Leading EU Litigator Dr. Georg M. Berrisch Joins Baker Botts in Brussels

BRUSSELS, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Georg M. Berrisch, who is recognized as one of the most experienced and effective litigators specializing in competition law, state aid and trade matters in the European Union (EU), has joined Baker Botts L.L.P. as a partner in the firm's Brussels office.

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Dr. Berrisch is known for defending the interests and rights of clients and for developing effective legal and political strategies in complex contentious proceedings before the European Commission and other EU institutions and, in particular, the Court of Justice and the General Court of the EU.

Dr. Berrisch joins Brussels Partners Catriona Hatton and Paul Lugard, who opened the firm's Brussels office last September, and a global antitrust team of more than 50 lawyers.

"In less than a year, Catriona and Paul have established a highly regarded antitrust practice in Brussels, with a reputation for high quality work and great client service," said Baker Botts Managing Partner Andrew Baker. "With over 20 years experience in competition and trade law under his belt, including a number of landmark cases, Georg immediately enhances that reputation and expands our EU law capabilities. We are pleased and excited that he decided to join our firm."

Dr. Berrisch's practice spans EU and German antitrust matters including mergers, cartels and abuse of dominance as well as state aid. He currently represents Ryanair in its appeal against the EU Commission merger control decision earlier this year prohibiting Ryanair from acquiring control of Aer Lingus. He advises the airline in relation to several state aid investigations.

Dr. Berrisch has represented public and private sector clients in nearly 200 cases during the past several years before the Court of Justice and the General Court of the EU on a range of matters including: antitrust; trade; life sciences regulation; consumer protection and passenger rights; access to documents under the EU Transparency regulation; and EU constitutional law.

On trade matters, Dr. Berrisch advises clients in anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, customs, trade sanctions and export control matters, including the development and implementation of compliance programs.

"Our goal since opening the Brussels office has been to provide our clients the type of quality legal representation on complex antitrust and trade matters expected of a global firm such as Baker Botts," said Ms. Hatton, Partner in Charge of the Brussels Office. "Georg, as a skilled EU litigator with a great track record in competition and trade matters, adds significant strength to the Brussels office, not only for the EU market but also for clients across the Baker Botts global network."

Prior to joining Baker Botts, Dr. Berrisch was a partner at Covington & Burling LLP. He is a member of the following organizations: the Permanent Delegation of the CCBE to the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance of the European Communities (the CCBE is the official representation of the bars and law societies in the EU Member States); of the Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht (German Antitrust Lawyers Association); and of the Advisory Board to the editors of the EuZW, the leading German legal publication on EU economic law.

Dr. Berrisch has earned leading competition and antitrust law practitioner recognition from Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, Legal 500 and PLC Which Lawyer?

"I am excited about joining this highly successful and fully integrated team of competition lawyers at Baker Botts here in Brussels and Washington, D.C.," Dr. Berrisch said. "It provides me the opportunity to be involved in the most complex and challenging international anti-trust cases. The global reach of Baker Botts will also allow me to further expand my trade practice."

About Baker Botts in Brussels
The Baker Botts (Belgium) L.L.P. office in Brussels opened in September 2012 to extend the reach of the firm's Antitrust & Competition Law practice group. In addition to working on European matters, firm lawyers in Brussels work closely with firm lawyers in Washington, D.C., Houston, Beijing and elsewhere to provide counsel to clients on a wide array of matters. More information on the Brussels office is available here.

More information about the Antitrust & Competition Law Practice at Baker Botts is available here.

About Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts is an international law firm of approximately 700 lawyers practicing throughout a network of 15 offices around the globe. Based on our experience and knowledge of our clients' industries, we are recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. Throughout our 173-year history, we have provided creative and effective legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit www.bakerbotts.com.

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SOURCE Baker Botts