2011 Competition Super League

Special feature ------Special feature Special www.practicallaw.com/1-504-6926

, which also retains its position in relation to the last emanating from the financial crisis, including the Commis emanating from the financial restructurings of several review of the state-backed sion’s German banks. investiga Acting for major blue-chip companies in cartel in the tions, including a landmark case which culminated first ever settlement under its new cartel Commission’s settlement procedure. of the year’s Advising on the competition aspects of some such as major multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, US$2.7billion acquisition by Hewlett Packard. 3Com’s up from highly recommended to leading in the latest rankings on account of its involvement in some complex merger control cases. The firm isalso ranked highly recommended in Germany suffered office Stockholm the Europe, in Elsewhere Portugal. and it but 2010 of end the towards departures significant of couple a the on have will this any, if impact, what determine to early too is Scandinavian competition practice. firm’s land, Germany and The Netherlands, and highly recommended in recommended highly and Netherlands, The and Germany land, Italy and Spain. While Europe is the core of the firm’s competi tion practice, its reach and reputation are global. Indeed, Fresh in our US rankings. fields is the highest ranked non-US firm Having successfully weathered the downturn and with a remark able 46 individual recommendations worldwide, we can expect Freshfields to remain a top-tier competitioncome. firm for years to Linklaters two editions of the Super League, remains a formidable compe tition practice. Although the firm is considered a global leader in all aspects of competition law, its transactional expertise is as evidenced by particularly its praiseworthy, role as global com petition counsel to Rio Tinto in its attempted US$116 production joint venture with BHP Billiton. billion high several in role instrumental an played Linklaters addition, In profile state aid cases, such as the government recapitalisations of RBS and Lloyds, and the subsequent investigations Commission. cartelThe andfirm’s contentious by practice was also the cartel largest the including matters, remarkable some in involved Trading (OFT). case ever brought by the UK Office of Fair endorsements, European of array impressive an boasts Linklaters including leading rankings in the European Union Belgium, England, (Brussels), France and Poland. The Paris office moved Freshfields remains as forceful as ever in Europe,ranked leading in the European Union (Brussels), Belgium, Eng where it is ------see see CROSS-BORDER HANDBOOKS www.practicallaw.com/competitionhandbook 9 CROSS-BORDER HANDBOOKS www.practicallaw.com/competitionhandbook - PLC Fresh Competition Su ). Which lawyer? PLC retains the top spot in 2011, confirm ). Representing some of Europe’s foremost financial institu foremost financial Representing some of Europe’s tions in state aid cases relating to bank restructurings Cross-border ing its status as the world’s over pre-eminent instructions of array competition impressive an practice. accumulated has firm The including: the past year, As in the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Super League, fields Bruckhaus Deringer methodology acknowledges the fact that no competition practice least at in endorsed highly not is it if elite truly considered be can one of the international epicentres of competition activity ( box, Methodology methodology. methodology. Under this methodology, recommendations in key teams comprises (which Union European the as such jurisdictions based in Brussels) and the USA (Washington DC), are awarded twice as many points as those in other jurisdictions. The revised box, Competition Super League 2011 The 2011 Super League table was compiled using a revised Against this background, the successfully most have that firms the identifies 2011 League per ( year past the over capabilities advisory global their displayed one country is no longer enough. These days, clients expect major expect clients days, These enough. longer no is country one law firms to co-ordinate the provision of competition law advice across multiple jurisdictions. Transactions and disputes have become increasingly global in re in global increasingly become have disputes and Transactions cent years and international law firms have had to readjust their competition practices accordingly. Providing excellent advice in mission’s 2007 prohibition mission’s decision. There was also an increase in follow-on damages litigation in Europe, with the UK gradually case. becoming a European hub for this type of the European Commission (Commission). EU the as such cases landmark of number a witnessed also 2010 General Court’s dismissal of Ryanair’s appeal against the Com oped and emerging markets. Investigations into specific industry sectors were another particularly noteworthy trend. Another sig the was stage competition European the on development nificant establishment of a new settlement procedure for cartel cases by During 2010, behavioural issues and cartel