Dechert LLP
Dechert LLP‘s team comprises a ’collection of very talented individuals, with a deep knowledge of competition law‘. The group is well versed in EU, Belgian, German and UK merger control work, abuse of dominance cases, state aid issues, and follow-on litigation. Alec Burnside is singled out by one client as ’an acknowledged leader in the field‘. Other notable names include Brussels-based pactice head Clemens Graf York von Wartenburg and Michael Okkonen, who was recently promoted to partner. US-based Mike Cowie and Steven Bizar oversee the global practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team with whom I worked was a collection of very talented individuals, with a deep knowledge of competition law.'
- 'A great team to work with. Highly skilled at managing the different threads needed in merger clearances - across jurisdictions and regulatory processes - and capable of adapting to tight timelines with great flexibility.'
- 'Alec Burnside is an acknowledged leader in the field.'
- 'Excellent EU competition and regulatory team with deep knowledge and experience.'
- 'Excellent capability.'
- 'What distinguishes them from competitors is their unwavering commitment to going above and beyond for their clients, consistently delivering insightful solutions and personalised advice.'
- 'Michael Okkonen is in particular a pleasure to work with, knowledgeable, modest, calm and capable and a very effective communicator.'
- 'Alec Burnside knows the law and the key authorities in Europe inside and out.'
Key clients
- GIC (Singaporean Sovereign Wealth Fund)
- Agilent
- Illumina
- Cerus Endovascular Limited
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.
- Crown Holdings, Inc.
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Fair Trade Advocacy Office
- Huhtamaki Oyi
- Marconi
- MiddleGround Capital
- MidEuropa Partners
- Graham Partners
- Group Rossel
- Aetna, Inc.
- Shareholders of L’Osteria
- Yelp, Inc.
- Griffon Corporation
- One Equity Partners (“OEP”)
- Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (“KKR”)
Work highlights
- Represented Eli Lilly before the European Commission and its Swiss counterpart regarding Novartis’ acquisition of blocking patents.
- Represented Crown Holdings during the course of dawn raids.
- Advised Cerus on its sale to Stryker Corporation.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mike Cowie, Steven Bizar, Clemens Graf York von Wartenburg