Well-regarded for its ability to marry a ‘high calibre, technical capability‘ with a ‘commercial and pragmatic’ approach, Linklaters LLP‘ sizeable practice is consistently engaged by some of the biggest companies in the world for assistance in high-stakes regulatory, transactional, and contentious matters. In recent months, the team has concentrated its position in the healthcare and technology sectors, advising on takeover bids, contractual breaches, and foreign investment clearance matters. Global antitrust and foreign investment head Nicole Kar maintains a prolific merger investigations practice, and serves as a key adviser to a diverse roster of financial institutions, retailers, mining groups, and healthcare operators. The group’s wide-ranging expertise in UK utility regulation – including sectoral regulator-led investigations and price control appeals – is underpinned by Natura Gracia, a dual-qualified (English and Spanish) state aid/subsidies and public procurement specialist who regularly advises a range of water companies and energy providers. Simon Pritchard is consistently engaged for his track record in Phase 2 merger inquiries, cartel investigations, and merger litigations, while Anna Mitchell is particularly strong in UK and EU merger control, investigations, and market studies. Managing associate Verity Egerton-Doyle, noted for her experienced in CMA merger investigations and CA98 cases, is especially well-versed in tech and life sciences matters. Cartel investigations specialist Rachel Hetherington is also recommended. Kar recently took over as global antitrust head following the departure of Christian Ahlborn.

Slaughter and May‘s ‘top-class‘ competition group possesses market-leading multijurisdictional capabilities across the full scope of antitrust investigations, merger control cases, subsidy control issues, and consumer law matters. The ‘wonderful‘ global competition co-chair Bertrand Louveaux is reputed for the depth of his practice, advising a mix of blue-chip manufacturers, financial services providers, and tech companies both on transactional matters and before the various regulatory authorities. Fellow global co-chair Claire Jeffs routinely coordinates merger approvals on a global scale, and is also noted for her experience in cartel and other behavioural cases. Philippe Chappatte is a highly experienced EU and UK competition law adviser, with recent highlights including proposed acquisitions in the biotech and health tech sectors. Multinational tech companies and sovereign states alike turn to Isabel Taylor for her expertise in state aid, subsidy control, and competition authority investigations – both at home and abroad. Lisa Wright ‘s recent focus encompasses e-commerce and financial services, while William Turtle has handled matters for the full scope of consumer goods manufacturers – from food and drink to luxury products. Senior counsel Tina Zhuo is also recommended. Jonathan Slade was promoted to partner in May 2022. All named lawyers work between the firm’s London and Brussels offices.

Allen & Overy LLP‘s antitrust team is a premier choice for a stellar line-up of financial services heavyweights and market-leading corporates spanning an exhaustive range of industries. London antitrust chair Mark Friend is a veteran market presence noted for the depth of his expertise in high-stakes mergers, State Aid matters, and market dominance investigations – both at the domestic and EU level. Philip Mansfield, who heads up the global antitrust group, is especially well regarded for his capabilities in merger, cartel, and behavioural matters in the tech sector. Working between the firm’s London and Brussels offices, Dominic Long runs the firm’s UK NSI and FDI desk, working with various TMT, energy, and healthcare entities on cross-border merger clearances and cartel investigations. Also dividing her time between London and Brussels, Kristina Nordlander, who joined the practice from Sidley Austin LLP in January 2022, is a seasoned advisor who acts on numerous EU behavioural and State aid cases as well as high-profile litigation in the EU courts. Promoted to partner in May 2022, Thomas Masterman works on some of the most high-profile deals taking place in the market, with recent engagements including multi-billion-pound mergers for major energy and logistics companies. Alasdair Balfour has left the practice to join Kirkland & Ellis International LLP.

Clifford Chance LLP’s ‘dedicated’ competition law team represents a number of household names including Amazon, Spotify and Mastercard. The team has a very strong practice in the tech, fintech and pharma sectors and also regularly advises on antitrust and foreign investment clearances for complex mergers. Greg Olsen, who has served on Bank of England and European Central Bank antitrust working groups, leads the team. He is supported by an impressive bench of partners including former Director of the CMA mergers group Nelson Jung and cartel and market investigations expert Alex Nourry . Sue Hinchliffe, who joined from General Electric in June 2021, brings more than 20 years of private practice experience to the team.

