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Robert Hardy

Dr. Robert Hardy, LL.M. (Harvard) is a Local Partner in the firm’s Amsterdam office. He advises clients on matters spanning a wide spectrum of economic sectors, including consumer products, energy, financial services, manufacturing, life sciences, TMT, and transportation.

Robert focuses his practice on:

  • Antitrust Litigation & Competition Regulation
  • International Trade
  • Regulatory & Compliance.

Antitrust Litigation & Competition Regulation

Robert’s practice covers a wide range of issues under European and Dutch competition law. He represents clients before the European Commission (EC), the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM), the Dutch administrative law courts, and the EU courts in matters relating to cartel defense, abuse of dominance, merger control, and State aid proceedings. Additionally, he represents clients before the Dutch civil law courts on issues relating to antitrust damages claims.

International Trade

Robert provides clients with guidance on ex-U.S. foreign investment review – e.g., foreign direct investment (FDI) / national security regimes –, intellectual property – standard essential patents (SEPs) and FRAND licensing disputes before the Dutch civil law courts –, transactions, import and export controls, and sanctions.

Regulatory & Compliance

Robert advises clients on a diverse range of EU and Dutch regulatory frameworks that impact business matters. He provides proactive and responsive advice and legal risk assessments to clients, assisting with day-to-day business transactions, counseling on the applicability and effect of regulations, and providing guidance on how to mitigate the risks of potential enforcement actions – e.g., helping clients build effective yet practical internal compliance programs, and advising companies on commercial agency, distribution, and franchise arrangements.

Robert is a member of the Amsterdam Sustainability Desk. The Sustainability Desk is available daily and provides assistance and support for real estate sustainability inquiries in the Netherlands and the EU. Please visit our dedicated Sustainability Desk page for more information.

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The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued a preliminary ruling refining the Sumal doctrine, with potential implications for corporate groups facing competition damages litigation in the EU. Companies with intermediate holding companies in the Netherlands and other EU Member States may wish to assess their exposure in light of the Court’s clarified jurisdictional framework.…

Continue Reading EU Court of Justice Clarifies Jurisdiction Rules for Competition Damages Claims

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Continue Reading European Commission guidance for EU competition-compliant possibilities for cooperation between competitors in realizing sustainability objectives