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Dr. Michaela Westrup is Co-Office Managing Partner of the Munich office and a leading lawyer in Reed Smith’s German antitrust practice. She advises a broad range of international companies on EU and German competition law, including some of the world’s largest digital platforms and market leaders, on agency investigations, disputes, compliance and distribution matters, as well as cartel and abuse of dominance proceedings. Michaela also has extensive experience guiding transactions—often with cross-border dimensions—on merger control and foreign direct investment (FDI) screening, including managing proceedings before the competent authorities.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Merger control support for a €1.5 billion financing round of a leading satellite operator.
Compliance counseling for ProSiebenSat.1 Media.
Representation of semiconductor software company Altium in its €5.6 billion acquisition by Renesas, including merger control and FDI filings in numerous jurisdictions.
Merger Control
Merger control support for a €1.5 billion financing round of a leading satellite operator.
Compliance counseling for ProSiebenSat.1 Media.
Representation of semiconductor software company Altium in its €5.6 billion acquisition by Renesas, including merger control and FDI filings in numerous jurisdictions.
Regulatory support for the sale of a majority stake in CDMO Famar to MidEuropa.
Merger control proceedings for ITM regarding the formation of a radionuclide joint venture with CNL.
Investment control advice in connection with Frequentis’s acquisition of FRAFOS.
Representation of Microsoft in the FDI review of its acquisition of Xandr.
Advising brand manufacturers across industries on European distribution strategies and agreements.
Representing various companies in investigations by the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt, FCO).
Abuse of Dominance and Cooperation
Represented two German industry associations in litigation against a major German DIY retailer over allegations of buyer power abuse affecting a wide range of suppliers during the pandemic, and in subsequent abuse proceedings before the FCO.
Advising clients from multiple sectors on competitor collaborations.
Online Platforms and Distribution
Represented Expedia in proceedings before the FCO and in litigation brought by the German Hotel and Restaurant Association concerning parity clauses and ranking.
Counseling international clients on German and EU distribution strategies, including selective and exclusive distribution, third‑party platform bans, online and direct sales, and pricing.
Sector Inquiries and Investigations
Represented clients in connection with various FCO sector inquiries, including on comparison portals, user reviews, and smart TVs.
Represented a brand manufacturer in FCO proceedings concerning dual pricing in online sales.
Recognitions
- Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in Germany and Handelsblatt for Competition/Antitrust Law, 2020-2025
- Recognised in the JUVE Handbook Germany for Competition/Antitrust, since 2018
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of Frankfurt, Germany, 2001, Dr. jur.
- Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 2000, Second State Exam (Bar exam equivalent)
- Northwestern University, Chicago, USA, 1999, LL.M.
- University of Frankfurt, Germany, 1997, First State Exam (J.D. equivalent)
- University of Frankfurt, Germany, Study of Law
- University of Keele, 1995, Study of Law
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Germany
Court admissions
Court admissions
- All German Higher Regional Courts
- All German Local and District Courts
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Munich Bar Association
- German Competition Law Association
- Munich Competition Law Forum
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