With a team of highly regarded partners covering a range of work including state aid, investigations and multi billion dollar mergers, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is praised by clients for providing ‘concrete advice‘. HSF’s competition group have a notable specialism in merger control work, having advised on deals for National Grid, Virgin Atlantic and Uber among others over the last 12 months. Global head of practice for competition, regulation and trade Stephen Wisking advises clients across a broad sweep of sectors including financial services, media and energy. Standout figures in his team are Susan Black, Kim Dietzel and the ‘excellent’ Veronica Roberts.

Leveraging its considerable global network, Hogan Lovells International LLP is well positioned to act for some of the world’s leading corporates on a host of big-ticket competition mandates. Practice head Christopher Hutton is a trusted adviser to a diverse roster of commercial banks, payment services providers, and tech companies, who turn to him for his experience in cross-border investigations and associated litigious proceedings. Veteran practitioner Susan Bright is an accomplished antitrust lawyer, while global telecoms head Angus Coulter advises widely on domestic competition issues in the TMT, life sciences, and retail sectors. The ‘exceptional’ Suyong Kim has most recently been engaged on the EC and CMA clearance aspects of various multi-billion dollar global transactions for consumer goods conglomerates and software companies. Counsel Alice Wallace-Wright is recommended for her expertise in unfair pricing investigations and anti-competitive conduct breaches. Mark Jones has left the practice.

Ashurst has a strong competition team with a wealth of experience in the field, notably supported by an in-house team of economists. The firm regularly advises on large mergers and cartel investigations. Nigel Parr and Euan Burrows respectively head Ashurst’s global and EMEA practices. Parr is described as ‘the best competition lawyer there is’ by one client. Duncan Liddell is another key partner and has a strong practice including advising on investigations into anticompetitive conduct. Steven Vaz has been involved in some of the firm’s key work this year and is noted by clients as a rising force.

Representing a collection of multinational clients across energy, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and numerous other sectors, Baker McKenzie has a ‘truly connected global practice’. Department head Keith Jones, alongside Samantha Mobley and Luis Alfonso Gómez , demonstrates experience in a range of matters. The firm acted on back to back multi-billion dollar transactions for Platinum Equity in 2021 and the team routinely works on the competition aspects of high-stakes and complex cross-border transactions. James Robinson offers expertise on cartel issues and investigations, advising on behavioural compliance, immunity and settlement.

The ‘tremendous‘ Latham & Watkins fields a strong bench of partners and associates, whose collective experience and acumen make them well positioned to advise on the full gamut of contentious and non-contentious competition matters. Merger control proceedings, including Phase II investigations both in the UK and before the European Commission, are a key workflow for the team, which is also capable in cartel defences, abuse of dominance issues, and CMA investigations. The team is jointly chaired by mergers expert Jonathan Parker and the ‘excellent’ David Little, who regularly represents TMT, financial services, and life sciences clients in proceedings before the European Commission and the CMA. The ‘super bright‘ associate Greg Bonné is recommended for his deep experience in Phase I and II merger investigations, as well as on big-ticket proposed acquisitions. Fellow associate Stephanie Adams is noted for her knowledge of foreign investment screening and subsidy control. All named lawyers are based in London, with the exception of David Little, who divides his time between London and Brussels.

Macfarlanes LLP‘s combination of ‘excellent legal knowledge and commercial acumen‘ makes them a strong choice for a wide variety of clients, ranging from pharmaceutical companies to industrial manufacturers. Steered by practice head Malcolm Walton, the team regularly advises on cross-jurisdictional merger control actions, FDI proceedings, and high-stakes investigations instigated by the CMA, among other relevant authorities. Cameron Firth is widely lauded by peers and clients alike for his capabilities in CMA investigations and merger control matters, most notably in the pharmaceutical sector. The ‘excellent‘ Tom Usher is recommended for his ‘unparalleled’ competition knowledge in the financial services and broadcasting sectors, while Emma Radcliffe draws equal praise for her work in cross-border cartel investigations. Simon Day specialises in private damage actions for competition law breaches, including collective and individual claims.

Norton Rose Fulbright's competition team has an ‘international span‘ and displays broad strength and expertise, with particular focus on financial institutions, consumer brands, transport and energy. Mark Simpson, who has more than 20 years experience, leads the London team ,while Ian Giles heads up the practice across the EMEA region.  The practice is expanding in the areas of competition litigation and contentious regulatory work. Growth in the area of litigation was reflected in the promotion of Helen Fairhead to partner in January 2022, while the firm has recently added Bloomberg and Ritchie Bros. as clients.

