 whilst Jan Erik Janssen no longer co-leads this team though he remains at the firm.

The EU and competition practice at Van Doorne, noted as providing an ‘excellent and top-range service’ to its clients, is co-led by experienced competition practitioner Sarah Beeston who is noted as being ‘a pleasure to work with’, and Gijs Verberne. The team is well equipped to handle the array of complex matters before the ACM and Dutch administrative and civil courts; its work includes advising on matters from alleged resale price influencing to defending cartel fine claims. Senior associates to note include Pim Jansen and Nina Korstenbroek who is noted for her ‘great understanding’ of complex cases.

BarentsKrans‘ The Hague office is home to its EU and competition practice, which is noted as having ‘extensive knowledge and experience’. The team handles a broad-range of contentious and non-contentious matters for its array of clients, with a particular focus on litigation. Its workload includes representing clients at the ACM in matters involving dawn raids, investigations, and merger control issues. European law specialist Joost Fanoy is at the head of the team, and leads in the majority of its follow-on cases; Fanoy also has expertise in cartel proceedings, as well as merger and joint venture matters.

Bird & Bird‘s EU and competition practice, based in The Hague, is formed of ‘top lawyers who provide high-quality advice’ to a host of high-profile clients. Team lead Pauline Kuipers has impressive experience handling the array of matters, namely in the telecoms, media and postal sectors. Janneke Kohlen is also key to the team, with expertise in both competition and public procurement matters. Its workload ranges from advising on all aspects of mergers, to defending in alleged violations of EU competition regulations.

bureau Brandeis houses a ‘fantastic’ EU and competition practice which is noted for its ‘diverse set of skills and talent’. Its clients span a range of industry sectors and its workload involves advising on the broad-range of related work. A key example of the calibre of work the team works on is its defending Pro Agent and the EFAA in their legal battle against FIFA’s new regulations. Bas Braeken is ‘able to give clear advice on complex matters’ and heads up the offering. Hans Bousie and associate Jade Versteeg are key names to note in the team.

Dentons‘ EU and competition team which ‘stands out from the crowd’ is experienced in advising on the range of matters, from acquisitions and unfair competition claims to merger control matters. Antitrust litigation specialist Marc Kuijper is described as having ‘thorough and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of competition law’ and co-leads the practice with procurement expert and ‘true asset’ Bram Braat who is particular adept at advising on both civil litigation and private enforcement matters. Associate Ana María Bruggink departed to private practice in May 2023.

Advising on mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, and handling abuse of dominance allegations in major litigations are all areas of experience for the EU and competition practice at Kennedy Van der Laan. It is equipped to handle matters in both domestic and international contexts. Annemieke van der Beek specialises in payment services work in particular, counsel Martijn van Bemmel has experience advising on matters across the financial, banking, retail, transport and IT sectors, and Martine de Koning has expertise handling commerce and trade work; the three oversee the team.

The EU and competition team at Taylor Wessing is well regarded for its abilities to ‘deliver excellent advice and successful results’. It is able to assist its vast portfolio of clients on the range of related cases, particularly in the tech sector. Cartels, abuse of dominance and merger control matters all form portions of the team’s workload. Bram Nijhof is the team lead and public procurement, state aid and competition are his main areas of focus; Nijhof splits his time between Eindhoven and Brussels. ‘Very promising’ senior associate Nick Strous is is a noteworthy team member.

The EU and competition team at AKD is noteworthy for its abilities assisting clients on various matters, including those involving the FDI regulatory framework, and those at the intersection between competition and consumer law. Grant agreements and applications on financial regulations are also frequent cases for the practice, which is co-led by Pieter Kuypers and Joost Houdijk; both split their time between the firm’s Brussel and Amsterdam offices.

Baker McKenzie‘s EU and competition cohort is regarded as being ‘very professional and competent’. The team is overseen by Frank Kroes and Frans Muller who joined the team from Clifford Chance as partner in June 2023 and has a focus on antitrust and competition matters. The practice has noteworthy abilities in matters which range from advising on alleged infringements and compliance matters to handling competition infringement litigation follow-on work.

Banning NV‘s EU and competition practice, which ‘combines a solid knowledge of the Dutch competition law scene with a client-oriented approach’ has particular strengths advising on regulatory aspects of matters, namely those assisting clients in the Dutch automotive industry. Merger control matters are another area of focus; the team has experience advising well-known names before the ACM. ‘Outstanding practitioner’ Minos van Joolingen is at the team’s helm; Martijn Jongmans is also a key practitioner to note.

CMS‘ EU and competition cohort has strong capabilities advising on matters in the automotive and energy industry in particular, as well as representing them before the courts. Its client portfolio features a number of well-known names; it advises its clients on matters ranging from mergers, to foreign direct investments, to cartel cases. Edmon Oude Elferink who splits his time between the firm’s Amsterdam and Brussels offices, heads up the team.

DLA Piper‘s EU and competition team, noted for its provision of ‘hands-on, practical advice’ has Léon Korsten at its helm; Korsten also co-leads the firm’s international practice and is particularly experienced defending clients in the range of cases. Dawn raids, investigations, and cartel defence work, including damages litigation and public and private enforcement in relation to state aid, public procurement and regulated markets, form a large portion of the team’s workload.

Antitrust and competition specialist Hans Urlus, who is adept at assisting with matters in both domestic and international contexts, is at the helm of Greenberg Traurig LLP‘s EU and competition practice, which is well equipped to advise on the array of work, from market entry strategies, to foreign investment reviews, to multi-jurisdictional mergers. Its workload covers industry sectors from oil and gas to insurance. ‘Standout practitioner’ Robert Hardy is another noteworthy team member, with experience representing clients before the ACM and the European Commission; cartel investigations and damages claims are also in his remit.

HVG Law LLP houses an EU and competition team which is led by Misha G. lutje Beerenbroek, and is adept at advising its clients on an array of related matters. Its workload includes obtaining clearance decisions of international competition authorities, designing, implementing and amending distribution networks in the EU, assisting with acquisitions and mergers, and advising on sub-contracting and co-production arrangements. Senior associate Wouter Jans is a key name in the team.