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- Public Policy
Covington helps clients worldwide achieve critical business objectives by combining legal, political, and policy expertise to provide strategic advice and advocacy.
With more than 120 former government officials, diplomats, and regulators backed by global corporate and litigation practices, we turn government-related insight into practical advice for doing business. A particular strength of our practice is its trans-Atlantic capability. Our EU public policy team works closely with colleagues in our Washington, DC office to ensure that industry’s voice is heard in the European Union’s legislative process.
Covington is recognized among the best public policy firms in the U.S. and Europe by Chambers, Legal 500, and The National Law Journal.
We understand:
- how governments around the world make decisions, including the formal and informal considerations they take into account;
- how policy solutions emerge from a process involving governmental committees, leadership, intra- and inter- party relationships, and the ways in which various governmental entities influence each other; and
- the role grassroots and grass-tops, the media, NGOs, and advocacy groups play in advancing policy objectives.
However complex your problem, and wherever in the world it arises, Covington has the legal knowledge, the policy experience, the political insight, and the relationships to find solutions.
In addition, many on our team have extensive experience with the press, including writing op-ed articles for leading publications (e.g., The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Financial Times) on a wide variety of issues.
U.S. Congressional and Federal Agency Advocacy
In the United States, Covington draws on deep experience in Congress and executive branch agencies.
With a former member of Congress as well as senior staff members to legislators and on numerous committees, we have strong ties to Capitol Hill.
From the executive branch, our team includes former senior officials from the White House and across departments and agencies, including the Departments of Treasury, State, Defense, Justice, Commerce, Labor, and Homeland Security.
Global Public Policy
Building a successful global business involves navigating the intersection of law and public policy for every country and every region in which you operate.
In Europe, our team includes several former policymakers, such as a former Prime Minister; a former UK Europe and Trade Minister; a former leading member of the European Parliament; the former Permanent Representative of Belgium to the European Union; two former Deputy Directors General of the European Commission; and a renowned leading lawyer in European public affairs.
In Asia, the managing partner of our Beijing office was formerly the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative to China and General Counsel for General Motors’ China operations.
Our problem-solving team in Africa and Latin America are led by renowned regional strategists, including two former Under Secretaries of State, a former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
Advocacy Assistance on International Environmental Treaties
Advocacy assistance on issues related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, and lobbying on behalf of clients with respect to climate change legislation in the United States, in various states of the United States and in the European Union.
BSA in Major Domestic and International Copyright Law Reform Efforts
Advise Business Software Alliance in most of the major domestic and international copyright law reform efforts resulting from the advent of the digital age, including the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the WIPO Treaties, the EU Copyright Directive, the EU Software Directive, implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, and amendments to existing copyright laws in over 30 countries worldwide.
Coordinated monitoring and advocacy at the multinational, international and national levels
A highly innovative pharmaceuticals company was concerned about the public debate and policy proposals made to address antimicrobial resistance, as these could seriously curtail its future business. Working together with external partners, we monitor and participate in discussions at the G7, WHO, EU and national levels (in the UK and Germany), with several successes already at proposing alternative solutions more favorable to our client.
Copyright reform advice for consumer electronics companies in the EU
We have advised leading consumer electronics companies in the in EU in proceedings to consider possible reform of national rules on copyright levies.
EU competition policy advice
We have assisted on the government affairs aspects of various EU competition law issues, including individual cases, proceedings to adopt Article 82 guidelines and sector and cartel investigations.
EU Environmental Reform Advice
We assisted an environmental services company seeking to reform various aspects of the EU’s Emissions Trading System.
EU legislative advice for software companies
We have represented software companies on EU and national legislation concerning software standards, copyright infringement, electronic commerce, data protection, and other issues.
EU telecom coalition advice
We have served as secretariat to several informal coalitions working on telecommunications issues and intellectual property protection.
EU trade retaliation avoidance
We have designed and executed campaigns on behalf of U.S. producers seeking to avoid EU trade retaliation measures.
European product liability legislation
We have worked with coalitions of consumer product manufacturers on product liability and product safety legislation in the EU, France, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
REACH Advice for Chemical Producers
We advised chemical producers and downstream users on emerging rules with respect to the registration, testing, and classification of chemicals (REACH).
Renewable Energies Directive Regulatory and Legislative Advice
Provide regulatory and legislative advice regarding biofuel plants to an investment fund in connection with the European Union’s review of its Renewable Energies Directive and the adoption of sustainability criteria for biofuels.
Regulatory Advice on Applicable Pan-European WEEE and RoHS Requirements
Representation of a major manufacturer of semiconductor equipment in providing regulatory advice on applicable pan-European WEEE and RoHS requirements.
