Clifford Chance is active in high-profile mandates across the full range of EU and competition law, representing leading French and international clients from the technology, pharmaceutical and energy sectors, to name but a few. The team is highly experienced in merger control before the French, EU and other national regulators (with additional strength in related foreign direct investment clearances) and has also played a key role in prominent recent antitrust investigations by the FCA. David Tayar has a wealth of expertise in competition law, particularly in handling large-scale merger control cases involving multi-jurisdictional filings, and Katrin Schallenberg, who works closely with the Brussels team, is well regarded for her advice on both national and EU matters.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Clifford Chance team in Paris are truly knowledgeable and competent within the competition law field. They have extensive experience with representing companies in investigations by the French competition authority. They are also very good at giving practical and useful legal advice on complicated and difficult questions and they explain their advice in an easy way to understand, including for non-lawyers. I would give the competition law practice at Clifford Chance Paris my highest recommendation!’
‘David Tayar has an outstanding knowledge about French/EU competition law and also the practical aspects of dealing with the French competition authority. He is very good with explaining complicated topics in an easy way and always swift in his responses. He always thinks a few steps ahead and presents you with a strategy or answer before you have asked for it, which is highly appreciated. Gives legal advice in a clear and always practically useful way.'
‘Among the best. A high-quality and cohesive international presence. Experienced and attentive lawyers, such as Katrin Schallenberg.’
‘The strength of this team lies in the quality of the support and the excellence of the legal advice provided.’
‘David Tayar is an excellent practitioner, whose detailed and relevant legal analyses always take into account the business needs of his clients.’
‘The Clifford Chance antitrust team is very dedicated and acts as a transaction facilitator, particularly when transactions become more complex. Close proximity to customers, allowing faster progress, which is a real plus in files.’
‘The team has great strength in depth, with multiple effective partners and strong associates. Capable at both national and regional level, the team has the capacity to take on large-scale cases for both behavioural and transactional work.’
‘I primarily work with David Tayar, who is excellent. He has very strong technical knowledge and great experience in running cases with the European Commission. He has very strong communication skills and builds great relationships with our internal stakeholders.’
Key clients
- Adobe
- Amazon Web Services
- Arcelor Mittal
- Ardian
- Airbus
- Ariane Group
- Arkema
- Axa
- Banque Postale
- BNP Paribas
- Carrefour
- Cintra Sarl
- Crédit Agricole/CACEIS/Amundi
- Crédit Mutuel
- DGEC
- EDF
- Electrolux
- Engie
- Esteve Healthcare S.L.
- Europcar
- Fortness Investment Group
- General Electric
- Hitachi
- Ivanhoé Cambridge
- Ligue de Football Professionnel
- L'Oréal
- Manpower
- Nissan International SA
- Novartis
- Oracle
- Permira
- Rexel
- Safran
- Sandoz
- Shell
- Starbucks
- Sibanye Stillwater Limited
- Tereos
- Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries
- TotalEnergies
- Vauban Infrastructure Partners
- Veolia Environnement
Work highlights
- Advising Airbus, Safran and TAC in relation to the notification before the European Commission and China's SAMR, and FDI Authorities, of their acquisition of Aubert & Duval.
- Advised CACEIS in relation to the notification to the Commission of the setting up of a joint venture with BNP Paribas Securities Services (BP2S) to combine their respective activities in corporate trust services in France.
- Advising Teva on all EU antitrust investigations, including with respect to allegations of abuse of dominance and anticompetitive agreements which are currently pending before the Commission and the EU courts.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
David Tayar, Katrin Schallenberg