IFLR 1000
The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms

Baker & McKenzie has had a very strong year, most notably in the cartel field where it had a string of high profile successes.

Clients have been pleased. "They were very innovative; there were a number of potential definitions of the market and Baker did a good job in defining them," says one, while another says: "Excellent, they were very good when dealing with problems and solutions and able to see things through."

Another client was impressed by the firm's network: "They did a pretty good job with communication across the offices as we worked with Munich, Düsseldorf, Tokyo, Madrid and Barcelona." One client was especially happy with Anne McGregor, for "spending a lot time with us learning the business".

The firm, led by MacGregor and state aid expert Nina Niejahr, won a big victory for Zhejianj Xishiji Foods and Hubei Xishiji Foods, leading Chinese canned fruit producers, to overturn antidumping import duties.

In state aid, Fiona Carlin and Niejahr were representing energy company MOL on an on-going appeal relating to over €100 million in state aid, while Niejahr also helped Chemrec to win approval for approve state aid for the R&D for a biofuels technology plant.

Kurt Haegeman and Bill Batchelor were busy on the merger side, which included acting for CVC / Univar on its acquisition of the non-French assets of Eurochem (successful before both the European and French commissions) and Ashland on clearance for the $930 million sale of its distribution business to TPG as part of a global restructuring.

In mid-2011, the firm achieved two big back to back victories, one on behalf of Mitsubishi Electric, in relation to the gas insulated switchgear cartel, and another for Trade-Stomil, in the synthetic rubbers cartel. The firm secured two complete dismissals of substantial fines which had been levied on its clients in 2006 and 2007, the latter being the first ever fine on a Polish company.