As competition law increasingly influences critical aspects of corporate and commercial strategy, first-class competition advice is vital for doing business globally.
Our dedicated competition lawyers work across Europe, the US, South America and the developing competition regimes of Asia. Clients come to us for expert, commercial advice on their most complex national, EU and global antitrust matters.
The multi-national and multi-lingual nature of our team allows us to understand the national policy concerns that shape global competition policy and to maintain strong relationships with authorities and enforcement agencies across the globe. We regard a deep understanding of our clients’ business and strategy as essential to successfully defending their interests. Our ability to quickly get to grips with new businesses is a key strength.
Linklaters’ unrivalled competition law expertise covers merger control, cartels and dawn raids, competition litigation, market and sector investigations, abuse of dominance, state aid, public procurement and economic or utilities regulation. Our eLearning tools also offer an economic and effective way of training lawyers and business managers on competition law issues.
Recent transactions include advising
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Johnson & Johnson on EU and global merger clearances required to acquire Synthes Inc., a global supplier of orthopaedic devices. This is Johnson & Johnson’s largest ever acquisition
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Rio Tinto on EU and global antitrust clearances for its US$116bn iron ore joint venture with BHP Billiton, one of the largest industrial joint ventures ever attempted
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a leading airline regarding the air cargo cartel, and subsequent private class action litigation, being investigated by the European Commission, Department of Justice and various non EU Authorities
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a participant in the global marine hoses cartel involving investigations around the world and unprecedented co-operation between competition authorities globally including the European Commission, the US Department of Justice, the UK Office of Fair Trading and the Japanese Fair Trade Commission
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leading industry players on the Commission’s healthcare sector investigation and other national investigations including in the energy, groceries, banking and fuel sectors
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twenty major financial institutions across Europe on state aid issues arising from the financial crisis including bank rescues, restructuring and recapitalisation