Strategic Advice on the Adoption of EU Energy Efficiency Requirements
Regulatory and strategic advice to a large manufacturer of electronic equipment on EU procedures for adoption of energy efficiency requirements on sound and imaging equipment under the ErP Directive.
Strategic intelligence gathering and outreach in Eastern Europe
A major energy drinks producer faced a major threat to its market access in an Eastern European country as a result of a legislative proposal. Using local resources, we collected intelligence on both the content of the proposal and its status, as well as on the relevant stakeholders.
Climate Change Legislation Advocacy and Lobbying Assistance
Advocacy assistance on issues related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, and lobbying on behalf of clients with respect to climate change legislation in various states of the United States and in the European Union.
Autonomous Vehicles Public Policy Counsel
We advise multiple stakeholders in the autonomous vehicle industry on public policy developments that impact this sector in the United States, Europe, and globally. Matters have included working with a self-driving trucking company on policy initiatives.
European Parliament and Council Regulatory and Advocacy Advice
Regulatory and advocacy advice to a biofuels company on legislative developments relating to the EU Renewable Energies Directive in the European Parliament and Council.
July 29, 2020, Covington Alert
Last week, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the possible adoption of a new EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”). This consultation is yet another of the initiatives that the Commission is taking to roll out its ambitious European Green Deal (for a recent overview webinar see here). Manufacturers in virtually all industrial ...
July 17, 2020, Global Policy Watch
On 16 July 2020, the European Commission (“Commission”) announced that it has launched an antitrust sector inquiry into “consumer-related products and services that are connected to a network and can be controlled at a distance, for example via a voice assistant or mobile device.” Commission Executive Vice President and Competition Commissioner Vestager said ...
July 16, 2020, Global Policy Watch
On 9 July 2020, Advocate General Bobek delivered his opinion on the status of edible insects (e.g., mealworms, locusts, and crickets) under the EU novel foods rules. While insects fall under the scope of the new EU Novel Food Regulation 2015/2283, the opinion recommends the Court of Justice to deny novel food status to such...… Continue Reading
July 14, 2020, Global Policy Watch
Introduction On 25 May 2020, the European Commission (“Commission”) has published its Final Report of the support studies for the evaluation of its Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (“VBER”) and the accompanying Guidelines on Vertical Restraints (the “Final Report”). The Final Report was published following a public consultation from 4 February to 27 May 2019 ...
July 8, 2020, Covington Alert
In recent years and with increased vigor in recent months, stakeholders and governments, including the United States, have focused on labor-related and other human rights issues concerning the treatment of Uyghur and other minority Muslim groups in the Xinjiang region of China. In this post, we provide an overview of some of these developments and considerations ...
May 17, 2020, Kyiv Post
Democracy in the times of COVID-19 with Věra Jourová
May 14, 2020, Bruegel
Michael Leigh participated in a webinar with Bruegel entitled, “Democracy in the times of COVID-19 with Věra Jourová,” to discuss how Europe can uphold its democratic values during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 5, 2020, Covington Alert
Every new team entering the Berlaymont to head up the European Commission starts out with bold and ambitious plans. Time after time, reality intervenes, and their plans are upended. This was true for the second Barroso Commission in 2010, when the aftershocks of the Global Financial Crisis and the Greek and Euro crisis that followed came to dominate their ...
March 31, 2020
LONDON—James Marshall has joined Covington’s Competition Practice in London as a partner. Mr. Marshall advises on all aspects of competition law and sector regulation and regularly counsels clients on merger control, investigations, commercial deals, abuse of dominance, and compliance. He is recommended by Legal 500 in multiple categories and is recognized as a ...
July 2020
Recapture of Excess COVID-19 Payroll Tax Credits Addressed in New Regs Recapture of Excess COVID-19 Payroll Tax Credits Addressed in New Regs As the legal, regulatory, and commercial implications of coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, our lawyers and advisors are helping clients navigate the complex considerations that companies around the world are ...
February 27, 2020, Covington Alert
On February 19, the European Commission laid out its ambitious plans for regulating data, AI, and the digital sphere. These set the stage for the next five years’ work for President von der Leyen’s Commission in this critically important, and ever expanding, domain. Crucially, in its plans the Commission is making a concerted attempt to call on the “Brussels ...
Covington Represents Ukraine in Securing Favorable Ruling Under U.N. Law of the Sea Convention
February 21, 2020
WASHINGTON—Covington secured a major ruling for Ukraine in an arbitration against the Russian Federation under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ruling, issued today by a five-member arbitral tribunal, rejected the majority of Russia’s jurisdictional objections and permits Ukraine’s case to proceed to the merits. “The Tribunal’s ...
