Europe - France
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EU, competition and distribution

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Ashurst LLP

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Ashurst LLP is frequently retained to handle high-stakes matters for leading French-based multinationals, especially in regulated sectors such as energy, transport and media. The team is commended for its deep expertise in state aid, frequently advising on major investigations conducted by the EC, and in complex abuse of dominance cases before the French and EU authorities. Its broad practice also takes in merger control (as well as seeing an uptick in FSR filings), cartel investigations, follow-on damages claims, and regulatory issues. Christophe Lemaire, who is well regarded for his experience in state aid matters in particular, heads the practice. Guillaume Vatin is also a name to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • "The team is highly expert in its areas of intervention, providing sound advice with fees adapted to the stakes involved."
  • "Christophe Lemaire is excellent over the long term."
  • "A very competent team that deals with highly technical and complex issues. Great proactivity and valuable advice. Always attentive to the needs of its clients."
  • "Christophe Lemaire is a brilliant competition lawyer. He has strong expertise in competition law as well as economics. He works extensively in sectors such as energy and transport. Christophe is very available and pragmatic."
  • "The Paris competition team I work with has the advantage of being very well informed about the different businesses within ENGIE, including more technical, commercial, and financial aspects. The team can thus establish the necessary connections between the various ongoing cases within the group. The work is always of great quality, with a focus on proposing solutions that allow the business to progress."
  • "The team led by Christophe Lemaire is trustworthy, responsive, and agile. They are diligent, attentive to concrete concerns, and able to deliver high-quality work in a short time. They are among the best teams in the field."
  • "Christophe Lemaire: highly detailed knowledge of the European Commission's practice, as well as French administrations regarding state aid. Hélène Fricaudet: very good knowledge of European state aid law, pragmatic and has a great client rapport."
  • "Christophe Lemaire and his team in the Paris office are indispensable on competition and regulation topics. They provide complete satisfaction with the responsiveness of their work, their innovative search for solutions, and their high-level understanding of complex issues. His dual expertise in competition and regulation makes him a valuable partner."

Key clients

  • SNCF Group and various subsidiaries (SNCF SA, SNCF Voyageurs, SNCF Connect, Eurostar)
  • ENGIE and various subsidiaries
  • Storengy
  • TotalEnergies
  • Schindler
  • Bpifrance
  • Microport/Sorin
  • Imperial Tobacco (and its subsidiary SEITA)
  • Bosch
  • Babcock
  • Autodesk
  • Carbone Savoie
  • Mitsui
  • Conseil national du notariat européen
  • AREVA
  • Orano
  • Caisse des dépôts et consignations
  • CMA CGM
  • Caravelle
  • La Méridonnale
  • Certares
  • Longi Solar Technologie

Work highlights

  • Advising SNCF and various subsidiaries following dawn raids conducted by the French Competition Authority as part of a probe into an alleged violation of the antitrust rules in the markets for passenger rail transport, travel agency services and digital ticketing systems.
  • Advising ENGIE in relation to the state aid notification of two renewable projects (two offshore windfarms), including representing the beneficiairies before the European Court of Justice in the appeal against the approval decision of the European Commission.
  • Assisted LONGi in the context of the notification under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) of its participation in the context of the public procurement procedure launched by a Romanian contracting authority (Societatea PARC FOTOVOLTAIC ROVINARI EST S.A.) for the design, construction and operation of a photovoltaic park in Romania.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Christophe Lemaire

Other key lawyers

Guillaume Vatin, Hélène Fricaudet