"[An] outstanding lawyer with many years of experience."
The Legal 500 EMEA 2024
Leading Individual – Antitrust
The Legal 500 EMEA 2024
"Michael Esser possesses over 20 years’ experience in the gamut of competition matters. His clients span the technology, fintech and e-commerce sectors."
Who's Who Legal 2022
"He offers experience in merger clearance mandates, foreign direct investment filings and follow-on damages litigation."
Chambers Europe 2023
Leading Senior Lawyer – Antitrust
JUVE 2021-2024
Among the top 10 leading antitrust lawyers in the digital economy
JUVE 2023/2024
Thought Leader – Competition
Who's Who Legal 2024
Best Lawyers – Antitrust Germany
WirtschaftsWoche 2018-2022
"Well versed in handling European Phase II proceedings, very experienced, and creative."
The Legal 500 EMEA 2021
"Very high level of market knowledge and practical experience as well as a good network with all relevant decision-makers."
Chambers Europe 2020
Profile
Widely recognized as one of Germany’s leading antitrust lawyers, Dr. Michael Esser advises clients on German and European competition matters ranging from complex merger clearances to global cartel investigations and litigation.
Michael draws on more than two decades of experience at the forefront of high-profile antitrust procedures to deliver favorable outcomes for prominent German, European, and international companies, with a focus on the technology, fintech, telecommunications, and e-commerce sectors. Regardless of the matter at hand, Michael harnesses his sophisticated technical knowledge and strong agency relationships to resolve issues involving antitrust enforcers and courts worldwide.
A sought-after writer on competition topics, Michael regularly contributes to prominent legal publications. His work includes serving as a co-editor of the antitrust journal Neue Zeitschrift für Kartellrecht (NZKart).
Experience
Michael’s experience includes, among others, advising:
Merger Control
DuMont on antitrust aspects of the:
Sale of Mitteldeutsche Zeitung media group
Sale of Hamburger Morgenpost
REWE on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office merger review process of Edeka/Kaiser’s Tengelmann; and in the proceeding of the ministerial approval (before the German Ministry for Economics) and the subsequent litigation before the Court of Appeals*
Liberty Global on the acquisition of the German cable companies Kabel BW and previously Unitymedia, including the proceedings before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court*
Cartel Investigations & Litigation
NEC in the European Commission’s investigation into DRAM semiconductors, the first settlement of a horizontal cartel case with the Commission*
A technology company on possible cartel investigations in a number of product markets
An infrastructure company in an investigation by the Federal Cartel Office and the public prosecutor’s office regarding alleged anti-competitive agreements in bidding procedures for the public award of construction projects
A satellite operator in a proceeding concerning the allocation of satellite frequencies for on-flight internet services
*Matter handled prior to joining Latham
Qualifications
Bar Qualification
Brussels Bar - E List
Rechtsanwalt (Germany)
Education
Dr. jur., University of Hamburg, 1993
Second German State Exam, University of Hamburg, 1993
LL.M., University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1988
First State Exam, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, 1987
In the leading competition publication’s annual review of the strongest antitrust practices around the globe, the firm dominated in every category, ranking second across all specialties.
Under the draft law, the FCO could impose behavioural and structural remedies following a sector inquiry without finding an infringement of German or EU competition law.
Notice: We appreciate your interest in Latham & Watkins. If your inquiry relates to a legal matter and you are not already a current client of the firm, please do not transmit any confidential information to us. Before taking on a representation, we must determine whether we are in a position to assist you and agree on the terms and conditions of engagement with you. Until we have completed such steps, we will not be deemed to have a lawyer-client relationship with you, and will have no duty to keep confidential the information we receive from you. Thank you for your understanding.