investigations con tinued to feature highly on regulators’ agendas in both devel resurgence (with the accompanying increase in merger control cases). In parallel, competition regulators in the EU continued monitoring the state-backed restructurings which a number of recent crisis. financial institutions carried out during the 2010 was a busy year for competition practitioners. After relatively quiet two years, large M&A deals experienced a moderate Alvaro Fornazini, Caroline Friend and Orlando Fernández Caroline Friend and Orlando Alvaro Fornazini, PLC Competition 2011 Volume 1 Volume 2011 Competition Super League Competition 2011 Special feature 10 A&O hiredElaineJohnstonfrom practice, anti-trust US burgeoning its to gravitas add to attempt an In Sweden. of AB Vattenfall by takeover billion EUR10.3 its of clearance EU the on Energy N.V.Nuon of representation the was office Amsterdam outstanding the from highlight recent A strong. also is markets European England other in Italy.presence and Its (Brussels), Union European the Belgium, recom in highly mended and Netherlands The in leading ranked is A&O sel inmajordeals. tions have enabled it to secure instructions as competition coun in Europe, where its stellar expertise in finance and M&A transac and cases. The primary focus of the firm’s competition practice is transactions high-end complex, in dexterity and markets ropean Eu major the in presence strong practice, transactional perior Overy’s & Allen pean ones,ClearyscontinuestoinvestinitsUKpractice. Euro continental its than visible less is office London its though Al Germany. and France Belgium, in recommended highly and (Brussels) and Washington DC, Clearys is ranked leading in Italy, Union European the in endorsements leading its to addition In acquisition oftheNorthAmericanBottlingOperationsCCE. its in Company Coca-Cola The for counsel anti-trust/competition global as acting include highlights multi-jurisdictional Recent lawyers arebasedinEurope. recommended its of half that fact the by illustrated is prowess as strong in European competition matters. Cleary’s transatlantic sels). Peers and clients both acknowledge that no other US firm is anti-trust activity: Washington DC and the European Union (Brus competition/ of hubs global two main the in reputation ceptional Cleary Gottlieb is a rare example of a firm with an entrenched, ex Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton go by. to anything are successes past if clients retain to ability firm’s However,the on impact will departure this that unlikely seems it EU. the and England in status firm’s the for have could expert, competition transactional leading a Baxter, Simon of departure the that impact the about uncertainty some was there writing, of time the At DC. Washington in recognised also is It Poland. and mended in England, the European Union (Brussels), France, Italy Clifford Chance is leading in Spain and Russia, and highly recom reviews. merger in products source open and standards private assess to how sector,including IT the in control merger about issues plex com raised deal Oracle the magnitude, this of transaction a in aspects control merger usual the to addition In Microsystems. Sun of acquisition billion US$7.4 its in Corporation Oracle ed mission in relation to its merger with BA. The firm also represent Com the before counsel as Iberia for act firm the saw year past the of representations significant most Chance’s Clifford of One formidable its competition practice. of drivers key are juggernaut transactional a as recognition and presence firm’s global The position. third taking Chance Clifford Special feature PLC CROSS-BORDER HANDBOOKS www.practicallaw.com/competitionhandbook climbs the rankings for the second year running, year second the for rankings the climbs expertise in competition law stems from its su its from stems law competition in expertise drops to fourth from third place. White &Case in2010. ------counsel forbrewinggiantCarlsberg. competition/anti-trust global as appointment its was firm the for highlight recent A future. near the in importance strategic vital petition legislation, Baker’s status in this jurisdiction could be of com country’s the of overhaul planned the and years recent in highly recommended. Given the increase in Brazilian deal activity is it where Brazil including economies, emerging fastest-growing world’s the of some in positioned uniquely is firm the Australia, recommendations in England, the European Union (Brussels) and its to addition In reach. global enviable its er’sto due is success Bak of Much League. year’sSuper this in place seventh secure it helped presence geographical unparalleled and transactions McKenzie & Baker Germany. bolster its ratings, along with a steadfast presence in France and to continue Brussels from recommendations Europe, In Optics. Medical Advanced of acquisition billion US$2.9 its on ratories The firm drew strong accolades for its role acting for Abbott Labo America. corporate across relationships client strong develop to practice anti-trust its enabled has US the in activity commercial Angeles. Jones Day’s presence in virtually all the main centres of Los in recommended