Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s ’committed, efficient, top-quality’ competition, regulation, and trade team handles the gamut of competition law matters, with sector expertise across TMT, energy, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods. Kyriakos Fountoukakos, team head, advises on multi-jurisdictional transactions and investigations, with particular experience advising Japanese clients. State aid matters are regularly handled by specialist Lode Van Den Hende, and Peter Rowland is noted for his work in relation to merger control. Daniel Vowden departed the team in November 2023 to Mayer Brown International LLP, London.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Committed, efficient, top-quality team.’

  • ‘Lode Van Den Hende is an outstanding partner at HSF with excellent expertise, highest commitment and efficiency. He has an excellent team.'

  • ‘Great team work, flexible billing arrangements, excellent expertise, very visible and respected.’

  • ‘Highly skilled in their area of expertise, innovative and can-do approach to issues, very professional and collaborative, excellent all round in all fields of EU Competition law.’

  • ‘In our project, Hebert Smith successfully leveraged their extensive network and knowledge of local content regulations and filing requirements. This expertise allowed us to navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes with ease, ensuring compliance in every jurisdiction.'

  • 'Their advice was always tailored to the client's position, taking into account both industry knowledge and a deep understanding of our culture. This level of insight and client-focused approach set them apart.’
  • ‘They consistently put themselves in the client's position and responded promptly to all matters.'

  • ‘Kyriakos Fountoukakos is an excellent expert in competition law, providing deep insights and excellent at managing complex projects.'

Key clients

  • Uber
  • Comcast
  • Sky UK
  • Sky Deutschland
  • Google
  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • United Group
  • Sumitomo Corporation
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • Synthomer
  • British American Tobacco
  • Eni
  • Altra Industrial Motion
  • VTTI

Work highlights

  • Assisting an OEM car manufacturer in relation to parallel investigations by the European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority in relation to automotive end-of-life vehicles.
  • Advising VTTI on a major transaction in the energy sector concerning the acquisition of Adriatic LNG, Italy's largest LNG terminal.
  • Representing British American Tobacco in proceedings before the EU and Irish Courts challenging an EU regulatory measure in relation to heated tobacco products and in related litigation before the EU Courts regarding document production by the European Commission.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Peter Rowland
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Kyriakos Fountoukakos
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Lode Van Den Hende
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Kyriakos Fountoukakos

Other key lawyers

Lode Van Den Hende, Eric White, Peter Rowland, Camille Puech-Baron, Morris Schonberg