KRISTINA NORDLANDER, co-leader of Sidley’s Antitrust/Competition group, has a thriving EU competition, litigation and regulatory practice representing major companies in a variety of sectors. Kristina is a skilled advocate and has led high-stakes antitrust investigations and regulatory matters before the European Commission as well as precedent-setting litigation before the EU Courts.
Kristina has a record of success in improving market access for her clients’ products and services, with a particular focus on high-tech sectors such as online services and ePayments, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and agribusiness. In addition to antitrust investigations and complaints, Kristina has vast experience using EU law tools such as free movement rules, litigation and infringement procedures to secure market access. She has challenged many product bans or restrictions imposed under various EU regulatory frameworks.
Kristina advises clients on all aspects of EU competition law, including merger control, cartels, abuse of dominance and other anti-competitive behavior. She has extensive experience in EU state aid law, in particular regarding taxation. Kristina also focuses on EU competition law enforcement issues impacting the digital single market, online selling, mobile and electronic payments and other technology. She advises a variety of online marketplaces and platforms on EU competition issues, complaints and investigations. In addition, she was heavily involved in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG Competition) e-commerce sector inquiry and is involved in several investigations and cases against Google.
A seasoned litigator, Kristina has represented clients in numerous high-profile EU Court proceedings regarding alleged antitrust violations, disputed product classifications/restrictions, market access, data protection/transparency and legal privilege issues. Together with Sidley’s Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy team, Kristina has helped clients challenge EU regulations and decisions through World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements.
A thought leader on EU law, Kristina teaches, speaks and publishes regularly on trending issues related to European regulation, antitrust policy and dispute resolution.
“Ms. Nordlander is prepared to take unconventional approaches to her cases. While her work often finds her in the highest European courts, she also understands that clients do not always want the dramatic solution.”
FT European Innovative Lawyer Awards 2017
Clients say that Kristina Nordlander is “really creative” and particularly highlight her understanding of how EU institutions work. She co-heads the firm's competition practice and leads a variety of EU law mandates, including EC behavioural investigations, out of the firm's offices in London and Brussels. “She is extremely open to listening and understanding,” notes another impressed client.
Kristina’s work on behalf of clients has earned her recognition in many industry publications. Most recently, she has been listed in the 2020 edition of Best Lawyers in Belgium. Kristina has been honored with the International Law Office’s Client Choice Award for “Life Sciences” in 2019 and “Competition & Antitrust (European Union)” in 2018. She has also been ranked as a “Thought Leader” in Europe for Competition by Who’s Who Legal 2019. The Financial Times named Kristina to its exclusive “Top 10 Innovators” list in the FT European Innovative Lawyer Awards 2017. Global Competition Review ranked her among the world’s leading “100 Women in Antitrust” in 2009, 2013 and 2016, and among the top “40 Competition Lawyers Under 40” in 2012. In 2015, Kristina won the LMG Women in Business Law award for “Best in Competition and Antitrust.”
Kristina has been recognized repeatedly by Chambers and Partners in recent years. Examples of client praise include:
- [Nordlander is] “really creative” and particularly highlight her understanding of how EU institutions work. “She is extremely open to listening and understanding.” (Chambers Europe 2020, Competition/European Law)
- [Nordlander is] “able to figure out the right execution of the law and finds an angle to get the point across.” (Chambers Europe 2019, Competition/European Law)
- “She is very approachable, business-oriented, understands the needs of her client and is a real team player.” (Chambers Global 2018, Competition/European Law)
- [She is] “first-class in every way. Very knowledgeable, experienced and service-oriented.” (Chambers Global 2017, Competition/European Law)
- [Kristina is recommended for her] “technical expertise and knowledge of EU institutions and understanding of the political context in which she is working.” (Chambers Europe 2016, Life Sciences)