Michael Reynolds
Of Counsel
Brussels
Michael Reynolds
Of Counsel
Brussels
Contact Details
Michael has more than 30 years experience in European Antitrust law with Allen & Overy. He has represented a large number of corporations from the US, Japan and Brazil and other international clients before the European Commission in merger control, cartel and unilateral conduct cases. He acted for Sun Microsystems in their complaint against Microsoft leading to one of the most complex antitrust cases ever brought by the Commission. He has been involved in over 20 of the major cartel cases brought by the Commission including one of the first cases on cartel settlements.
He was President of the International Bar Association from 2013 until 2015 and past Chair of the IBA Antitrust Committee.
Michael has been identified by Global Competition Review’s independent research with clients and peers as being among the world’s leading competition lawyers.
Office
Brussels
Allen & Overy (Belgium) LLP
Tervurenlaan 268A avenue de Tervueren
Brussels
1150
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as advocaat, Belgium, 1977
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1976
Academic
Experience highlights
Advising Sun Microsystems on its successful complaint under Article 102 TFEU against Microsoft (which resulted in the landmark 2004 European Commission decision) in relation to the European Commission’s investigation into the ETSI IPR Guideline.
Advising Sun Microsystems on the EU merger control aspects of its USD7bn merger with Oracle. This was a high-profile and controversial EU merger investigation which ended in an unconditional clearance decision in the face of significant vocal opposition.
Advising Chemtura on multiple cartel investigations, resulting in Chemtura paying only EUR13m (after a 50% discount) in one case (Rubber Chemicals) and securing immunity (or being dropped completely from the proceedings) in four others.
Advising Sanofi Aventis on its acquisition of Zentiva, which involved Phase I investigation with remedies, multiple filings outside the EU and high market shares in certain pharmaceutical products. Sanofi-Aventis offered product divestments in 15 national pharmaceutical markets to address the EU Commission’s concerns.
Office
Brussels
Allen & Overy (Belgium) LLP
Tervurenlaan 268A avenue de Tervueren
Brussels
1150
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as advocaat, Belgium, 1977
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 1976
Academic
Recognition
still up there with the gods" of competition and is praised as "a great ambassador for the firm
WWL Competition, 2018
international reference in the antitrust community
WWL Competition, 2017
Published work
- The EC Chapter in International Merger Control: The Anti-Trust Process and many articles on various aspects of EC Competition Law.
News & insights
Publications: 25 FEBRUARY 2021
A new perspective on the FCA's focus on market abuse
Sarah Hitchins considers the FCA's commentary on market abuse risks in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as recent enforcement activity in this area.
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Publications: 13 JANUARY 2020
The European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen took office on 1 December 2019, following changes required as a result of the European Parliament rejecting three of the candidate Commissioners…
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Publications: 16 SEPTEMBER 2019
A guide to the new European Commission
On 10 September, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen announced the new European Commission.
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Publications: 11 SEPTEMBER 2019
Margrethe Vestager: five more years as Competition Commissioner, with a focus on “Digital Age”
Normally the European Commission’s Competition portfolio alternates between a Commissioner from a large Member State and a small Member State. Thus it had been widely assumed that the Competition…
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