Overview
(February 7, 2024, Brussels) — Steptoe LLP has announced the expansion of its Antitrust practice with the addition of seasoned practitioner Robert Klotz who joins the firm as a partner in Brussels. His addition follows another recent high-profile antitrust team hire, Lee Berger, former head of the US Department of Justice Civil Conduct Task Force, in expanding Steptoe’s antitrust regulatory capabilities.
“Robert’s work assisting clients with complex EU antitrust matters, especially in regulated sectors, helps us continue to support our clients in antitrust investigations, merger reviews and state aid inquiries across many sectors in the EU,” said Brussels’ Office Managing Partner, Renato Antonini. “His work at the intersection of competition law, sector-specific regulation, policy, and enforcement uniquely positions us to assist clients facing challenges with competition authorities and Courts on most complex inquiries. I am excited to welcome him to the firm.”
Robert’s longstanding track record in Brussels covers all aspects of EU and German competition and regulatory law. He advises and represents large companies and industry associations before the European Commission and national authorities, with a particular focus on network industries, such as energy, telecoms, post and transport. Previously he served for almost a decade as an official of the European Commission in DG Competition, leading a number of high-profile antitrust cases promoting the liberalization of former State monopolies in these same sectors.
Robert stated: "I am thrilled to join the Steptoe team in Brussels, which has a stellar reputation as a regulatory powerhouse in a number of network industries, including antitrust and competition, trade, data protection and ESG. This is a great fit with my practice and an exciting next step in my career. I look forward to partnering with the skilled attorneys at Steptoe to share insights and deliver top quality results for both new and existing clients.”
The diverse and multilingual team of lawyers in Steptoe's Brussels office advises a wide range of large multinational clients on the interpretation and application of all relevant areas of EU law and national laws of the EU Member states. They provide guidance on compliance issues and handle complex disputes with a particular emphasis on competition law, EU trade, data protection, environment, and chemicals regulatory compliance matters. Our multidisciplinary teams collaborate closely with colleagues in the US, UK, China, and Hong Kong to help clients anticipate and mitigate legal and regulatory risks globally and efficiently through cross-jurisdictional work.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
