He has 35 years of experience in handling a wide range of major matters for global clients and is regularly retained to counsel clients at the most senior level. He has particular expertise in cartels, merger control, distribution, licensing and abuse of dominance. He represents clients before the European Commission and the EU Courts, as well as in national competition law proceedings and follow-on litigation particularly in the UK.
Andrzej has handled a large number of EU cartel investigations, representing clients in dawn raids, leniency applications, full adversarial and settlement proceedings and, where needed, ultimately on appeal and in damages actions. He is particularly experienced in handling EU aspects of global cartels involving multiple jurisdictions including the US.
His experience in merger control extends as far back to the early years of the EU Merger Regulation. He has secured approvals in a large number of transactions across multiple sectors, including in various phase 2 reviews. He is experienced in pre-deal counselling and in coordinating reviews in multiple jurisdictions, as well in obtaining FDI approvals.
Andrzej has a very active practice in the field of vertical agreements. He regularly both crafts and defends complex pan-European distribution systems and licensing arrangements for leading brands. He has also developed a niche practice in the field of motor vehicle distribution, combining extensive experience with in-depth industry knowledge.
He is increasingly involved in matters where competition law intersects with regulatory law, including in relation to the EU Data Act.
Client, Chambers 2026, Competition: EU“He exemplifies a rare blend of technical excellence and commercial insight, always delivered with interpersonal grace.
Representative matters
- End-of-Life Vehicles (cartel matter: representing a Japanese vehicle manufacturer throughout the Commission’s investigation and administrative settlement proceedings culminating in the final decision adopted in 2025)
- Woodpulp (cartel matter: representing Stora Enso in the Commission’s investigation of a suspected cartel in the supply of woodpulp leading to the successful closure of the investigation in 2023)
- Boeing/Embraer (representing Boeing in the Commission’s phase 2 merger control review of Boeing’s planned acquisition of the Brazilian regional jet manufacturer Embraer until the transaction was aborted in 2020; previously representing Boeing in various Commission and national merger control reviews, including the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas merger)
- Ancillary Sports Merchandising (vertical licensing matter: representing a leading US consumer brand in the Commission’s investigation and administrative proceedings (under the novel cooperation procedure) focused on cross-border and internet sales restrictions culminating in the final decision issued in 2019)
- Deutsche Börse/London Stock Exchange (representing Euroclear in successfully challenging the planned merger between Deutsche Börse and London Stock Exchange before the Commission, which was prohibited by the Commission in 2017)
- Occupant Safety Systems (cartel matter: representing Toyoda Gosei throughout the Commission’s investigation, the leniency process and the Commission’s administrative proceedings culminating in the final decision adopted in 2017, and in follow-on damages litigation)
Pro bono
(UK) Competition Pro Bono Scheme, participating advisor
Professional
- Admitted to Brussels Bar, 2019 (A list)
- Admitted as Solicitor, England and Wales, 1989
Academic
- College of Europe, Bruges, Diploma in European Law, 1990
- College of Law, London, 1986/1987
- Merton College, Oxford University, M.A., 1985
- Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, Competition: EU
- “He exemplifies a rare blend of technical excellence and commercial insight, always delivered with interpersonal grace.” (2026)
- “His steadfast commitment to our interests and composed demeanor – even in the most challenging circumstances – make him an invaluable and trusted adviser.” (2026)
- “Andrzej Kmiecik’s expertise and customer-oriented approach are outstanding.”(2025)
- “……provides an excellent service. He is always available, even when he is extremely busy, attending requests of advice with very short notice.” (2025)
- “…….an expert in his field, highly knowledgeable and always up to date, but also business-savvy and capable of delivering legal advice in a practical and business-friendly manner.” (2025)
- “…… is the first person to call if I want a quick, intuitive answer or if we have a highly strategic, high-stakes issue. He delivers.” (2024)
- Chambers Global and Chambers Europe – ‘Leaders In Their Field’ (Competition/European Law)
- Legal 500 for Competition Law (Leading Individual)
- “Extremely experienced on cartel matters and provide[s] wise and reassuring counsel.’ (2024)
- International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers and Economists
- Expert Guides – Guide to the World’s Leading Competition and Antitrust Lawyers
- Best Lawyers – Competition/Antitrust Law
Publications
- Chambers Global Practice Guides, Cartels 2025, EU chapters: co-author
- Van Bael & Bellis: Competition Law of the European Community, Kluwer Competition Law, updated intellectual property chapter, co-author (2023)
- The General Court’s landmark ruling in Valve on technical measures used to prevent passive sales: the end of the road for the territorial protection afforded by unexhausted IP rights?, VBB on Competition Law, Volume 2023, No. 9; Concurrences Bulletin (2023, with modified title)
- Van Bael & Bellis: Competition Law of the European Community, Kluwer 6th edition (2021): coordinator and contributing author (incl. vertical agreements chapter)
- The EU Commission publishes the draft revised Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and draft revised Guidelines on Vertical Restraint, Concurrences Bulletin (2021), Antitrust Writing Award, Best Business Articles (2022): co-author
- Reflections On the Coty Judgment of The Court Of Justice: Consequences for Platform Restrictions and Selective Distribution, VBB Insights; Mondaq (2017)
- Regular contributor to Concurrences on case developments in vertical agreements
- RPM, MFN & Other Challenges in Verticals, Advanced EU Competition conference, Informa, London, April 2025: speaker/moderator
- Recent developments in EU cartels/Data Act Update, Keidenran (Japanese Business Federation), Tokyo, May 2025: speaker
- Latest developments in European competition law: KPMG conference on Recent developments in US, EU and Japanese antitrust, Tokyo, September 2024: speaker
- EU and UK Economic Security Policies: EU Data Act, Keidanren seminar (Japanese Business Federation), Tokyo, September 2024: speaker
- Dual Distribution and Information Exchange, Informa conference on Vertical Restraints & Distribution, Brussels, June 2022: moderator and speaker
- The Commission’s Draft VBER and Vertical Guidelines, VBB webinar, September 2021: speaker and moderator
- White Paper on Foreign Subsidies, Kluwer, webinar, 2020: speaker
News & insights
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