December 23, 2019, CNBC
Francis Maude appeared on CNBC to discuss the risk and possibility of a Brexit no-deal. Lord Maude says, “The risk of a no-deal Brexit without a withdraw agreement is very unlikely because it is in no one’s interest for that to happen… But there has always been a risk that if both sides get into an absolute standoff that there could be an end to the ...
UK Election Brings Certainty but Concerns Continue
December 13, 2019, International Financial Law Review
Francis Maude is quoted in the International Financial Law Review regarding the UK election results and its effect on the future of Brexit. Lord Maude says, “It is too early to say for definite what will come next, though I feel that London will continue to be the financial center of Europe. It is where the critical means of capability is. I’m confident that the ...
European Countries Reluctant To Challenge FATCA
November 27, 2019, Law360
Atli Stannard is quoted in Law360 regarding the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s claims of European Union banks violating privacy and anti-discrimination laws when they share customer information with the IRS. EU countries may negotiate with the Treasury Department, but only if they receive larger cross-border effort against tax avoidance. Mr. Stannard says, ...
Covington Secures Decisive Victory For Ukraine Before the International Court of Justice
November 8, 2019
WASHINGTON—Covington has secured a decisive win for Ukraine in proceedings against the Russian Federation before the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”) concerning violations by Russia of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (“ICSFT”) and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial ...
September 16, 2019, Covington Alert
Over the summer, Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission since July 16, prepared her 27-member Commission. On September 10, she presented her new team – five years to the day from when Jean Claude Juncker presented the current Commission. If approved by the European Parliament, her new team will take office on November 1, 2019. This ...
Brexit: What’s Next?
August 28, 2019, Bloomberg
Francis Maude participated in a discussion with Bloomberg on the prorogation of the U.K. Parliament and its effect on Brexit. Lord Maude says, “There is nothing radical about [proroguing]. It’s also the case that Parliament always rises for recess in the second part of September…I think, actually, the judgment, that this makes a deal potentially more likely, is ...
Covington Represents Ukraine in Securing Order for Release of Servicemen and Naval Vessels
May 25, 2019
WASHINGTON—Advised by Covington, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs secured a significant victory against the Russian Federation in a dispute arising under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”), a 21-judge international tribunal based in Hamburg, ordered Russia to release three Ukrainian naval ...
May 22, 2019, The New York Times
Peter Balas spoke with The New York Times about the effects of populism in Europe on free trade. Mr. Balas says, “The rightist parties will play a bigger role. The Greens will play a bigger role. It will be much more difficult in the Parliament to have a cohesive approach to trade.”
CNBC Europe - U.K. National
May 7, 2019, CNBC
Francis Maude appeared on CNBC to speak about Brexit’s effect on British markets and the upcoming election.
April 25, 2019, Bloomberg Law
Bloomberg Law highlighted Covington's Global Problem Solving team and the efforts of the lawyers who make the capability possible. Sebastian Vos said the group doesn’t just work on problems for clients, but tries to use its resources to anticipate what problems could arise in the future and craft resolutions for them. “We help unlock a situation where a ...
The Brexit Headaches Keeping Partners Awake At Night
March 28, 2019, Legal Week
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in Legal Week regarding the potential decrease in work for law firms in the UK following Brexit. He says, “A general impression is that small and medium-sized enterprises don’t have enough resources to prepare, while our clients – large worldwide pharmaceutical companies – have invested millions into this. Many have done their homework, ...
CFTC paves way for no-deal Brexit swaps transfers
March 26, 2019, Risk
Anne Termine is quoted in Risk regarding U.S. margin rules in the event of Brexit. To ensure continued access to the full range of services, EU-based swaps counterparties may wish to move their contracts to affiliates outside of the UK, says Ms. Termine. Swaps dealers may need to move their swaps, for example, to the EU from a UK platform because there is no ...
Paid to persuade
March 25, 2019, The Law Society Gazette
Sebastian Vos, Francis Maude, and Erika Mann are quoted in The Law Society Gazette regarding Covington’s expansion of public policy work in Europe. Mr. Vos says, “The firm’s USP is the sheer number of former senior diplomats in our midst, on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in Asia and Africa.” He adds, what clients “value most is the combination of law ...
March 13, 2019, Law360
Carlo Kostka spoke with Law360 about Brexit’s effect on corporate contingency plans. Companies across the services and manufacturing industries have already invested enormous sums to prepare for the unknown, said Mr. Kostka. He added, “They have investment plans and, with some exceptions and caveats, the trigger has been pulled on many of those.”