Addleshaw Goddard has a compact but dedicated competition team in London, supported by the wider firm's network across the UK and internationally. The team has 'the bandwidth to deal with all types of competition work'; the ‘technically excellent’ Bruce Kilpatrick  is known for his expertise in merger control. Mark Molyneux  heads the competition litigation practice from Manchester, while Rona Bar-Isaac has a depth of experience in complex market investigations.

With longstanding expertise in the technology and life sciences sectors, Bristows LLP‘s team, which works across London and Brussels,  is regularly drafted in to advise on complex matters at the intersection between IP and competition law. The team is led jointly by the ‘simply excellent‘ Stephen Smith and technology and pharmaceutical sector expert Sophie Lawrance .  It is able to offer a full range of advice on everything from strategic transactions, to EU and UK competition investigations and disputes.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner 's London competition team offer substantial and varied competition advice on matters including merger control and investigations. Practice Andrew Hockley - who has of late been primarily based in Sydney - is well regarded in the competition law arena and provides a ‘comprehensive service‘. His clients have included Tesco, BT, AIG and Royal Mail and he has direct experience from the energy sector as former competition counsel for BP. Chris Bryant, with extensive experience in EU competition and trade law, leads the firm’s cross-practice Brexit team.

Supporting the wider firm's leading US and Brussels competition practices, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's London competition practice is in growth mode. Well-regarded former Office of Fair Trading and Slaughter and May lawyer Jackie Holland joined in 2021, strengthening a team that includes key partners Nicholas Levy and Maurits Dolmans. The team advises on a range of complex matters including CMA and European investigations and competition litigation.

Drawing on its huge international platform to provide clients with a truly international offering, CMS has a strong practice with particular capabilities in the digital, media, energy and pharmaceuticals sectors. The team, which is led by the ‘effective’ and ‘approachable’ Brian Sher, counts Microsoft, the BBC and GSK among its clients. The team was bolstered by the arrival of Neil Baylis from Mishcon de Reya LLP in August 2023. Former practice co-head Caroline Hobson left for Cooley (UK) LLP.

Advising on the competition aspects of large volumes of international M&A transactions, DLA Piper is engaged by an extensive roster of corporate clients. Sarah Smith leads the team and also represents clients in the Competition Appeals Tribunal. She is supported by Alexandra Kamerling, Sam Szlezinger and Matt Evans, who joined in August 2021 from Jones Day.

Independent competition boutique, Euclid Law offers competition and foreign direct investment advice. It has particular expertise working with the London arms of US law firms and accounting firms. With an office in Brussels as well as London, it has regularly acted on phase I and phase II merger clearances before the European Commission and CMA.  Euclid’s partners have all previously worked within major international law firms before joining the team. Founder Oliver Bretz is ably supported by specialists including Becket McGrath, Gavin Robert and Sarah Long.

Advising on merger control matters and investigations and demonstrating a specialist knowledge of Foreign Direct Investment regimes in many jurisdictions, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has ‘a very strong team’. Led by highly experienced competition lawyers Ros Kellaway and James Lindop, the competition team at Eversheds also contains the ‘exceptional‘ Julia Woodward-Carlton  and highly rated Jessica Martin , who is viewed by some clients as an expert in the automotive sector following a secondment at Volkswagen.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is building momentum in the London competition market, attracting more high profile clients and taking on an increasing amount of CMA investigations work. Ali Nikpay is highly regarded and serves as a non-governmental adviser to the UK CMA as well as heading Gibson’s competition team. Deirdre Taylor has led on some of the firm’s most important and complex work over the past 12 months.

Fielding a highly regarded team of talented partners, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP‘s London practice is reputed for its strength in big-ticket, multi-jurisdictional mergers and consequent investigative proceedings. In recent months, the team has advised on transactions facing varying degrees of regulator scrutiny, working with blue-chip clients from the worlds of TMT, natural resources, and financial services. The ‘immensely valuable’ practice head Paula Riedel is praised by clients and peers alike for her far-reaching expertise in high-value transactions, regularly representing corporates before the European Commission and the CMA. The team is also noted for its nascent but prolific UK FDI filing practice, where dual-qualified (Belgian and English) Sally Evans and NSI specialist Mark Gardner are central figures. The ‘excellent’ Matthew Sinclair-Thomson works with a number of the firm’s most high-profile clients – including cybersecurity and aerospace conglomerates – while the dual-qualified (English and German) Michael Engel's ‘highly committed and collaborative‘ approach sees him advising on full scope of EU, German, and UK-governed competition issues. Alasdair Balfour joined the team from Allen & Overy LLP in April 2022, while Sarah Jordan and Annie Herdman have left the practice for Goodwin and Ropes & Gray LLP respectively.