highly and Atlanta, and DC Washington in leading ranked is it where US, the in strong the particularly is jurisdictions, firm of array wide a in endorsed Although 2009. Day Jones visible transactional leaning. While it may not have the geograph a has practice anti-trust/competition its firms, law M&A leading world’s the of one as pedigree firm’s the to Due place. eleventh Flom & Meagher Slate Arps Skadden practice. M&A its recommendedprimarilyfromendorsementhighlystems itsFrance,where SiliconvisiblemainlyValley.in is Europe,it In and Francisco San in and nationwide US the in recommended relatingcertainaof usethepharmaceutical.to Thefirm highlyis case complex a in regulators Minnesota and CommissionTrade cessful representation of Lundbeck in its defeat of the US Federal last year. One of the firm’s biggest highlights of 2010 was the suc WatkinsLatham& reach makeitonetowatchin2011. and expertise combined firm’s new The jurisdictions. European was considered a consistent competition adviser across the main Lovells Likewise, Europe. in recognition strong enjoyed and ters mat anti-trust US on expertise its for recommended highly was Hartson & Hogan merger, the Before 2010. of merger firm law transatlantic renowned most the by created synergies the on ise Lovells, Hogan Trevor Soames. leader, profile high and architect its of departure the with fered suf recently has investment competition European its However France. and (Brussels) Union European the in endorsed also and Spain in leading ranked is side, contentious the on strong larly particu is which Howrey, DC, Washington and nationwide the US in ranking recommended highly its to addition In Europe. Howrey Ranked within the Super League top ten for the past three years, sustains its strong market recognition in both the US and emerges in sixth place this year, up one place from place one up year, this place sixth in emerges a new entry at number eight, looks set to capital to set looks eight, number at entry new a check in at ninthplaceyear,thisatfromcheck in up one s usadn promne n mid-market in performance outstanding ’s Competition 2011Volume 1 oe u to lcs to places two up moves ------Special feature - - - - - remains in , take fifteenth Special feature Special Arnold & Porter Gibson Dunn Cross-border Cross-border Competition Hand PLC . For the second year running, US firm DC Washington and nationwide US firm’s The position. fourteenth status firm’s the confirming ranking, leading a received practices also practice Union European Its practice. anti-trust top-tier a as enjoys strong recognition from peers and clients alike. Contentious anti-trust specialists, place in the Super League table with high quality tained in the Coast, US, which notably received the a West lead work main DC where the ing firmendorsement, wasand ranked Washington as highly recommended. - - - - ). The rankings in this article are based on the position online as at CROSS-BORDER HANDBOOKS www.practicallaw.com/competitionhandbook 11 CROSS-BORDER HANDBOOKS www.practicallaw.com/competitionhandbook falls PLC METHODOLOGY www.practicallaw.com/whichlawyer WilmerH Which lawyer? research conducted for the PLC White & Case Which lawyer? research: our team of researchers speak to the leading legal practices throughout the as year, PLC see www.practicallaw.com/competitionhandbook commence. Correspondent and alliance firms are not included. commence. Correspondent and alliance firms of the above practice areas in over 50 jurisdictions, with different points allocated to the level of recommendation. Firm recom Firm recommendation. of level the to allocated points different with jurisdictions, 50 over in areas practice above the of European England, in received recommendations lawyer and Firm rankings. individual than weight more given are mendations Union, France, New Germany, Italy, York and Washington, DC are given more weight than other jurisdictions. qualify To for receive recommendations in a minimum of two countries. inclusion in the Super League, a firm must the most recommended lawyers. ranked in accordance with which firm has advice and local advice. The public procurement research is not included in this Super League. advice and local advice. The public procurement as out singled are sector this in reputations strong with lawyers Individual capability. relevant have they which in jurisdictions “endorsed”. porate and commercial areas globally. We monitor and analyse recent deal/case information across these areas to identify the We porate and commercial areas globally. this of basis the On practices. leading the among exercises review peer conducting as well as market, the in active most firms and research the of explanation full a For competition/anti-trust. in expertise their for firms law and lawyers rank we research, covered, please visit practice areas/subcategories the competition research is split into contentious and non-contentious, while in China, the research is split into cross-border well as with clients who have recently instructed lawyers, to identify the best known specialists/practices across the key cor Firm names are abbreviated to those used in the home jurisdiction. Firm