Clifford Chance LLP has won the GCR Matter of the Year Award 2011 for its work on Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems. In this high profile and contentious case, Thomas Vinje, chair of the Clifford Chance Global Antitrust Group, and his team advised Oracle on Sun’s acquisition, securing unconditional approval following an in-depth investigation from the European Commission.
The awards ceremony was held in Miami on 4 February. The winners were decided by an online vote held over three months. Members of the competition law community cast votes for 2010’s top mergers, litigations, agency work and outstanding individuals. GCR editor, Emily Gray said “More than 1,500 antitrust counsel, economists and academics took the time to vote in the GCR Awards, meaning the winners are truly the best of the best.”
"The Clifford Chance team members worked their hearts out to achieve this result. It was a great honour to lead them to success, and all the members of the team valued the support, solidarity and appreciation we received from Oracle," said Thomas Vinje. Team members included counsel Dieter Paemen, and associates Dimos Dakanalis, Ashwin van Rooijen, Heleen Engelen, Benjamin Chamon and Andriani Ferti.