COMPETITION

• Advised a number of companies across a range of sectors in relation to CMA Phase I clearance
• Advised private equity and global investment funds and private equity in relation UK, EU and international merger filings including EU and UK phase 1 and phase 2 investigations
• Assisted a leading technology company in relation to the CMA’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 investigation in relation to a proposed minority investment into the business
• Advised a leading pharmaceutical company in relation to Article 102 TFEU allegations
• Advised global manufacturers in relation to alleged anticompetitive and cartel conduct in relation to the sale of various autoparts
• Advised a major global manufacturer in relation to the European Commission’s power cables cartel investigation (securing partial immunity) and advised Hitachi Metals in its appeal to the General Court and a number of follow on litigation matters
• Advised a major electronics corporation in relation to a complex European cartel investigation relating to electronic commodity products, securing immunity from fines
• Advised a major Japanese industrial conglomerate on EU competition law cartel investigations and associated litigation
• Advised a global leisure goods manufacturer on EU competition compliance matters and EU distribution arrangements
• Advised a luxury clothing brand in relation to European and UK competition compliance matters
• Advised on state aid aspects of the ground-breaking Malta Delimara 4 LNG-to-Power project
• Advised on the acquisition of the largest private operator of a public safety network in the world, including the UK’s 999 network
• Advised multiple global companies in relation to the design and implementation of competition compliance systems and policies
• Seconded to in-house team of global bank to provide day-to-day EU and UK competition advice
• Advised leading UK bank in relation to the CMA’s retail banking market investigation
• Advising leading technology company in relation to the EU’s sector-specific market investigation

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND SANCTIONS

• Prepared numerous NSIA filings across a range of sectors and received unconditional clearances for each
• Advised many clients in relation to UK and international foreign investment filings and national security related reviews
• Advised a leading manufacturer in relation to the acquisition of a UK business subject to UK and international export control rules
• Advised a leading petro-chemical trading company on all aspects of trading compliance and international trade sanctions issues
• Advised a leading international (re)insurance company in relation the application of UK and international sanctions. Seconded to in-house compliance team to provide day-to-day sanctions advice
• Advised a Lloyd's syndicate, on international trade sanctions and compliance
• Advised on multiple trade, export control, and financial sanctions cases for major international insurance companies and trading houses
• Advised a leading Russian bank before the European courts in relation to its inclusion in EU sanctions
• Advised numerous companies across many industries in relation to the application of UK, EU and international sanctions and trade controls

SPORTS

• Advised leading sports regulatory bodies and governing bodies in relation to the application of EU and UK competition
• Advised global telecommunication companies on EU and UK competition issues relating to the acquisition of football broadcasting rights
• Advised the British Athletes’ Commission in relation to various issues affecting the elite-level athletes it represents including high-profile duty of care in sport issues, selection issues, doping allegations, and communications with NGBs and UK Sport;
• Advised elite athletes in relation to allegations of misconduct and bullying by coaching staff in a number of different sport

Ms. Fearns is heavily involved in community and pro-bono projects providing assistance to individual clients and nonprofit organizations in litigation and transactional matters.