Pinsent Masons LLP draws considerable praise from clients, who laud the competition team for its 'scale and scope' across both contentious and non-contentious matters. Global chair Alan Davis is reputed for his 'extraordinarily versatile' capabilities in both investigations and litigious proceedings, while the 'highly impressive' Angelique Bret advises on all aspects of consumer protection law. Totis Kotsonis is recommended for his expertise in subsidies, procurement, trade agreements, and trade remedies.

Working in close collaboration with its US colleagues, Shearman & Sterling LLP‘s London office is regularly engaged on the full scope of competition law matters, ranging from merger control and FDI clearance, to EC-led cartel investigations and subsidy control compliance. The team is led by the prolific Matthew Readings, a financial services specialist who also serves as the firm’s global head of antitrust. James Webber‘s considerable knowledge of UK subsidy control regimes and state aid matters makes him a key port of call for a range of clients in the chemical, automotive, financial services, and media sectors. Mark Steenson, who was promoted to counsel in July 2021, routinely advises on both transactional and behaviour competition law matters. Senior associates Gabriella Griggs and Simon Thexton are also noted. All named lawyers are based between London and Brussels.

Simmons & Simmons is regularly engaged by a range of healthcare, life sciences, TMT, and financial services companies for its capabilities in multi-jurisdictional merger control and antitrust matters, as well as behavioural investigations. Practice chair Satyen Dhana is frequently sought out by financial institutes for his expertise in FCA-driven investigations and cartel inquiries, while the highly experienced Charles Bankes draws praise from clients for his ‘unparalleled‘ knowledge of EU and competition law in the utilities sector.  Mark Jephcott‘s knowledge of Asian competition regimes – particularly those of Greater China, Hong Kong, and Singapore – makes him a key contact for cross-border transactions in the tech, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors. Managing associate David Trapp is recommended for his experience advising on 101/102 and CA98 investigations.

Travers Smith LLP‘s capabilities in cross-border merger control are complemented by  a robust behavioural and cartel defence-side offering. Practice head Nigel Seay‘s recent non-contentious engagements include EU-wide merger clearance obligations for clients in the infrastructure and private equity sectors. Stephen Whitfield is noted for his diverse practice focus, working with a broad array of corporates on UK and EU cartel investigations and EC-led sector inquiries. Senior associate Ingrid Rogers garners superlative praise from clients for her expertise in CMA regimes, including the recently enacted UK National Security and Investment (NSI) legislation. Senior counsel Paul McComb is also noted.

Commended by clients for its ‘impressive cross-jurisdictional expertise‘, White & Case LLP is well-versed in the full gamut of UK and EU competition matters. Practice chair Marc Israel is a highly experienced antitrust lawyer, lauded by blue-chip corporates for his ‘responsive and pragmatic’ advocacy in multi-jurisdictional merger control proceedings. Alexandra Rogers is praised for the breadth of her domestic and international expertise, encompassing Phase I and II merger control reviews, cartel investigations, and e-Discovery issues in competition cases. Associate Kate Keilliher notably focuses on competition, regulatory, and state aid concerns in the energy sector. All named lawyers work between Brussels and London.

Akin‘s London competition team advises many large multinationals, investment funds and top financial institutions in behavioural, state aid, merger control and complex litigation cases. Head of the team Davina Garrod ‘knows the competitive dynamics and regulatory overlay in her clients’ markets inside-out’. She is supported by antitrust specialist Scott Pettifor, who was promoted to partner in January 2022.

Dentons offers an international practice covering both contentious and non-contentious competition law issues. The group has particular expertise in merger control and Foreign Direct Investment matters. The team has expanded under the leadership of the ‘exceptional‘ Adrian Magnus, supported by Christopher Graf, who is regularly instructed on merger control matters.

