The 20 best competition and European Union law lawyers in France in 2026
Antoine Winckler is among the professionals included in the ranking compiled by Impact Lawyers.
| Lawyer | Firm | Main profile |
|---|---|---|
| Antoine Winckler | Cleary Gottlieb | European competition and mergers |
| Pierre Zelenko | Linklaters | Mergers and antitrust |
| Pierre Fabre | Bredin Prat | Competition and litigation |
| Olivier d’Ormesson | Linklaters | European competition law |
| Anne Wachsmann | Linklaters | Antitrust and European regulation |
| François Brunet | Cleary Gottlieb | Competition and mergers |
| Joseph Vogel | Vogel & Vogel | Competition and distribution |
| Olivier Fréget | Fréget Glaser & Associés | Antitrust and regulation |
| Noël Chahid-Nouraï | Gide Loyrette Nouel | European competition |
| Sophie Pelé | Dechert | Competition and life sciences |
| Emmanuelle van den Broucke | Jones Day | Competition and mergers |
| Jérôme Philippe | Freshfields | European antitrust |
| Cécile de Corbière | Clifford Chance | Competition and State aid |
| Christophe Lemaire | Ashurst Perkins Coie | European competition |
| David Henry | McDermott Will & Schulte | Antitrust and mergers |
| Vanessa Scherrer | Bredin Prat | Competition and litigation |
| Laurent Geelhand | Hausfeld | Competition infringement damages |
| Arnaud Sanz | Clifford Chance | Mergers and antitrust |
| François Renard | A&O Shearman | European competition |
| Sébastien Evrard | Gibson Dunn | Antitrust and digital markets |
How the ranking was compiled
This ranking does not replicate the order of any directory. Impact Lawyers has cross-referenced individual recognitions from Chambers France, Legal 500, Leaders League and other professional sources, and has subjected them to its own editorial weighting. The baseline industry source can be consulted here.
The assessment combines cross-recognition and continuity in directories (30 %), complexity and relevance of verifiable practice (25 %), technical specialization in merger control, cartels, abuse of dominance, State aid and European litigation (20 %), professional leadership and independence (15 %) and international, academic or institutional standing (10 %).
Impact Lawyers' own criteria
External bands and categories are used as evidence, not as an outcome. Recognition of the firm is not automatically transferred to the lawyer, and renown does not replace specialization. The ability to personally lead matters, build a differentiated practice and work in national and international contexts is also valued.
This methodology explains why the list and the order do not fully coincide with Chambers, Legal 500 or Leaders League. Directories usually rank firms, divide professionals into tiers without internal ranking, and depend on submission processes. Impact Lawyers translates those signals, together with editorial review, into an individual selection.
Featured professionals
Antoine Winckler stands out for the balance between track record, specialization, leadership and sustained recognition. Pierre Zelenko and Pierre Fabre are also among the featured professionals in this selection. Differences between closely ranked profiles may be narrow.
How it should be interpreted
The ranking expresses a general assessment based on public information available in 2026. It does not measure fees, does not guarantee results and does not claim that an included professional is the best choice for any matter. The specific selection must consider the dispute, sector, jurisdiction, availability, language, budget and relationship of trust.
Professional trajectories may change. Before publishing future updates, it is advisable to verify partner movements, new structures, and potential incompatibilities. The 2026 edition serves as a reasoned snapshot of the French market, not as a permanent certification.
