Norton Rose Fulbright boosts Brussels competition offering with new partner duo

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has further strengthened its GCR Global Elite antitrust and competition practice with the appointment of two new partners in Brussels.

Jean-Nicolas Maillard and Yves Botteman, who both join from Dentons, have worked together since 2014. They will work closely with the firm’s existing Brussels team, led by its Head of Brussels Alexandra Rogers, and its global network of more than 150 antitrust and competition lawyers across 20 countries.

Jean-Nicolas was previously head of Dentons’ EU practice and brings over 25 years’ competition law experience. His practice focuses on EU and French competition law, in particular cartel and antitrust investigations, and he has represented companies in numerous cases before the EU and French competition authorities. He has significant experience advising on business critical competition matters for global corporations, both in transactional and conduct contexts.

Yves is also highly experienced, having worked for over 25 years on complex cases and advised clients on their most sensitive matters. His practice focuses on EU competition law, in particular EU and national merger control and cartel and antitrust investigations, and he has a strong record of achieving favourable outcomes in European Commission proceedings. He has a particular focus on assisting clients with navigating the digital space, and a range of new regulatory regimes in this area, including the EU’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act. He also has extensive experience supporting clients in relation to sustainability collaborations and managing the risk of greenwashing claims.

Both partners have been repeatedly recognised by Chambers Global and Legal500 EMEA as leading practitioners in their field.

Alexandra Rogers said:

"We warmly welcome our new partners, Jean-Nicolas Maillard and Yves Botteman, to the firm. Their more than 50 years of combined experience in European antitrust and competition law – as well as their impressive track record of securing favourable outcomes in European Commission proceedings – will further strengthen our team and ensure we can meet the growing demand from our clients."

Jean-Nicolas Maillard said:

"Joining Norton Rose Fulbright, with its impressive global capabilities, is an excellent opportunity to take my practice to the next step. As both antitrust and merger control matters grow increasingly complex and now often span multiple jurisdictions, a robust global platform is crucial for delivering comprehensive and cohesive solutions to our clients."

Yves Botteman said:

"I am excited to join Norton Rose Fulbright’s Brussels practice with Jean-Nicolas at this pivotal moment for antitrust and competition in Europe, with businesses contending with multiple new regimes. The firm’s prestigious reputation and long history of advising on many of the world’s highest profile competition and antitrust matters, as well as the wide breadth of sectors that it covers, make it the ideal place for me to develop my practice and help my clients navigate this period."

Ian Giles, the firm’s Head of Antitrust and Competition, EMEA, said:

"Our competition practice is going from strength to strength, with the team incredibly busy across a range of high profile mandates in merger control, investigations and litigation. The current geopolitical climate is leading to increased regulatory uncertainty for businesses, which is only increasing the demand for advice from lawyers who really understand how to navigate the various global authorities. We are very excited to be bringing Yves and Jean-Nicolas into our Brussels team, and I am very confident that we will see continued growth across the practice as they bring their complementary experience and knowledge onto our platform."

Senior associate Paul Henrion and associate Lisa Sopena, also from Dentons, are joining Norton Rose Fulbright alongside the new partners.

This is Norton Rose Fulbright’s second major European antitrust and competition hire this year. In January 2025, partners Veronica Pinotti and Martino Sforza joined the firm’s Milan office from White & Case.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s global antitrust and competition team advises on all aspects of antitrust law, including multinational mergers and clearances, cartels, abuse of dominance, international investigations, compliance and the important area of antitrust litigation. Its lawyers are qualified in many jurisdictions and practice before courts and competition authorities across the world.