Eversheds Sutherland expands its global competition offering with strategic hire in Brussels

Partner Marjolein De Backer joins the global law firm’s Brussels practice

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, Marjolein has significant experience of 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, Marjolein regularly provides national security guidance to clients whose transactions may require foreign investment review in the EU Member States and internationally. She has played a key role in representing leading corporations across a broad spectrum of industries before the EU, UK, and Belgian competition agencies and courts.

Marjolein joins from global law 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 international law firm, Linklaters, where she spent secondments in both London and New York.

Marjolein has been ranked by legal industry directories for several years. Chambers Europe Guide, 2023 praises Marjolein “…for her great analytical skills”, and notes that she “…earns a considerable volume of client praise for her work on merger clearance and sector investigations”.

Ranked as a ‘Rising Star’ by fellow legal industry directory, Legal 500, Marjolein is described by the publication as “active in a number of complex investigations”. Who’s Who Legal, 2023 Global Guide identifies Marjolein as a ‘future leader’ and one of the global elite thought leaders in competition law. She is praised for her “complete mastery of the law” and her ability to “to tailor her advice to the specific business needs”.  

James Lindop, Partner and Global Co-Chair Competition, Trade & Foreign Investment, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“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. 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. We look forward to working with her.”

Peter Harper, Partner, Competition, Trade & Foreign Investment, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Marjolein has a fantastic track record of advising global companies on some of the most high profile European Commission cases in recent years. Her appointment further expands our ability to be able to support clients on business critical EU and multijurisdictional competition law mandates.   It also further reflects our ambitions as a team to continue to expand our global offering following recent hires and promotions in Washington, Hong Kong and London.”

Marjolein De Backer commented:

“Joining Eversheds Sutherland and working alongside a highly reputable team on a range of competition matters is a very exciting opportunity for me. 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.”

Marjolein’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.