EU, competition and public procurement

Plesner

The EU and competition team at Plesner is well-versed in all aspects of competition law, including cases involving abuse of power, damages claims, EU cartel investigations, and follow-on damages actions. The team also brings expertise in competition law economics and public procurement law, with particular focus on tenders for large-scale infrastructure projects. The leader Gitte Holtsø has expertise in high-profile merger cases, as well as other horizontal cooperation agreements, vertical agreements, and competition law compliance. Christian Karhula Lauridsen and Daniel Barry are seasoned litigators, representing clients before the Danish competition authorities, the European Commission and European Court of Justice, in Danish and EU cartel cases, abuse of dominance, and follow-on damages proceedings. Rie Paving Mortensen is skilled in both cartel and non-cartel related actions for damages, and Peter E. Stassen advises clients on M&A-related competition law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Deep knowledge of legislation, thorough guidance, and quality advice.’
‘Clients who want competition counsel who remain calm under pressure, week after week, month after month, on a deal would quickly warm to the Plesner team. They fought their client's corner. There were times when they were firm - even stubborn. But they also knew when to negotiate and how to compromise, so that the case kept driving forward.’
‘Peter E. Stassen was Plesner's team leader on our case, interacting not only with his own corporate team, but with counsel representing four other players. He had other matters running in parallel but he was always on top of his brief. Deserves a hat-tip.'
‘High level of legal competence. They are always there for you during an intense process. Fast responses to any kind of questions.’
‘Plesner has a very fluent way of progress, from the first meeting to the conclusion. This is of course due to strong leadership, but supported by a group of very competent assistants.’
‘It is very obvious that Peter E. Stassen is respected by his co-workers, who all understood the case and independently could support the case.'
'Plesner's team is highly skilled within the competition law field. They have a great knowledge within the financial sector as well and understand the market dynamics well. They are always responsive and provide to-the-point legal advice.'
'Gitte Holtsø is very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. She provides clear answers and has a great feel for complex issues.'

Key clients

Novonesis A/S
Ørsted
Equinor
Kingspan Group plc
Deutsche Börse
The Danish Ministry of Finance

Work highlights

Advised Novozymes regarding its merger with Chr. Hansen to form Novonesis.
Advising Ørsted against a DKK4.4bn damages claim relating to alleged excessive pricing on the electricity spot market in Western Denmark.
Advising Diesel Motor Nordic before the High Court of Eastern Denmark in an appeal against a 2013 decision by the Danish Competition Council finding, inter alia, that Diesel Motor Nordic and Deutz had entered into an anti-competitive agreement to prevent passive sales of the relevant products to distributors outside of Deutz' exclusive dealership network.