Brexit: End Game
March 11, 2019, CNBC
Francis Maude spoke with CNBC about Article 50 and the possibility of a Brexit extension. On the possibility of an Article 50 extension, Lord Maude says, "I think it's inevitable that we'll ask for one."
December 13, 2018, Covington Alert
The first EU-level rules on the screening of foreign direct investment (FDI) are about to be agreed. These do not provide for the direct screening of FDI by the institutions of the Union, but rather create a framework for national initiatives and the exchange of information, and impose certain obligations on Member States to ensure a certain harmonization of any ...
December 3, 2018
BRUSSELS—Alexis Lautenberg has joined Covington’s Public Policy practice as a Senior Advisor. Ambassador Lautenberg is a long-serving Swiss diplomat whose career has been focused on European financial services and trade policy. His forty years of public service included postings as Swiss Ambassador to the EU, Italy and the UK. In 2013, he co-founded the Swiss ...
November 15, 2018
The proposed withdrawal agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom was published by the European Commission on November 14 (see here). The text runs to 585 pages, and represents a tentative agreement reached between the UK and EU negotiating teams. It is accompanied by an eight-page outline of the proposed political declaration on the future ...
Litigation Luminaries
September 10, 2018, Commercial Dispute Resolution
Eric Holder and Craig Pollack are featured in Commercial Dispute Resolution regarding the firm’s ambitions to be at the forefront of international dispute resolution. Mr. Holder and Mr. Pollack discussed managing complex disputes, diplomatic solutions, culture of collaboration, Brexit, and structure and strategy of a case. Mr. Holder said in the interview, “We ...
British Irish Chamber calls for State supports to Brexit-proof Ireland’s agri-food sector
September 5, 2018, Irish Examiner
Maree Gallagher is quoted in the Irish Examiner regarding Brexit’s impact on Ireland’s agri-food sector. Ms. Gallagher, also Chair of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce Agri-Food Committee, says, “The agri-food sector is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry employing around 250,000 people enabling €12.6bn in exports a year.” Ireland, who is a major source of ...
EU struggles to counter US sanctions on Iran
July 25, 2018, Financial Times
Jean De Ruyt is quoted in the Financial Times regarding EU plans to protect its businesses investing in Iran and mitigate a new wave of U.S. sanctions. Mr. De Ruyt notes, “It’s a European policy that’s totally in contradiction to the American policy: that doesn’t happen very often.”
July 24, 2018, The Telegraph
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in The Telegraph regarding an extension of the Brexit deadline. According to Mr. Van Vooren, “For that to happen, Article 50 requires that the European Council decides unanimously on the extension in agreement with the UK.” Mr. Van Vooren added, “An extension is not likely if it will merely extend the painful process of the last 15 ...
BBC Two's Daily Politics
June 15, 2018, BBC Two
Lord Francis Maude appeared on BBC Two's "Daily Politics" show to discuss the latest developments in Brexit negotiations in Westminster and beyond."
June 5, 2018, The Irish Times
Sir Michael Leigh and Lord Francis Maude recently participated in a roundtable with The Irish Times to discuss Brexit developments. Commenting on the status of finding a solution to the Irish Border issue, Leigh and Maude said that they do not envisage a solution to maintain an invisible border being agreed until there is a deal on the future EU-UK trading ...
BBC Radio Today
June 1, 2018, BBC Radio
Lord Francis Maude appeared on BBC Radio's "Today" programme to discuss new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU.
Bloomberg Surveillance
May 31, 2018, Bloomberg Surveillance
Lord Francis Maude appeared on "Bloomberg Surveillance" to discuss the latest developments related to Brexit.
UK leader's position difficult if she agreed a deal close to EU customs union: Ex-lawmaker
May 2, 2018, CNBC
Lord Francis Maude appeared on CNBC to discuss the UK's future trading relationship with the EU. According to Maude, “It remains the case that it is hugely in the interest of the UK and of the EU 27 for there to be a sensible, pragmatic deal that, with good will on both sides, means that Britain remains in a deep and special partnership with the EU.”
BIA Head Attacks Rapporteur Reallocation, But Welcomes Further Clarity On Transition Period
April 23, 2018, The Pink Sheet
Grant Castle is quoted by The Pink Sheet in an article regarding comments from head of the UK BioIndustry Association stating that authorities are jumping the gun by reallocating all UK centralized rapporteurships to other EU member states before it is clear whether there will be some form of continued regulatory relationship between the UK agency, the MHRA, and ...
