The competition team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton handles complex merger control matters concerning high-value M&A; two key examples are the firm’s work for Vivendi on its acquisition of sole control over Lagardère and acting as co-counsel for Veolia on its acquisition of Suez, both cross-border and billion-euro mandates, with the latter requiring clearance by the authorities of 18 jurisdictions. Séverine Schrameck, who co-led on both matters, also acted for a client involved in a major FCA investigation into the food and beverage industry, aided by senior attorney Stéphanie Patureau, who joined from Linklaters in 2021. Frédéric De Bure covers much of the firm’s FCA work, taking on litigation against the authority for major tech clients. Antoine Winckler and François-Charles Laprévote, who divide their time between Paris and Brussels, also head the team. The firm also covers follow-on damages claims.

Clifford Chance is lauded for its 'extensive knowledge of merger control processes, and successfully delivers challenging, large-scale multi-jurisdictional antitrust projects'. David Tayar advised on Hitachi’s billion-euro acquisition of Thales, requiring filings in multiple jurisdictions, and Katrin Schallenberg is a key name for aviation sector clients. The team frequently handles the foreign direct investment elements of acquisitions, assisted by counsel Emily Xueref-Poviac, who has expertise in this area. Counsel Amélie Lavenir, Tayar also works on antitrust investigations and litigation, with experience handling investigations before the European Commission investigations. Of counsel Michel Petite is experienced in state aid matters, both defending and intervening on behalf of clients in litigation involving the European Commission.

Didier Théophile at Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier 'combines indisputable technical expertise with a keen sense of strategy'; he acts for clients in cross-border billion-euro transactions, advising on merger control matters before the European Commission and in multiple other jurisdictions. Théophile also co-leads on follow-on damages actions with the firm’s litigation partners - he was part of a team representing Daimler in actions due to the trucks cartel sanction - and also handles state aid matters and advises clients on FCA investigations and litigation. Guillaume Aubron, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, also takes on key matters. Counsel Constance Bocket often assists Théophile in M&A and FCA matters.

Latham & Watkins’ Paris competition team works closely with its Brussels office, particularly for multinational client Orange, which the Paris and Brussels teams advised recently on antitrust clearance. Practice head Jacques-Philippe Gunther also worked with the Brussels team to advise Saur on its €190m acquisition of Veolia’s European Mobile Water Services Division. The life sciences and automotive industries are also key sectors for the firm. The team also covers FCA investigations into abuse of dominant position, an area where Adrien Giraud is active. Mathilde Saltiel is also noted.

Linklaters’ strength is in its cross-border merger control work, with the Paris team working with multiple offices in Europe and globally to advise GrandVision on its €7.2bn takeover by EssilorLuxottica, led by Pierre Zelenko and global vertical restrictions head Charlotte Colin-Dubuisson. Anne Wachsmann is also active in this space as well as cartels, which is another area of strength generally for the practice. With partners in the French team often co-leading with those from other offices or the corporate practice, the team frequently advises on gaining clearance from the European Commission for acquisitions, and Thomas Elkins covers much of the firm’s international M&A, aided by recently promoted counsel Matthieu Blayney. Healthcare is a key sector for the firm, which provides antitrust advice on sales of business and acquisitions of stakes in joint ventures, as well as representing clients in follow-on damages litigation. Counsel Nicolas Zacharie provides additional support.

Allen & Overy LLP’s practice head Florence Ninane and senior associate Roxane Hicheri act for Google in a high-profile abuse of dominance case before the FCA, a highlight for its focus on France’s new neighbouring rights legislation. The firm often handles investigations by public authorities, as well as defending clients against private abuse of dominance actions brought by competitors. Ninane and Hicheri also work with colleagues in other departments to advise on the competition aspects of M&A.

Christophe Lemaire leads the competition team at Ashurst LLP, which is a popular choice for major domestic clients. The firm is representing SNCF in a follow-on damages action before the Paris Court of Appeal, while the firm’s work for Engie is an example of its experience in state aid; the team advises the client on state aid notifications before the European Commission and European Court of Justice for two renewable energy projects each worth billions of euros. The firm also takes on merger control for tech acquisitions alongside corporate colleagues and those in other offices. Senior associate Guillaume Vatin joined from Bredin Prat in April 2022. Michaël Cousin left the firm in 2021.

Baker McKenzie advises on the merger control aspects of cross-border acquisitions; the competition team assisted corporate colleagues with the FCA notification for video game manufacturer Embracer’s €2.75bn acquisition of Asmodee Group, while practice head Léna Sersiron took the lead on advising Wonderbox ahead of its acquisition of a competitor, aided by senior associate Olivia Chriqui-Guiot, who joined from Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier in October 2021. The group also has strength representing clients in damages litigation, FCA investigations - with particular expertise in dawn raids - and assisting with compliance with competition regulations. Alex Dowding handles distribution networks and agreements. Romain Travade left the firm in May 2022.

