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Freshfields appoints Alastair Chapman as Antitrust, Competition and Trade Practice Group Leader
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has appointed partner Alastair Chapman as its Antitrust, Competition and Trade Practice Group Leader. Chapman will succeed Thomas Janssens, who will be undertaking a new strategic role, working with the global leadership team on the firm’s growth agenda. Both will also continue their busy client practices as they undertake their new leadership roles.
Before his appointment, Chapman was serving as London managing partner of Freshfields’ Antitrust, Competition and Trade team. He has previously worked in Washington D.C. and focuses his time working across the EU and the UK. Chapman advises on all aspects of EU and UK competition law, and related commercial strategy. Experienced in representing clients before EU and national regulators and courts, he regularly advises on complex cross-border transactions and investigations.
Highlight client work includes representing London Stock Exchange Group on its $27bn acquisition of Refinitiv; advising viagogo on achieving a successful outcome with the CMA in relation to its acquisition of StubHub; and representing Tesco on the unconditional clearance of its merger with Booker; the blocked merger of Sainsbury and Asda; and the successful $10bn disposal of its Thai and Malaysian businesses.
Senior Partner Georgia Dawson commented: “I am delighted to announce Alastair’s appointment. I look forward to working with him as he drives forward the success of our global Antitrust, Competition and Trade group, which is second to none when it comes to advising clients on navigating the complex and evolving competition law environment. I also wish to share my gratitude to Thomas Janssens who has been instrumental in the strategic growth of the practice and look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Alastair Chapman said: “I am hugely excited to lead our global Antitrust, Competition and Trade group alongside my existing practice. We are uniquely well placed to advise our global clients on complex antitrust, merger control, foreign investment, and trade matters. I would also like to thank Thomas for his strategic leadership and dedication to our diverse group of highly talented colleagues.”
Thomas Janssens added: “Alastair is a fantastic successor for this global role and will ensure the continued growth of our practice. My thanks to the firm for its unwavering support and dedication shown by colleagues throughout my term. I am excited to be continuing in a new strategic role, working closely with the firm’s global leadership team to support our growth agenda.”
Freshfields advises across all sectors on issues including antitrust investigations and competition litigation, foreign investment, merger control, state aid and trade. Notable client advisory work for the Antitrust, Competition and Trade practice can be found here.
