Spanning merger control filings, state aid and anticompetitive agreements, as well as high-profile international and national cartel investigations, Bird & Bird’s antitrust practice team regularly appears before both the EU Courts and national courts. Practice head Federico Marini-Balestra is recognised for his expertise in antitrust and regulatory proceedings, as well as administrative and commercial litigation. Nicola Cearolo has recently joined the team from Nunziante Magrone, bringing in new expertise especially in energy law and regulation, information technology, and utilities.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'They understand what your needs are and provide useful and practical solutions.'
  • 'I want to thank Federico Balestra for his timely feedback that helped my work proceed quickly and well. They are very close to their customers, and this is much appreciated.'

Key clients

  • BMW Group Italy
  • BusItalia
  • Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Consorzio Ecopolietilene
  • Leroy Merlin Italy
  • Mondo Convenzienza
  • Solgar-hino
  • Telecom Italia
  • Telt
  • Trenitalia
  • ZED Entertainment’s World

Work highlights

  • Assisted Consorzio Ecopolietilene in the investigation under Article 102 TFEU initiated by AGCM against Polieco for abuse of dominant position.
  • Assisted Trenitalia in the investigation under Article 102 TFEU initiated by the AGCM on July 19, 2022: according to the AGCM, since 2021 Trenitalia has been engaging in a constructive refusal to supply aimed at excluding its only competitor, Italo-Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori, in the high-speed train sector.
  • Assisted Telecom Italia in proceedings under Article 102 TFEU No. A514 initiated in June 2017 by the AGCM regarding an alleged exclusionary strategy committed by Telecom in the market for ultra-wideband access services.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Federico Marini Balestra

Other key lawyers

Nicola Cearolo, Simone Cadeddu