England - London • Corporate and commercial
Bird & Bird LLP
The team at Bird & Bird LLP is praised for providing ‘swift and practical advice’ with a ’personal touch’ across a wide array of sectors, including IP, sport, financial services, technology, energy and retail. The practice is regularly instructed by some of the world’s largest corporates on broad range of competition law matters encompassing merger clearances and the national security aspects of acquisitions. Practice head Peter Willis has 30 years’ experience of advising businesses on competition and regulation, in both London and Brussels, spanning multiple sectors. ‘Stand-out’ Ariane Le Strat is noted for her expertise in vertical supply chain arrangements. Legal director Saskia King is a key figure within the practice who is highly regarded for her proficiency in handling a range of antitrust enforcement matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The practice specialises in swift and practical advice, meeting corporate timelines and expectations of the most demanding clients.’
‘Ariane Le Strat was a stand-out, really communicative and easy to work with while technically excellent and always correct.’
‘Breadth of knowledge and competence. Responsiveness to need.’
'I value the personal touch and the ability to develop an understanding of our organisation and its needs. Saskia King has embodied these traits.’
‘The competition law team is very hands on i.e. comes up with practical advice as opposed to theoretical knowledge. Responsiveness is extremely good. Deep and profound experience with regulating authorities.’
‘A strong team that is known for its expertise in the TMT sector in particular. Responsive to client emails and provide tailored advice that is simple to implement.’
‘A strong team throughout, from partners to associates. I would highlight Saskia King for her proactive nature and her commercial approach.’
Work highlights
- Advising an international sports federation on numerous competition law matters concerning e.g. sporting rules, data and broadcasting.
- Advised the target on the international merger control implications of their acquisition by an international sports streaming service.
- Supporting a sports federation on the crucial tendering process of their broadcasting rights as well as advising them on numerous, substantive competition compliance issues.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Peter Willis