27 May 2013

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Oliver Bretz

Oliver Bretz

Title
Head of the Global Antitrust Practice
Office
Clifford Chance, Paris | View map
Clifford Chance, Brussels | View map
Practice
Antitrust, competition, EU & trade, M&A Corporate
Sector
Banks, Energy & infrastructure, Insurance, Oil & gas, Private equity, Technology, media & telecoms, Transport & logistics
Publications
139

Email
Email this person
Tel
+33144055216
+3225335965

Experience and career history

Oliver Bretz specialises in EU and UK competition, regulatory and trade law, in particular mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, cartels, distribution and licensing arrangements

Oliver has been involved in a multitude of high-profile, high-value deals throughout his professional career.  He has a wealth of experience advising on State aid, public procurement, internal market and trade issues, as well as across a diverse variety of sectors notably banking and finance, energy, media, telecommunications, transport and oil and gas.  His position in Brussels close to the European Institutions, as well as his connections with Paris and London mean that Oliver is able to provide top level strategic advice to multinational clients across a number of key jurisdictions.

Supervisor of European Law, St John's college, Cambridge University 1994
Simmons and Simmons 1994
Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 1996
Linklaters 1997
Joined Clifford Chance 1999
Clifford Chance New York 2000
Clifford Chance London 2001
Admitted as an Attorney in New York 2002
Partner since 2002
Clifford Chance Paris/Brussels 2011
Member of the Brussels and Paris Bars

Speaks fluent English, German, French, Spanish and conversational Dutch and Italian.

Professional bodies

  • Former Special Adviser to House of Lords EU Select Committee
  • Former Ministerial adviser on EU Business Advisory Group
  • Member of EU Committee of the Law Society

Highlights of deals and projects

Oliver's recent experience includes advising:

  • the Luxembourg Government on State aid issues in relation to Dexia Bank
  • the Luxembourg Government on interactions with the European Commission
  • the World Bank (IFC) on restructuring issues in Slovenia
  • an Aluminium producer on State aid issues arising from power contracts
  • Barclays on the LIBOR investigation
  • Shell on the restructuring of its European Refineries
  • Barclays on the EU interchange investigations
  • Barclays on the EU CDS Clearing Investigation
  • EADS on the defence-related aspects of the KfW investment

Citations and awards

  • The Lawyer Hot 100, Global Competition Review 40 under 40
  • Winner of International  Law Office Client  Choice Award 2010
  • Chambers & Partners Competition Rating: Tier 1
  • Oliver Bretz joins the rankings this year on the back of significant praise from the market. He is known as being a "first-class competition lawyer with excellent client skills." He splits his time between Paris, Brussels and London."
    Chambers Europe, Section Competition / European Law, 2013

Publications

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Client Work