He has a wide range of experience as an EU competition lawyer, having started practising in Brussels in 1984.
He specialises in representing clients in complex investigations before the European Commission and in litigation before the EU Courts.
Before joining VBB, he was the head of the EU competition practice of Covington & Burling.
David has in-depth experience in the life sciences sector. He has successfully represented leading life science companies in major EU investigations and regularly advises them on life cycle management issues, European parallel trade and distribution issues (including co-marketing and co-promotion agreements), discount/ rebate schemes, collaboration arrangements, IP licensing and mergers.
David teaches competition law at the University of Liège, the Free University of Brussels, and the Brussels School of Competition. He regularly speaks at conferences and seminars on competition law matters.
Notable cases include:
- Lundbeck (“reverse payment” patent settlements).
- Cathode Ray Tubes (appeal of cartel decision).
- Ryanair (appeal of European Commission decision blocking takeover of Aer Lingus).
- Akzo (landmark case on legal privilege)
- Bitumen (appeal of cartel decision).
- Microsoft (appeal of fine for alleged non-compliance with Commission decision).
Professional
- Admitted as solicitor, England & Wales
- Admitted to Bar of Georgia, USA
Academic
- LL.M in EU law, Institute of European Studies, University of Brussels, 1984
- J.D., University of Georgia, 1983
- B.A. in Economics, Davidson College, USA, 1979
- Council member of Dean Rusk Center for International Law and Policy, University of Georgia School of Law
- Former Vice-Chair of International Antitrust Law Committee (ABA Section of International Law)
- Chambers Global and Chambers Europe for Competition Law
- Chambers Global and Chambers Europe – ‘Leaders In Their Field’ (Competition/European Law)
- Chambers Europe for TMT Law
- International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers and Economists – Thought Leader 2018
- International Who’s Who of Life Sciences Lawyers
- Legal 500 Competition Law
- PLC for Competition Law and Life Sciences
- Expert Guides – Competition and Antitrust
- Best Lawyers – Competition/Antitrust
- Best Lawyers – EU Law
- IFLR1000 – EU Competition Law (Leading Lawyer)