Dechert LLP’s expertise is in the life sciences sector, with a strong pharmaceutical client base; Mélanie Thill-Tayara, who is co-head of the firm’s global life sciences practice, represented Roche before the Paris Court of Appeal in an appeal against an FCA sanction for alleged abuse of dominant position. The firm’s recent work has focused on antitrust litigation, particularly appeals against FCA sanctions and follow-on actions regarding cartels – including the alleged commodity chemicals and dairy products cartels – as well as advice on FCA investigations. Laurence Bary and Marion Provost have recently handled the appeal of a fine before the FCA.

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP’s strength is in merger control and foreign direct investment work, gaining European Commission and FCA clearance for billion-euro acquisitions. Eric Paroche is frequently aided by counsel Victor Levy in acting for investment funds on the competition aspects of acquisitions, with senior associate Céline Verney providing further support; the team works closely with the firm's private equity practice in this area. The team also handles antitrust proceedings before the FCA.

Much of Jones Day’s work in the competition sphere is cross-border, with the Paris team often working with other offices. Practice head Eric Barbier de la Serre led a team including Italian colleagues to successfully appeal Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance’s fine by the Italian Competition Authority, while the Brussels team, headed by Brussels-based Charlotte Breuvart, acted for French client EDF in numerous acquisitions and joint ventures, gaining clearance from global competition authorities such as the European Commission, FCA and Polish and Chinese authorities. With a practice covering merger control and representation in cartel cases, the firm also covers state aid. Counsel Eileen Lagathu is also noted.

Well-known for its experience in cartel cases, Mayer Brown's team has recently advised clients on cartel investigations by French and Polynesian authorities, with European antitrust practice co-head Natalie Jalabert-Doury, who is an expert in dawn raids, leading on work in this space. The group has also handled litigation before the European Court of Justice and has expertise in high-value merger control work. Jean-Maxime Blutel, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, co-leads with partners from other offices and departments on multi-jurisdictional merger control filings for acquisitions.

Cabinet Renaudier specialises exclusively in competition and distribution law, with particular experience in the retail sector, where it is active in claims of unfair restrictive practices and updating supplier contracts. The firm takes on clearance for acquisitions from the EU and French authorities, with founding partner Richard Renaudier a key name in this area. A unique area of experience is competition work in New Caledonia; the team advised a healthcare client on gaining authorisation from the New Caledonian Competition Authority, while Muriel Perrier and Violaine Ayrole took on abuse of dominant position litigation before the French and New Caledonian courts on behalf of a New Caledonian telecoms company. Karine Turbeaux and Marianne Le Moullec left the firm in September 2022.

Viguié Schmidt & Associés has seen an uptick in antitrust litigation and investigation work, including follow-on damages claims. Iñaki Saint-Esteben has recently been active in a case concerning vertical restraint in a recent acquisition and also brought an abuse of dominant position action for food and beverage suppliers before the Polynesian and French authorities and courts. The team also covers investigations by the FCA and European Commission, while Virginie Viallard oversees merger control advice on acquisitions, often collaborating with the corporate team.

White & Case LLP’s January 2021 hire Jérémie Marthan handles merger control for billion-euro acquisitions where he works closely with the firm’s corporate team and is assisted by senior associate Rahel Wendebourg. Practice head Yann Utzschneider takes on European Commission and FCA investigations, as well as litigation brought by authorities and competitors, including follow-on damages actions. Counsels Mickaël Rivollier, who represents clients in litigation into anticompetitive practices; Costanza Mussi, who was promoted in January 2021; and Estelle Jégou are other key names.

Merger control for cross-border acquisitions forms the core of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s competition practice, particularly for deals by private equity firms such as regular client PAI Partners, which the firm recently advised on four acquisitions. Faustine Viala often works with the corporate team to gain clearance from the European Commission, FCA and authorities around the world. The firm also covers state aid and antitrust litigation including follow-on actions. Brussels-based counsel David Kupka and senior associate Sylvain Petit provide assistance, with Kupka frequently advising private equity clients and Petit taking on complex merger control work.

Frédéric Fuchs at AYACHE handles antitrust litigation which often relates to cartels, such as the trucks and meal voucher cartels; it is pursuing a follow-on damages action for investment fund TransAtlantis and represents third-party participants in litigation before the Paris Court of Appeal, respectively. The firm also oversees FCA notifications for acquisitions, particularly for investment funds, and provides day-to-day competition advice Counsel Sébastien Dominguez left the firm in July 2022.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP launched a competition practice with the hire of Julie Catala Marty and her team from Franklin in April 2020. Often taking on cross-border matters, the firm has particular experience in the TMT sector, handling litigation which covers anticompetitive practices, distribution disputes and follow-on damages actions, as well as merger control procedures. Catala Marty covers FCA investigations, including into cartels, with the assistance of counsel Rémi Beydon, in addition to advising on state aid, risk prevention and compliance.