Supporting both regulators and regulated businesses, Fieldfisher advises on a range of competition issues including mergers, investigations, litigation, advisory and compliance work. The team is led by John Cassels, who has a strong record in investigations cases. He is supported by Nicholas Pimlott, who is known for his work in the media sector, and Stephen May, who specialises in competition dispute resolution.

Supporting its US offices on merger control work and with a particularly strong reputation in private equity, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP ‘s London based competition team is led by the ‘exemplary’ Tobias Caspary . He is supported by Neda Moussavi, whom one client describes as ‘superb’, and who is also helping to develop Fried Frank’s Brussels office.

With a broad competition practice with a particular strength in state-aid work, Gowling WLG‘s team is led by Bernardine Adkins. Samuel Beighton, who has a background in competition economics, is another key team member and advises on merger control, investigations and dawn raids.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP‘s London competition and regulatory group has been through a period of change following a several departures. However, the addition of several senior litigators from Mishcon de Reya LLP , whose practices overlap with the competition and regulatory group’s work, has nonetheless bolstered the team. The group advises regularly on deal driven merger control cases and antitrust defence. It is also targeting growth in real estate competition matters. The team is led by Gillian Sproul, who has more than 30 years’ competition and regulatory experience.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP is particularly noted for the strength of its competition offering in the pharmaceutical sector, where the ‘always reliable, thorough, and commercial‘ practice handles a formidable volume of CMA investigations. Practice head Frances Murphy drives many of the team’s most high-profile contentious and non-contentious engagements, while Omar Shah‘s focus encompasses cross-border merger control and FDI regulatory clearances. Joanna Christoforou and Leonidas Theodosiou are also recommended.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP is regularly sought out by market-leading tech companies for its merger control expertise in big-ticket transactions. The team is also highly capable in behavioural antitrust cases and investigations governed by various market regulators, including the European Commission and the CMA. The ‘experienced and trustworthy‘ of counsel Matthew Rose is recommended.

A litany of corporates from sectors including shipping, logistics, media and entertainment, energy, and natural resources, and agriculture turn to Reed Smith LLP for the scope of its competition expertise. Practice head Marjorie Holmes is noted for her expertise in foreign direct investment, cross-border M&A clearance, and compliance matters. The ‘outstanding’ Ross Mackenzie regularly advises high-profile corporates on mergers, antitrust issues, and market investigations. Associate Emma Weeden specialises in retail and consumer goods competition matters, while fellow associate Vaibhav Adlakha is recommended for his ‘impressive‘ knowledge of state aid and FDI compliance.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ ‘excellent team’ possesses a truly multifarious competition offering, regularly advising on multi-jurisdictional merger clearance processes, cartel investigations, FDI reviews, and state aid matters. Newly appointed global practice chair Diarmuid Ryan enjoys a stellar reputation on account of his far-reaching EU and UK competition expertise and associated compliance advice. Triple-qualified (English, Belgian, and Irish) Martin Rees is called on to handle cartel and abuse of dominance investigations before the CMA and the European Commission, while Francesco Liberatore is highly regarded for his niche expertise in the communications sector. Senior associate Tatiana Siakka is also recommended. All named lawyers are based between London and Brussels.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP continues to bolster its position in the London competition market, significantly strengthening its antitrust litigation offering with the hire of Boris Bronfentrinker and much of his team from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP in November 2021. On the non-contentious side, the firm is regularly engaged by a number of blue-chip corporate clients for assistance in multi-jurisdictional merger control matters, compliance reviews, and abuse of dominance inquiries. The ‘pragmatic and commercial‘ practice head Philipp Girardet is noted for his niche expertise in cartel investigations. Rahul Saha focuses on Phase I investigations facing prospective transactions.

Arnold & Porter‘s London competition law team, headed by John Schmidt, is integrated with the competition litigation offering led by Jane Wessel to provide a service that supports clients through all stages of the matters they bring to the firm. The team acts on large mergers and numerous behavioural matters. The firm, which has been trying to grow its competition practice, takes pride in the fact that many of its competition lawyers are dual qualified in EU member states, so can continue to act before European courts post Brexit.

Bird & Bird LLP’s competition practice spans a broad range of work, including the provision of advice on merger clearances and the national security aspects of acquisitions. The team, led by Peter Willis, has represented household names including Costa Coffee and Hershey’s. Willis is supported by associate Ariane Le Strat and the ‘outstanding’ Saskia King (legal director).

