Michaela is co-managing partner of Reed Smith’s Munich office and a leading lawyer in the firm’s German Antitrust and Competition practice. She advises a range of international companies on EU and German antitrust and competition matters, including some of the world’s largest digital platforms and industry leaders, on investigations, competition litigation, compliance, distribution matters, on cartel, as well as market-dominance cases. Michaela also has significant experience in guiding clients through the regulatory aspects of transactions, often in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, to obtain merger clearance and to deal with German foreign investment screening.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Providing regulatory advice to ITM in relation to a joint venture with CNL.
Assisting Frequentis with regulatory filings regarding its acquisition of FRAFOS.
Advising Microsoft on foreign investment screening with respect to their acquisition of Xandr.
Providing regulatory advice to ITM in relation to a joint venture with CNL.
Assisting Frequentis with regulatory filings regarding its acquisition of FRAFOS.
Advising Microsoft on foreign investment screening with respect to their acquisition of Xandr.
Advising brand manufacturers of various sectors on their distribution strategy and contracts in Europe.
Representing various companies in investigations of the FCO.
Competition litigation in a distribution matter – representing two German industry associations in an action against a major German DIY retailer over an alleged abuse of buyer power vis-à-vis hundreds of suppliers during the pandemic and in a follow-on investigation of the German Federal Cartel Office into the DIY retailer’s related conduct
COVID-19 co-operations – guiding clients of various sectors regarding co-operations with competitors.
Most favoured nation clauses – representing Expedia in proceedings of the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) Expedia – defence in court proceedings brought by the German Hotel Association with respect to MFNs and ranking
Advising international clients and market leaders regarding their German and European distribution policies on an ongoing basis, including selective distribution, exclusive distribution, third party platform bans, online and direct distribution as well as pricing matters
Sector inquiries – representing various clients in sector investigations by the FCO, including comparison portals, user reviews and smart TVs
Investigations – defending a brand manufacturer against dual pricing allegations in the context of online sales in proceedings of the German FCO
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
News
1 / 15
Insights
Blogs
1 / 6
Events
1 / 5