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.
Concentrations
•Antitrust recovery
•Cartel defense
•Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
•Competition
•Commercial agency, distribution & franchise
•EU law
•Intellectual property & technology
•International trade
•Investigations
•Litigation
•Market entry
•Merger control proceedings
•Pharmaceuticals, medical devices & health care
•Platforms
•Regulatory
•State aid
•Technology, media & telecommunications
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Listed, Legal 500 EMEA, EU and Competition - The Netherlands, 2021 and 2023-2025
•Recommended, Who's Who Legal, 'Compeition,' 2024