Wealth & Finance International - Business Awards 2015

Business Awards 2015 20 Antitrust Litigator of the Year - UK Hausfeld LLP work across the field of litigation, from anticompetitive conduct to large scale disputes and develop global litigation strategies. Edward Nyman discusses the firm’s philosophy and what the future holds for the firm. Company: Hausfeld LLP Web Address: www.hausfeld.com Address: 12 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DW Telephone: 020 7665 5000 In the past year, not only has Hausfeld won the Global Competition Review’s “Litigation of the Year” Awards, it has also been ranked as the top law firm in competition litigation by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. Increasingly recognised as the top in its field, Hausfeld has gone from strength to strength as the number one choice for claimants. Hausfeld lawyers have, throughout their careers, consistently applied forward-thinking ideas and creative solutions to the most vexing global legal challenges faced by clients. As a result, the firm’s litigators have developed numerous innovative legal theories that have expanded the quality and avail- ability of legal recourse for claimants around the globe that have a right to seek recovery. We understand the cost of litigation and the constraints on in-house legal budgets. Accordingly, we have developed unique and flexible engage- ment structures in which we share the risks of litigation with our clients. Andrew Bullion is a founding partner of Hausfeld and brings two decades’ experience of successfully litigating complex competition, securities derivative, and other matters on behalf of corporate claimants and defendants. Andrew has represented some of the world’s most recognisable undertakings in proceedings in various jurisdictions. Hausfeld ranks among the world’s top claimants’ firms. Renowned for our skilful prosecution of complex litigation, we represent businesses, organisations and in- dividuals – in both Europe and the US – in the areas of antitrust and competition law, financial services, consumer protection, human rights and mass torts. We have achieved this using experience, which has helped us create a reputation in themarket which hasmeant that we are often able to resolve these claims through negotiations, thereby avoiding the need for time-consuming and costly litigation. Our commitment to positive client outcomes is manifest in the large sums we regularly invest in client matters prior to any payment. As pioneers of alterna- tives to the standard billable-hour relationship, we have developed unique and flexible engagement structures that enable our clients to pursue recovery of damages without costs risk or any up-front investment or financial resources. Antitrust knows no borders; neither do we. We take on and succeed in claims that are at the cutting edge, raising complex and novel issues in respect of jurisdiction, applicable law, quantification of damages and contribution liability. At Hausfeld we are innovative in the way we pursue claims, the legal issues we run and how we go about resolving claims without the need for litigation or protracted litigation. Despite limitations of the current legislative and procedural framework, Hausfeld’s pioneering litigation strategy has not only enabled companies to join together to pursue claims arising from competition law infringements, but most importantly, recover substantial amounts in damages. Moreover, we constantly take part in the debates – in the US, UK and Brussels – in relation to reforms seeking redress and access to justice for claimants. As the economy continues to improve, large companies are more aware than ever that, if they are found guilty of cartel on abuse of dominance activity, the issue of compensation will be on the table. Antitrust infringes understand the need to find a solution – hoping the problem will go away is even less a wise defence strategy than it was two years ago. Many businesses have extended their data retention policy to gear up for bringing or defending damages claims. Many consider it to be part of a company’s corporate responsibility towards its shareholders to pursue these claims. For example, German corporate law obliges the management to seek compensation for the company where they know it is due and can reasonably be obtained. Thus it is now the exception that a theoretical private enforcement action does not become one in fact. Presently, most European competition damages claims are brought in England. DBAs, CFAs, ATE insurance and specialist litigation funders have all played a key role in the development of London as a competition litigation hub. These are the types of businesses and funding arrangements that create opportunities for law firms like Hausfeld to take on many types of viable competition law and financial services claims. The main challenge is obviously growing competition from other conflict-free clamant law firms, in particular US firms, which now have the appetite to test the European legal market. Of course our firm has diversified, and will continue to diversify, regionally as necessary for the service of our clients present and future. Looking to the future, for myself and Hausfeld, our plans are simple: to con- tinue to improve, to expand, and diversify, to increase our client offerings, but also retain a leading position which was hard-earned. In the past year, not only has Hausfeld won the Global Competition Review’s “Litigation of the Year” Awards, it has also been ranked as the top law firm in competition litigation by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. Increasingly recognised as the top in its field, Hausfeld has gone from strength to strength as the number one choice for claimants. Hausfeld LLP