Skadden has hired an antitrust partner from Freshfields in Brussels, as US firms continue to bolster their European antitrust practices.
Merit Olthoff, who has been at Freshfields since 2012 and made partner in 2022, is set to join Skadden, in a move that will reunite her with former Freshfields co-global managing partner and antitrust specialist Rafique Bachour, who made the move to Skadden in January.
Olthoff’s practice focuses on complex merger control and digital regulation, with a particular focus on the media and technology sectors. Her recent experience includes advising Apple on the European Commission’s investigation under the Digital Markets Act, and on the subsequent challenge in EU Courts in Luxembourg.
In addition, Olthoff has experience advising large institutional investors on merger control and foreign direct investment aspects of investments and M&A transactions, with experience advising clients including Warburg Pincus and La Caisse.
‘Skadden’s global reach and standing in the market create a strong platform to help clients navigate competition, digital regulation and antitrust issues across Europe and globally,’ said Olthoff.
‘I look forward to working with the firm’s lawyers across EMEA and worldwide as we support clients through an increasingly demanding regulatory environment.’
The hire comes as a number of top US firms move to bolster their European antitrust platforms in order to take a larger slice of lucrative antitrust work.
In addition to Skadden’s hire of Bachour in January, Latham & Watkins hired Sascha Schubert, also from Freshfields, into its Brussels office in July, while Kirkland & Ellis hired a four-partner team from Cleary in May, based across London and Brussels.
The activity comes against a shifting regulatory backdrop, as Brussels moves to pass reforms intended to make it easier for European companies to complete large M&A deals.
‘The next phase of EU digital and foreign subsidies regulation is reshaping how companies anticipate, innovate, invest and compete in Europe,’ said Ingrid Vandenborre, head of Skadden’s European antitrust and competition practice.
‘Sophisticated clients are looking for advisers who can help them plan for what comes next across these regimes, merger control and state aid, be it before the Commission, national competition authorities, or the EU Courts.
‘Merit’s broad EU and German antitrust experience makes her a valuable addition to our team.’
For its part, Freshfields has seen a number of exits across its European offices in recent months, with Frankfurt private equity M&A partner Olga Stürmer moving to Weil, Hamburg M&A partner Natascha Doll moving to White & Case, and structured finance partner Mandeep Lotay moving to Paul Weiss, all last month.
Olthoff’s exit leaves the firm with ten antitrust partners remaining in Brussels, according to its website, and a further ten across its German offices.
A Freshfields spokesperson said: ‘We wish Merit all the best.’
