Eversheds Sutherland expands global competition offering

Eversheds Sutherland has announced the strategic international hire of Marjolein De Backer as a partner in its competition, trade & foreign investment practice in Brussels.

Qualified in both Brussels and New York, De Backer has significant experience in advising multinational corporations across the full spectrum of competition law issues including cartels, abuse of dominance, sector inquiries, strategic advice on collaborations, merger control, and state aid.

In addition, De Backer regularly provides national security guidance to clients whose transactions may require foreign investment review in the EU Member States and internationally.

De Backer joins from global firm Dechert where she helped to re-launch its Brussels-based competition practice. Prior to this, she was a key member of the team that launched the Brussels office and European antitrust practice of US firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Marjolein trained at Linklaters where she spent secondments in both London and New York.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marjolein, who brings with her a wealth of experience of advising on complex and strategic EU and multijurisdictional matters that will help underpin the next stage of the firm’s development of its global competition offering,” said James Lindop, partner and global co-chair competition, trade & foreign investment at Eversheds. “Marjolein is also well-known for her Belgian national competition work which will support the growth of our capability in Brussels, as well as enhance our growing practice globally.”

De Backer’s arrival follows further investment Eversheds Sutherland has made in its wider competition, trade & foreign investment offering including the appointment of Partner Joshua L. Shapiro in Washington at the beginning of the year and the promotions of competition, trade & foreign investment lawyers, Claire Morgan in London and Jocelyn Chow in Hong Kong to partner in May.

“Joining Eversheds Sutherland and working alongside a highly reputable team on a range of competition matters is a very exciting opportunity for me,” said De Backer. “I’m looking forward to drawing on my skills and experience to help further develop both existing and new client relationships throughout the Eversheds Sutherland network, as well as expanding our client offering in Brussels and internationally.”