DLA Piper has a wealth of experience in merger control, including cross-border transactions. Practice head Edouard Sarrazin gained clearance for numerous acquisitions and joint ventures from the FCA, European Commission and French Polynesian Authority, for a client base including domestic and global corporates as well as investment funds. Counsel Céline Espesson assists with the antitrust litigation and investigations side of the practice.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s client base features major multinational TMT clients, particularly for antitrust litigation, with practice head Jérôme Philippe defending clients in FCA proceedings resulting from claims of abuse of dominance or lack of clarity and objectivity. The firm frequently acts in appeals and follow-on claims following cartel decisions by the FCA, handling work regarding the meal vouchers, carbon and graphite products, dairy products and trucks cartels, with counsel Petya Katsarska part of the team handling this work. The group also covers merger control for high-value and international transactions. Counsel François Gordon provides additional support.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a strong background in merger control, advising on a breadth of recent acquisitions and joint ventures including multimillion-euro transactions and cross-border deals. The firm has a strong client base in the finance sector, as well as acting for energy and telecoms clients. Sergio Sorinas aids the corporate team in merger work, such as insurer Generali’s €435m acquisition of La Médicale, while leading work for United Group’s acquisition of a competitor in Greece, requiring European Commission clearance. Counsel Marie Louvet assists Sorinas in merger control work as well as in appeals for finance clients against FCA fines, including as part of the meal voucher cartel case.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is highly active in merger control, predominately for investment funds but also including tech and retail clients. With Romain Ferla leading all matters, the firm advises on a range of acquisitions and sales, often gaining clearance from authorities in multiple jurisdictions. A highlight was the firm’s advice to investor CVC on the antitrust issues of its billion-euro investment. The practice also covers state aid issues, as well as working on FCA investigations and appeals, including an unusual request to lift a previous FCA injunction for Interflora.

At Dentons, Emmanuelle van den Broucke and associate Margaux Serra handle merger control matters for a range of cross-border M&A frequently working with the firm's corporate team. With sector experience in the consumer products, life sciences and automotive industries, the team focuses on merger control but also takes on investigations led by the DGCCRF and French authorities, into matters including cartels and product safety. Distribution issues are also covered, with the firm active for Gojo on negotiating distribution agreements, as well as state aid.

FIDAL‘s Philippe Vanni heads a very large competition team based in offices across the country, including Guillaume Pezzali, who has a wealth of recent distribution experience; Brussels-based Frédéric Puel, who takes on state aid matters; Boris Ruy, who handles competition litigation for the food and food retail industries; and Simon Hotte. The team represents clients in antitrust litigation, including appeals against FCA decisions and proceedings before the FCA regarding claims of anticompetitive practices, and handles both domestic and cross-border acquisitions. Litigation specialists Jean-Louis Fourgoux and Leyla Djavadi left the firm in December 2021.

Led by Dominique Heintz with the assistance of Maria Bagate, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, HW&H specialises in advising German companies and their French subsidiaries. The practice has a focus on antitrust work, advising on FCA proceedings and decisions, such as acting for Kärcher and retailer Krys Group in separate FCA investigations into alleged retail price maintenance, which both resulted in the respective actions being dismissed. The practice also has a considerable amount of recent experience in distribution matters, and has also handled work concerning merger control. Counting telecoms, mass-market retail and consumer products businesses among its client list, the team handles litigation and alternative dispute resolution, as well as advising on compliance.

Joffe & Associés’ practice head Olivier Cavezian has expertise in merger control, taking on notifications to the European and French competition authorities for a range of deals including cross-border transactions. The practice also covers FCA investigations and proceedings, including cartel matters; follow-on damages actions, for which it works with the litigation team; and distribution strategies. As well as acting for clients from the consumer goods, pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, the firm also advises eco-organisations on antitrust issues, with a unique knowledge of extended producer responsibility.

KPMG Avocats, France advises major French multinationals, including SNCF, and an array of clients from the automotive sector. The practice focuses on compliance, distribution and regulatory advice. Work also covers merger control, with the firm advising on FCA notifications, and power-purchase agreements. Practice head Emmanuel Tricot and senior managers Virginie Carvalho and Jean-Marc Tchernonog divide their time between Paris and Brussels, with Tricot and Carvalho heading the Brussels European law department.

