Cleary Gottlieb was named “Competition Team of the Year” at the 2015 Legal Business awards. The firm was recognized for its work in successfully defending client Metlac against a hostile takeover by larger industry competitor Akzo Nobel, which was the first time the UK competition authorities prohibited a purely overseas transaction between two foreign companies. The decision also established a new scope of jurisdiction for the Competition Commission.
Cleary Gottlieb advised Metlac on all aspects of the case, throughout the OFT and Competition Commission merger investigations, as well as representing Metlac before the CAT and Court of Appeal.