Praised for their ‘hands on, no-nonsense‘ approach and ‘deep experience of competition cases’, Burges Salmon LLP is well-versed in all manner of merger clearance mandates, investigations, State aid, subsidy control, and procurement matters – particularly in the retail, transport, healthcare, financial services, tech, and utilities sectors. Working across the firm’s London and Bristol offices, Chris Worrall routinely advises on the competition aspects of big-ticket acquisitions, most recently for blue-chip software companies and national supermarket chains. The Bristol-based John Houlden is a key figure within the practice for State aid and subsidy control work, while director Noel Beale is rated for his ‘calm and reassuring style’ as well as his ‘excellent industry and regulator knowledge’.

Advising on merger control matters in the pharmaceutical, tech and financial services sectors and demonstrating expertise in enforcement investigations, Covington & Burling LLP ‘s competition team continues to develop under the astute leadership of James Marshall. A notable talent at the firm is Sophie Albrighton, who has been key to assisting with major transactions in the past year after joining from Dentons.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP‘s competition team advises clients on large multi-jurisdictional merger control issues and behavioural matters. ‘Able to deliver very detailed and complex analyses in short timeframes’, the team is highly regarded by its clients. The practice head is Timothy McIver, a ‘technically astute’ competition lawyer of more than 20 years’ experience. Anne-Mette Heemsoth regularly advises on foreign investment risk and has a background in acting on merger control investigations before the European Commission.

With specialisms in shipping, commodities, construction and aviation, HFW‘s competition team caters for clients in trade, industry and logistics. It is also known for its provision of state aid and subsidy control advice. The team is headed by ‘ultimate safe pair of hands’ Anthony Woolich. Senior partner Daniel Martin is, notably, an expert on international sanctions. The team is a leader in the Aegean region, working closely with HFW’s Piraeus office and advising the Republic of Cyprus.

Working with a diverse roster of blue-chip multinational clients, Jones Day routinely handles cross-border merger control matters with significant regulatory implications. The team was recently bolstered by the arrival of new practice head Mark Jones – an experienced adviser in cartel, monopoly, and market investigation matters – who joined from Hogan Lovells International LLP in March 2022. Of counsel Jason Beer is recommended for his knowledge of the UK NSI regime, and for his sector-specific capabilities in automotive manufacturing and industrials.

The ‘excellent‘ K&L Gates LLP attracts considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities in transactional and behavioural competition matters – particularly in the verticals space. Practice head Jennifer Marsh‘s recent highlights include big-ticket merger filings and bespoke distribution strategies, working with a strong mix of consumer goods heavyweights. Gabriela Da Costa – who was promoted to partner in March 2022 – is well-versed in EU and UK vertical competition law, working with numerous brands on the implementation and enforcement of go-to-market strategies. Senior associate Michal Kocon and associate Georgina Rigg are also recommended.

Leveraging its sizeable global network and close ties with the wider disputes practice, Mayer Brown International LLP‘s competition team handles numerous cross-border matters for a varied roster of corporate clients. Practice head David M. Harrison is a highly active adviser who variously advises on transnational mergers and investigations instigated by both domestic and foreign regulators. The ‘excellent‘ Julian Ellison – based between Brussels and London – is noted for the breadth of his capabilities, ranging from state aid to cartel inquiries.  Counsel Sarwenaz Kiani – who joined the team from Baker McKenzie in October 2021 – divides her time between the firm’s London and Düsseldorf offices.

The team at Ropes & Gray LLP  was recently strengthened by the arrival of Annie Herdman, a reputed antitrust lawyer who joined the team from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in March 2022.

Sidley Austin LLP fields a 'very commercial, expert and creative' London team that regularly works on a sweep of multi-billion-dollar, cross-border deals, cartel investigations, and market studies. The 'excellent' Patrick Harrison is a dual-qualified (English and Belgian) advisor whose recent engagements include big-ticket transactions in broadcasting and payment services sectors. Also dual-qualified in English and Belgian law, Vincent Brophy possesses over two decades' experience handling merger control and investigations, while counsel Rosanna Connolly also advises clients on strategic transactions, including in cases taken before the CMA, the EC, and other national competition authorities.