Combining the competition practice’s experience in antitrust litigation and the firm’s general specialism in the technology sector, Osborne Clarke's team represents ContextLogic (WISH) in the first delisting of a marketplace case, working on litigation and negotiation with the DGCCRF. Recent work also includes defending against claims of abrupt termination of commercial relationships and abuse of market dominance. Practice head Alexandre Glatz also covers distribution issues and dawn raids; he is aided by senior associate Thibaut Marcerou.

Camille Paulhac takes on a range of merger control work at Paul Hastings LLP, with a strong practice in handling merger control filings for acquisitions by financial institutions. Much of Paulhac’s work involves advising US and European private equity and investment firms on cross-border deals, requiring merger control and foreign direct investment clearance from the FCA and European Commission as well as competition authorities around the world, such as in the US, Germany, Italy and China. The firm also covers abuse of dominance disputes, advising clients before the FCA and European Commission. Pierre Kirch divides his time between Paris and Brussels.

Reed Smith focuses on antitrust litigation, covering both private enforcement actions before the courts and public enforcement procedures by competition authorities. Headed by Marc Lévy and Natasha Tardif, the team often takes on cross-border work for multinational clients, working on cartels, anticompetitive practices and abuse of dominance matters. In addition, the firm also provides advice on distribution and consumer protection issues.

Simmons & Simmons’ Paris office has a strong client base in the life sciences sector which is reflected in the firm's competition practice. In recent work, the team advised Cooper Consumer Health on EU Commission referrals and the FDI regime during the client’s acquisition of Lashilé Beauty, as well as acting for multiple other pharmaceutical clients. Heading the firm’s EU competition practice, Ombline Ancelin covers both competition and distribution law, frequently advising on distribution networks with the aid of managing associate Florent Barbu. Ancelin also acts as sole lead in litigation; he recently defended a prominent food and beverage client in an unfair competition claim before the French courts, as well as collaborating with other teams, such as funds, corporate and litigation, to advise on merger control for joint ventures and antitrust litigation.

Dan Roskis heads the practice at Eversheds Sutherland (France) LLP, which focuses on compliance and day-to-day competition advice. Distribution is an additional key area of work, with the team advising on contracts and disputes. Retail is an area of specialism, with Roskis also covering e-commerce and media, and matters are often cross-border. Principal associate Thomas Strange provides support in merger control notifications before the European Commission, and associate Chloé Charbeaux is also noted.

Fieldfisher has particular experience in dawn raids. Practice head Anne-Laure-Hélène Des Ylouses is acting for clients in long-running FCA investigations and resultant proceedings, including litigation before the Supreme Court. The team also provides analysis of merger control for acquisitions as well as follow-on damages actions, compliance and regulations. Franck Veisse specialises in distribution, advising clients from the automotive, life sciences and retail sectors.

Lext Avocats centres its work on distribution law and litigation regarding unfair termination of commercial relationships. Headed by Sylvain Beaumont, Anne Bourdu, Gaëlle Leroy and Pierre-Lucas Thirion, the practice covers disputes regarding anticompetitive practices and distribution issues, as well as advising on distribution, franchising, supply and commercial agency agreements. With industry expertise in the tobacco, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronic products and supermarket sectors, the team also provides consumer law and product regulation advice.

Boutique law firm Niddam-Drouas Avocats is experienced in antitrust litigation and follow-on damages cases, representing clients in actions before the FCA, French Commercial Court and Paris Court of Appeal. Co-founder Marie De Drouas often acts for associations against major names, including appealing an FCA decision to reject a complaint against EDF on behalf of energy association Anode. The group has sector expertise in the energy, consumer goods and telecoms industries and also covers FCA filings for acquisitions, particularly acquisitions of joint control by multiple clients but also including a multi-jurisdictional matter which involved merger control work in Ukraine, Brazil, Turkey and Serbia.

Practice head Marta Giner Asins heads both the France and Morocco competition teams at Norton Rose Fulbright as well as the French life sciences practice, and is well-placed to advise major life sciences clients on the competition aspects of their partnerships with competitors. Giner Asins also has experience of joint ventures in the energy sector, with the practice advising Certas and Engie on gaining European Commission clearance for its joint venture. On the litigation side, the practice is active in cartel cases and, with the assistance of counsel Arnaud Sanz, takes on investigations by authorities such as the DIRECCTE and Competition Authority of New Caledonia. The firm also advises on foreign direct investment and compliance.

Osmose concentrates on distribution matters, with a strong focus on day-to-day advice on negotiating and drafting distribution agreements with retailers and compliance with competition law, but also taking on pre-litigation strategy in disputes. Melanie Comert heads the practice and frequently collaborates with commercial and IP/IT colleagues to advise multinational clients and multiple food and beverage and consumer goods businesses.