EU Regulatory

Competition law lies at the heart of the European Union’s single market. Sound competition law guidance not only avoids the heavy fines and unenforceable contracts arising from a breach of the competition rules, but it can prove to be a forceful weapon in the event that a company’s ability to penetrate a market is being unfairly restricted.

Squire Sanders has been providing advice on EU competition law matters for more than 25 years. Our EU competition law practice, centered in our Brussels office, enjoys an excellent reputation with the officials of the European Commission. The team works closely with lawyers in each of Squire Sanders’ other European offices who focus on national antitrust laws. Our European competition group also works as a team with our Washington DC office to provide seamless counsel on the many large international transactions and agreements entered into by our clients.

Our competition law practice group’s experience and regular representation include:

• Advising companies on the compatibility of agreements or commercial actions (e.g. distribution, licensing, pricing) with EU and national competition laws
• Notifying the European Commission and national competition authorities about merger transactions
• Defending companies accused of breaching the competition rules (e.g. cartels, abuse of dominant positions)
• Prosecuting complaints to protect a client position vis-à-vis third parties or national government
• Preparing corporate compliance programs
• Advising trade organizations

Members of the Brussels office also have considerable expertise in advising clients before the Commission and national authorities in issues of international trade law such as antidumping, customs classification, product origin and World Trade Organization issues.

Squire Sanders, as a market leader in both Central Europe and Brussels, is at the forefront in addressing the hidden challenges that businesses face arising out of the accession of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic as well as the other six countries involved in the 2004 enlargement.