Christian Duvernoy had been based in the firm's Brussels office since 1990, where he once served as partner-in-charge. His practice focused on the application of EU competition law and regulation in a diverse range of sectors, including IT/IP, financial services and manufacturing industries. Mr. Duvernoy represented clients before the European Commission in merger clearance proceedings and antitrust investigations, both into alleged collusion among competitors and the conduct of dominant firms, often involving IP-related issues. He also advised more generally on EU market access issues, including product standards and industry-specific regulatory requirements.

Mr. Duvernoy was involved both in clearance and in opposition proceedings concerning a number of significant communications and information technology mergers (Oracle/PeopleSoft; Telia/Sonera; PPC/Wind; MCI/WorldCom and WorldCom/Sprint; and Vodafone AirTouch/Mannesmann). He advised on all aspects of competition law, including cartel investigations and conduct restrictions faced by dominant firms, as well as in state aid proceedings. Mr. Duvernoy led the team that represented Red Hat in the EU's antitrust investigation of Microsoft; defended auto parts suppliers and a leading investment bank in cartel investigations; and represented information technology companies in a broad variety of proceedings, including FRAND disputes.

Mr. Duvernoy's market access practice often raised complex regulatory and legislative issues concerning EU health, safety and product standards. It included advising clients on the regulatory aspects of e-commerce services, such as EU data protection requirements, online selling and marketing rules and consumer protection issues. In EU legislative proceedings, Mr. Duvernoy worked with clients to establish a persuasive evidence-based record in support of their positions.

From 1988-1989, Mr. Duvernoy was an intern with the European Court of Justice (Cabinets of Judge Thomas O'Higgins and Advocate General Sir Gordon Slynn) and the Legal Service of the European Commission (Competition Team).