names are abbreviated to those used Firms are ranked by total score and then by number of recommended lawyers, so if firms receive identical scores they are Policy on mergers: points are aggregated if a full merger has been implemented before the calculations for the Super League Law firms are ranked in each practice area as “leading”, “highly recommended”, “recommended” or “recognised” in the all in recommendations lawyer and firm law of results the aggregating by calculated are results League Super Competition The Competition practice areas included in the research: competition/anti-trust, EU competition and EU state aid. For England, Basis of the slips just outside of the top ten. The firm retained a leading 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. book 2011 ( 4 February 2011. 1. The Competition Super League is based on the France helps cement its place in this year’s top 15. France helps cement its place in this year’s ed endorsement in the European Union and its visibility in the US, globalthe presence,firm’s including a highly recommended ranking in the Czech Republic and a recommended ranking in Kim left the firm to join Hogan Lovells last year. Ranked eleventh in last Super year’s League, recommend highly its to addition In year. this place thirteenth to dorsements in Washington dorsements DC, in US Washington nationwide and the European suffered recently firm the Europe, in Elsewhere (Brussels). Union Suyong partner London-based where UK, the in loss significant a Dropping from ninth also to eleventh place in 2011, ale ranking in its Boston home base and highly recommended en time, elevate the Brussels office to the leading category while at the same time giving the firmability to handle UK competition mandates. DC offices are ranked leading and highly recommended respec tively. Skaddens is also highly recommended in the Union European (Brussels). The arrival of Simon Baxter in 2010 could, in ical spread of some of its peers, Skaddens is strongly positioned where it matters most. In the US, its New York and Washington Competition 2011 Volume 1 Volume 2011 Competition Special feature 12 *Figures inbracketsrepresent2009SuperLeaguerankings Special feature 15 (12) 14 (14) 13 (11) 11=(9) 11=(13) 10 (8) 9 (10) 8 (-) 7 (4) 6 (7) 5 (6) 4 (3) 3 (5) 2 (2) 1 (1) Rank See box,Methodologyforanexplanantionoftheresearchmethodologyused. PLC * CROSS-BORDER HANDBOOKS www.practicallaw.com/competitionhandbook Gibson Dunn&Crutcher Arnold &Porter White &Case WilmerHale Flom Skadden ArpsSlateMeagher& Howrey Latham &Watkins Hogan Lovells Baker &McKenzie Jones Day Allen &Overy Cleary GottliebSteen&Hamilton Clifford Chance Linklaters Deringer Freshfields Bruckhaus Firm PLC WHICH LAWYER? COMPETITION SUPER LEAGUE 2011 LEAGUE SUPER COMPETITION LAWYER? WHICH

Total score 50 52 64 70 70 75 79 92 95 118 127 143 146 178 247 25 23 21 21 20 27 44 lawyers recommended Number of 9 11 11 12 12 20 14 19 England, EU,France,Germany, Hungary, Italy, Australia, Austria,Belgium,China,CzechRepublic, York, SanFrancisco,Washington DC) Japan, Spain, USA (Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Germany,Italy,France, EU, England, China, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, USA (New York) EU, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Australia, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, England, (Washington DC) USA Italy, Germany, France, EU, England, Belgium, USA (Washington DC) Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, China, Czech Republic, England, EU, France, Germany, Portugal, Russia,Spain,Sweden,USA(NewYork) Belgium, China, England, EU, France, Germany, Poland, USA (Washington DC) Germany, Italy,Japan,NetherlandsRussia,Spain, Austria, Belgium,China,England,EU,France, Recommended in... Washington DC) England, EU,USA(LosAngeles,SanFrancisco, Belgium, EU,USA(Washington DC) USA (NewYork, Washington DC) China, Czech Republic, EU, France, Germany, Hungary, Washington DC) Belgium, England,EU,Germany, USA(Boston, DC) EU, Germany , USA (Los Angeles, New York, Washington San Francisco,Washington DC) England, EU,France,Spain,USA(Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC) England, EU, France, Germany, Italy, USA (Los Angeles Poland, USA(Washington DC) Germany,Italy,France, EU, England, China, Belgium, (Chicago, Washington DC) Netherlands, Poland,Russia,Switzerland,USA Competition 2011Volume 1

enabling the exceptional

In matters of competition law, there are rarely second chances, so clients come to us when they need the best chance of an exceptional outcome first time. Our reputation is founded on a history of landmark cases and market-shaping decisions. But we don’t take our position for granted. The challenges that our clients face push us to think and work ever more creatively. As markets become more competitive, our clients have to find new ways to grow their businesses and to add value for their owners. And we enable them to do that. Our offices and our individual antitrust lawyers collectively receive more top tier rankings in the major legal directories than any other competition law practice. So when you’re looking to achieve the exceptional, we‘ll help you find a way.