REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Gabriela da Costa
Advising a major European football body on several high-profile projects, including potential
competition law and governance challenges before the European Commission and national
competition authorities against the rules and practices of UEFA and FIFA.
Advising the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (National Chamber for Italian Fashion) and the
Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (the governing body for the French fashion
industry) respectively on their submissions to the European Commission in the context of its
e-commerce sector inquiry and its review of the EU vertical rules.
Advising Ping, the golf club manufacturer, on its challenge to the UK Competition and Markets
Authority’s finding of infringement in relation to its online sales policy before the
Competition Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal, and in respect of its EU selective distribution
terms.
Advising leading pool robot producer Maytronics on the design, implementation and enforcement of
its EU distribution strategy, including successfully obtaining (in Hague court proceedings) what
we believe is the first ever EU-wide injunction against an unauthorised reseller, and assisting
on its acquisition of a German distribution partner.
Successfully defending a major sports brand against allegations of suspected resale price
maintenance by the Competition and Markets Authority, leading to closure of the initial inquiry
without a formal investigation being opened.
Successfully defending a premium sports brand against allegations of unlawful cross-border
resale restrictions by the Swiss Competition Commission, leading to closure of the
investigation.
Advising a major sports brand in relation to the termination of a large high-profile retailer
threatening competition law complaints and claims.
Advising the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) on the
competition aspects of its high-profile air cargo cooperation agreement with the International
Air Transport Association (IATA).
Advising various major producers in different sectors on cooperation agreements with their
competitors and related deal structuring, terms and 'rules of the road' protocols, including
joint ventures, joint bidding, joint distribution, R&D arrangements, sub-contracting, and other
forms of collaboration.
Advising major brands, including in the luxury, lifestyle, home goods and electronics sectors,
on the design and structuring of their direct-to-retailer and direct-to-consumer structures.
Advising various major consumer brands including GoPro, Jabra, Navico, and others on dual
distribution (customer-competitor) structures and risk-management protocols, including
information exchange, competing e-commerce promotions and pass-on discounts / rebates
Advising a leading diamond wholesaler on negotiations with and a possible complaint against
several industry participants for potential cartel/coordinated activities and abuses of
dominance in relation to commercial terms.
Advising luxury fashion groups including Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Only the Brave (including
Diesel and Staff International), Canali, Tateossian, and others, on EU selective distribution
and verticals matters.
Advising premium personal care product manufacturers including a multinational beauty company,
Image Skincare, and Reuzel, on EU distribution and verticals matters.
Advising an aerospace corporation on various matters, including successfully advocating before
the European Commission for remedies in a joint venture, together with competition law advice on
various major commercial arrangements.
Advising audio electronics brand Jabra on the design, implementation and enforcement of its
distribution strategy in various regions globally.
Advising skiing and cycling equipment manufacturer POC Sport on the design, implementation and
enforcement of its EU selective distribution strategy.
Advising leading phone accessories brand Otterbox on the design, implementation and enforcement
of its EU distribution strategy.
Advising Energizer on EU distribution matters.
Advising animal supplements manufacturer Nutramax on the design and implementation of its EU
selective distribution strategy and distribution matters.
Advising marine electronics manufacturer Navico (maker of the Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and C-MAP
brands) on the design, implementation and enforcement of its EU selective distribution strategy.
Advising luxury headphone brand Master & Dynamic on the design of its distribution terms in
various regions globally.
Advising premium headphone manufacturer Bang and Olufsen on vertical distribution matters in
various regions.
Advising premium headphone manufacturer Bose on vertical distribution matters in various
regions.
Advising leading specialist glove producer Mechanix Wear on EU distribution strategy design and
implementation.
Advising Darling Ingredients Inc., the leading provider of rendering and recycling solutions to
the U.S. food industry, on its acquisition of Europe-headquartered Vion Ingredients for
approximately €1.6 billion, creating the global leader in converting bio-nutrients streams into
specialty products and ingredients for multiple industries.
Advising NEP Group Inc. on various transactions, including its recommended takeover of Avesco
Group plc., acquisition of SIS Live, and the acquisition of joint control in NEP Inc. by
Crestview Partners and Carlyle Group.
Advising Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation on its acquisition of the Akers business.
Advising Euro Car Parts on its acquisition of the Andrew Page Business, seeking consent from the
Competition and Markets Authority and involving an initial enforcement order.
Advising Formula One Management on various competition law matters.
Advising Halliburton on competition law matters relating to complex commercial arrangements and
agreements.
Advising leading medical solutions provider Mölnlycke on various matters, including public
procurement involving the NHS Supply Chain and competition law review of its commercial
relationships.
Advising EuroChem on its fertilizer production joint venture with Migao Corp.
Advising a leading media company in a high-profile Phase II merger review by the then
Competition Commission, being the second ever “fast-track” reference case and involving the
third public interest intervention in history by the UK Secretary of State.
Advising a major international chemicals company on its formal response to the preliminary
findings of the Ukraine Competition Authority regarding alleged abuse of dominance.
Advising numerous trade associations in various industries including metals, real estate and
technology on EU and national competition law.
