Niharika also has extensive experience coordinating multi-jurisdictional merger control filings across the globe and works across a broad range of sectors including basic industries, chemicals, consumer products, digital, energy, financial services, telecommunications and transport.
Prior to joining Van Bael & Bellis, she worked in the competition departments of two international law firms in Brussels and London, as well as the consumer legal team of a multinational bank.
Niharika regularly writes on antitrust issues and developments and publishes in the firm’s monthly Competition Law Newsletter. She is also a contributing author of the Chambers and Partners and Lexis+ UK’s EU merger control practice guides, which are two of the most important reference texts for EU merger control and are regularly utilised by practitioners across the EU and beyond.
Work highlights
- Acting as antitrust counsel for Sopra Steria Group SA in its acquisition of Ordina N.V. – from the initial discussion phase to securing competition clearance in the EU.
- Acting as main antitrust counsel for the acquisition of a multi-billion dollar revenue-generating group of companies active in the basic, energy and transport industries – securing EU clearance and coordinating and securing clearances in several other jurisdictions worldwide, including the USA.
- Regularly advising an e-commerce client on compliance with EU and UK digital regulations including the DMA, DSA, DMCCA, P2B and consumer protection rules, as well as Article 102 TFEU.
Pro bono
Niharika is an active member of the VBB DE&I Task Force.
Professional
- Admitted to Brussels Bar (B list), 2023
- Admitted as Solicitor, England and Wales, 2022
Academic
- Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, BPP University, London, United Kingdom, 2020 (Distinction)
- LL.M. Competition Law, King’s College London, United Kingdom, 2018 (Pass with Merit)
- LL.B., King’s College London, United Kingdom, 2017 (First Class Honours)
- Chambers and Partners: Merger Control Law and Practice in EU (2024): contributing author
- Lexis+ UK: EU merger control (2024): contributing author