Praised as 'a strong practice which is particularly well-placed for merger work', Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP's London office regularly works in collaboration with the firm's wider network of offices on a steady stream of market-leading transactions. Antonio Bavasso - a 'very capable, experienced, and charismatic' partner who heads up the European antitrust and foreign investments group - advises a diverse roster of blue-chip clients on merger control cases, including before the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and the EU General Court.  Lauded for his 'wide knowledge and commercial understanding' Étienne Renaudeau specialises in obtaining antitrust approvals on high-profile, cross-border deals, with recent highlights including multi-billion-dollar acquisitions in the tech and chemical sectors. At the counsel level, Josh Buckland is recommended for his proficiency in media, IT, and telecoms matters.

Stephenson Harwood‘s ‘quick and pragmatic’ team is well-versed in the full scope of transactional, behavioural, and advisory competition matters. The team is particularly noted for its capabilities in cartel investigations, advising on multi-jurisdictional inquiries in the financial services and transport sectors. The highly active practice chair Marta Isabel Garcia is praised by clients for the breadth of her EU and UK competition expertise, ranging from merger control to UK NSI regime compliance. Senior associate Bryony Roy’s experience is concentrated in financial services, life sciences, technology and industrial gases.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP  made a key hire for its City base in summer 2021 with the addition of 'star performer' Jenine Hulsmann from Clifford Chance LLP; she is one of a series of additions described as 'a real declaration of intent' by the US firm. The team routinely works alongside colleagues in Washington DC on major matters, including high-stakes M&A deals, competition investigations and appeals.

Winston & Strawn LLP regularly handles highly technical competition matters – both behavioural and transactional – for a diverse roster of blue-chip corporations. Hailed by clients as ‘an excellent lawyer with a sharp, analytical mind‘, practice chair Peter Crowther possesses wide-ranging expertise in EU and CMA investigations, particularly in the sports, telecoms, and electronics sectors. Associate Freya MacCormack is also recommended.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP’s London competition team is regularly involved in cases in competition law enforcement, representing a number of luxury brands in connection with the overhaul of the UK and EU competition rules on vertical agreements. The team is also the UK representative member of the pan-European Anti-Trust Alliance of Competition law firm practices, which aims to provide an integrated offering to clients across compliance, cartels and advisory work on a multi-jurisdictional level. Team head Paul Stone  advises on all aspects of EU and UK competition law and has specialised in this area for over 20 years.

Proficient in a range of cross-jurisdictional merger control filings and CMA-driven investigations, Mishcon de Reya LLP is noted for its capabilities in the online and fast-growth tech sectors. The practice is headed up by contentious specialist Sarah Houghton and offers advice to a range of clients, such as financial services institutes, gaming companies, and trade associations, to name a few.  Managing associate Gwen Ballin-Reeler’s recent instructions encompasses tech, retail, and agriculture. Neil Baylis left the firm to join CMS in August 2023.

Preiskel & Co LLP is praised by clients for the depth of its behavioural competition capabilities in the tech, media, and telecom sectors. The ‘creative and engaged‘ practice chair Tim Cowen is particularly noted for his expertise in a range of CMA and European Commission-instigated abuse of dominance claims, acting for both defendants and complainants. Associate Raluca Sterian is also noted.

Shoosmiths LLP is entrusted by a diverse roster of well-known corporates for assistance across a range of competition matters, ranging from merger clearance and anti-competitive conduct investigations to remedy implementation strategies. Competition law head Simon Barnes, who works between the firm’s London and Reading offices, is praised for his ‘exceptional’ client service.

Based in Guilford, Stevens & Bolton LLP’s competition team acts for clients across the retail, food and beverage, technology and life sciences sectors on merger control and state aid matters, in addition to CMA investigations. Practice leader Gustaf Duhs is praised for his ‘excellent expertise in competition law and quick thinking’.

An array of blue-chip corporate clients turn to Taylor Wessing LLP for its capabilities in multi-jurisdictional merger control matters. Dual-qualified (English and Italian) Paolo Palmigiano’s deep expertise in regulated sectors ensures that he is consistently sought out by both public and private sector entities. Senior counsel Louisa Penny’s broad focus encompasses TMT, consumer goods, retail, and life sciences.

Noted for its ‘unique expertise in the aviation and maritime sectors’, Watson Farley & Williams LLP advises its roster of clients on matters pertaining to merger control regulations, abuse of dominant position and agreements with third party suppliers. Practice leader Solange Leandro ‘has strong international experience’ and provides ‘commercial and succinct advice’ on EU and UK competition compliance matters. Senior advisor Philippe Ruttley is another key member of the team.