Steptoe LLP

Darren Abrahams

Partner - Darren enables clients throughout the chemicals and life sciences supply chain to get and keep their products on the European market (in the UK and the EU). He focuses on defence of products through strategic advice, advocacy before institutions and agencies, and litigation before EU and national courts and tribunals. He has a wealth of experience with the regulation of biocidal products, plant protection products (agrochemicals), REACH, classification, labelling and packaging, GM food and feed, cosmetics, and endocrine disruptors.Darren also has particular experience defending clients resisting requests for access to confidential business information. For instance, he successfully defended the European Chemicals Agency in a high-profile case concerning its refusal to grant public access to information disclosing the identity and specific commercial activities of companies engaged with a number of allegedly hazardous substances. He also successfully led industry interveners in the Glyphosate appeal before the Court of Justice of the EU on the same issues.

Managing Partner of Steptoe's Brussels office. Ruxandra defends industry interests through legal and regulatory challenges to EU market access, before both EU and national institutions and courts. Her practice is focused on EU regulatory law and litigation with a strong emphasis on chemicals and product regulations, such as REACH. She has notable experience and success with related matters concerning emerging issues such as nanotechnology. Ruxandra is a litigator well-known for her groundbreaking cases before the Court of Justice of the EU, as well as for her successful representation of clients in numerous appeals before the European Chemicals Agency's Board of Appeal (BoA). Many of the cases that Ruxandra handles have never before been argued: she develops new remedies and solutions to earn favorable outcomes for clients. For instance, she acted as counsel in the first successful direct action related to EU chemicals legislation before the EU General Court. She was also counsel in the only successful nano-related substance and dossier evaluation cases under REACH brought before the BoA, defending industry-wide interests. Ruxandra’s success for clients stems from her dedication to learn their business and be a trusted and pragmatic advisor. She has formed and continues to act as a trusted advisor to more than 30 industry groups. She further brings significant experience in EU rules on biocides and pesticides, cosmetics, medical devices, consumer products, food, and food contact materials.

Anne-Gabrielle Haie

Partner - Anne-Gabrielle Haie advises clients on a wide range of digital-related matters, with a strong focus on data protection, privacy and cybersecurity. In addition, she has developed considerable expertise on AI and blockchain. She advises clients on compliance with EU laws and risk management. Anne-Gabrielle also has strong experience advising clients on data privacy and cybersecurity issues related to strategic transactions and commercial negotiations. She further assists clients with cybersecurity preparedness and response to data breaches and other security incidents. Anne-Gabrielle's practice include representing clients in enforcement and litigation actions before European supervisory authorities and courts. Her clients include multinationals, start-ups and scaleups in diverse industries, and she has a strong track record in the Life Sciences and Technology sectors.

Eléonore Mullier

Partner - Eléonore Mullier specializes in EU regulatory law and litigation. She advises clients who, whether based in the EU or not, come into contact with EU regulations affecting the placing on the EU market of their products. Eléonore's knowledge extends to the entire life-cycle of materials, from chemicals legislation (biocides, REACH, classification and labelling, POPs, PPPs, etc.) to product and waste legislation (CE marking, RoHS/WEEE, Ecodesign, medical devices, single use plastics, waste and end-of-waste). She also advises clients on the interface between these regulations and on cross-sectoral issues including the European Green Deal initiatives.Eléonore also has extensive experience representing clients before the European Court of Justice and the ECHA Board of Appeal and before both national and EU regulatory authorities (the European Chemicals Agency, the European Commission, and national competent authorities).

Partner - Guy Soussan has more than 20 years of experience advising clients on EU and international reinsurance regulatory issues. He advises insurers and reinsurers, captives, and intermediaries on EU regulatory, legal, tax, antitrust, international trade, and compliance issues. In this role, he has assisted leading European and non-European groups in setting up and conducting business in Europe in order for them to benefit from the EU’s Single Market rules in insurance. Guy also focuses on prudential supervision of EU and international reinsurance undertakings under Solvency II, where he frequently provides advice on governance, the setting-up of new structures, group supervision, and the treatment of third-country groups. Additionally, Guy advises EU and French export control regulations, including controls and licensing regimes for military, commercial products, and technologies. He also provides advice and assistance with EU economic sanctions targeting specific countries such as Iran, Libya, Syria, and most recently, Ukraine, and Russia. His experience covers a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, banking and insurance, petroleum and petro-chemicals, aerospace, and defense.

Charles Whiddington

Partner - Charles Whiddington represents companies in cartel and other antitrust investigations. He also provides strategic advice on licensing, assists clients to shape their distribution networks, and provides advice and representation on the competition aspects of mergers and joint-ventures. Over the years, Charles has represented a number of clients involved in national and international cartel investigations in a range of sectors including banking, airlines, liner shipping, energy, automotive, and travel agency fees. He has also advised electricity and gas companies in the European Commission's sector inquiries, antitrust investigations concerning third party access, as well as the application of electricity and gas network codes. Charles regularly acts in the energy, transport, and life sciences sectors and has successfully represented other clients on a wide array of antitrust and competition matters.