Michael has over fifteen years’ experience advising on a broad range of UK and EU antitrust matters, frequently involving complex or novel issues.
These include:
- merger control (UK, EU and multi-jurisdictional, at phase 1 and 2)
- cartel and dominance probes (for defendants and complainants), with experience leading teams of lawyers on numerous dawn raids
- distribution and e-commerce, including leading cases on online platform restrictions
- competition litigation
- state aid
- day-to-day training and compliance
Michael also has a thriving foreign direct investment practice, co-ordinating clearances across multiple jurisdictions. He has particular expertise in the UK’s National Security & Investment Act regime, and has advised acquirers on a number of sensitive cases called in for a detailed assessment by the UK Government.
Michael’s career has seen him practising competition law in London, Brussels and Beijing, as well as in-house at Diageo plc.
His experience spans a wide variety of sectors, notably technology, media, energy, manufacturing, transport, life sciences, retail, sport, leisure and music.
The Legal 500 directory (2024) described him as “fantastic” and “very knowledgeable and proactive in dealing with our engagement”.
Recent experience includes advising:
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Copart and Hills Motors on the CMA’s phase 2 unconditional clearance of their completed merger in the car salvaging and green parts recycling sector
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a leading AI business on the merger control reviews of investments in it by two global tech giants
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XPO Logistics on the EU and UK merger clearance for its acquisition of Kuehne + Nagel’s UK logistics business
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Vision Express on the UK merger clearance for its acquisition of the Tesco Opticians chain
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Total Produce on the EU and global merger clearances for its global fresh produce joint venture with Dole
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Universal Music Group on the phase 2 EU and global merger clearances for its acquisition of EMI Music
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China General Nuclear on the EU merger control and state aid aspects of its joint venture with EDF to build the Hinkley C nuclear power station, including on appeal in the EU courts
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numerous clients on National Security & Investment Act and foreign investment screening reviews of acquisitions in, inter alia, the semi-conductor, cyber-security, data centre, energy, defence and life sciences sectors
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Expedia on the UK, EU and global hotel online booking investigations into “parity clauses” and in judicial review proceedings in the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal
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a leading sports media rights agency in the European Commission’s bid-rigging investigation
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an international online gaming business on complaints of abuse of a dominant position against a competitor in the UK and Sweden
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an oil pipeline operator on allegations of excessive pricing
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a leading US electric vehicle manufacturer on the CMA’s market study into electric vehicle charging and other matters
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Omnicom Media Group on the CMA’s digital advertising market study
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a leading fashion and beauty brand on its bricks-and-mortar and online selective distribution arrangements
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a consortium of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers (including Michelin, Pirelli and Continental) in a landmark follow-on damages action against a cartel in the UK’s High Court and Court of Appeal
Includes matters handled at Euclid Law or prior to joining the firm
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma in EU Competition Law, King’s College, London (2010)
Legal Practice Course, BPP (2006)
Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP (2005)
MSc History of International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science (2004)
MA (Oxon.) Philosophy, Politics and Economics (2002)
Admissions
England & Wales
Ireland (non-practising)
Languages
English, French, German and Spanish
Recent Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Author, “Reform of the UK’s investment screening regime”, Competition Law Insight, January 2024
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Speaker, UK and EU approaches to digital regulation, 20th CLU Competition Lawconference, October 2023
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Author, “Report Time for National Security Screening in the UK”, August 2023
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Chairing a day of the Informa EU Competition Law Summer School, 2021, 2022 and 2023
- Author, “Big data and competition law: with great opportunities come great risks”, PLC feature, July 2019
- Speaker, EU Automotive Network conference in Amsterdam (October 2017) and Frankfurt (October 2018)
- Speaker, Tech Nation competition law seminar for Future Fifty technology companies, September 2018
- Speaker, “Internet sales: risks, opportunities and the latest competition law developments”, client seminar, January 2018
- Author, “Austria Asphalt: When to file joint ventures in Brussels?”, Global Competition Review, September 2017
- Author, “Anti-competitive information exchange in the EU and China: a comparative approach”, Global Competition Review, April 2016
- Author, “SOEs must be careful with EU filings”, China Daily, April 2016
- Author, “Chinese SOEs may unexpectedly trigger an EU merger notification”, China Insight, April 2016
- Author, “Pfizer/AstraZeneca: Seeking a cure for foreign takeovers”, Red Tape, October 2014
- Author, “United Kingdom: Private Enforcement”, The European Antitrust Review, 2011
- Author, “Digital evidence searches in competition investigations: Best Practices for effective fundamental rights”, Concurrences, November 2009
- Author, “Bank Bailouts, State Aid And The Financial Crisis”, Corporate Rescue and Insolvency, August 2009
- Author, “EU Gas Regulation”, Getting the Deal Through, 2008
Contact Details
+44 20 3816 3015
Email: michael.reiss@euclid-law.eu