March 23, 2018, Law360
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the draft treaty signed by European Union leaders to move forward Brexit negotiations, including a 21-month transition deal. As a matter of international law, EU law will apply “in and to” the UK up to and during the transition period, says Van Vooren. But, he adds, “this is not the same as ‘equating’ the ...
UK And EMA Could Work Together Informally After Brexit
March 15, 2018, The Pink Sheet
Bart Van Vooren and Peter Bogaert are quoted by The Pink Sheet in an article regarding the future relationship between the UK and the European Medicines Agency following Brexit. According to Van Vooren, the EU "considers that cherry-picking the benefits of the internal market on a sector-by-sector basis, combined with a request to be able to influence the rules, ...
March 14, 2018, Covington Alert
In our March 9 client alert we outlined the proclamations issued by President Trump announcing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum in the United States, which will go into effect on March 23. The European Union—which is the second-largest foreign supplier of steel and aluminum to the United States, after Canada—has expressed concern about the imposition of ...
Transition period unlikely to threaten City of London
March 7, 2018, Global Risk Regulator
Lord Francis Maude is quoted in a Global Risk Regulator article regarding the proposed transition period after the UK leaves the EU. "I’m not worried about the transition period if it is for a couple of years,” says Maude. “Typically, when new regulation is introduced, there is at least a two-year implementation period. It is possible some new regulation is ...
Lord Maude: Expect Theresa May to still be PM in 2019
December 28, 2017, CNBC
Lord Francis Maude appeared on CNBC to discuss the backlash faced by Theresa May as UK Prime Minister and what lies ahead. According to Maude, "It is very easy in the moment to see things as more stark than they are. And if Theresa May gets through this period, which I would expect her to, then I think we will look back and see this as a bit of turbulence. But ...
Brexit Summit
December 15, 2017, Sky News
Lord Francis Maude appeared on Sky News to discuss phase two of the Brexit negotiation process. "Well it's good news it's progressing," says Maude. He added, however, that it is not going to be easy as there is a lot to discuss, and it will take time. Maude also said that he believes the process can be more cordial now. "I think…in the early days, there was a ...
December 15, 2017, NPR
Jean De Ruyt appeared on NPR following the decision by European leaders to allow Britain to begin negotiating its future trading relationship with the European Union. According to De Ruyt, if European negotiators push too hard, they risk toppling Prime Minister May, who's weak at home. "Honestly, they want to reinforce her. She leads encouragement. Who else ...
December 14, 2017, Bloomberg
Lord Francis Maude appeared on "Bloomberg Surveillance" to discuss the Brexit process and Theresa May's role.
Brexit: EU and UK battle over ‘an accession in reverse’
December 3, 2017, Financial Times
Sir Michael Leigh is quoted in a Financial Times article examining which side holds more leverage in the Brexit negotiation talks. "It is asymmetrical. The candidate country has no choice but to accept the basis for negotiations,” says Leigh. “That goes for leaving too.”
Here Comes the Real Brexit Fight Over Cash
September 25, 2017, Bloomberg
Sir Michael Leigh is quoted in a Bloomberg article following Theresa May's speech in which she affirmed that Britain will pay its dues to the European Union through 2020. Commenting on the Brexit negotiations, Leigh says, "Money is the most visible issue, the most sensitive, and the most likely to be the focus of disagreements."
September 15, 2017
BRUSSELS—Sir Michael Leigh has joined Covington’s Global Public Policy and Government Affairs practice as a Senior Advisor. Dr. Leigh was Director-General of DG Enlargement at the European Commission from 2006 to 2011 and as such served as chief European Union negotiator with candidate countries. From 2003 to 2006, he was Deputy Director-General of External ...
Juncker’s one-president proposal draws few cheers
September 13, 2017, Politico
Jean De Ruyt is quoted in a Politico article regarding EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s proposal to combine presidencies with Council President Donald Tusk. According to De Ruyt, it is a “logical idea” and has long been discussed in EU circles. The Council president and Commission president “already share around 80 percent of their competences,” De ...
Beyond 100 Days
September 13, 2017, BBC
Lord Francis Maude appeared on BBC to discuss Jean-Claude Juncker's State of the Union speech and Brexit.
POLITICO Brussels Playbook: UK Brexit 'fairy tale' —Theresa May's pink line — Italy's Northern League goes soft
August 24, 2017, Politico
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in Politico's "Brussels Playbook" regarding the UK's ECJ Brexit position paper. According to Van Vooren, “Although it reads like a non-committal overview of possible options, there is a clear focus on the most advanced forms of institutional integration currently in existence (other than the EU itself, of course)."
August 23, 2017, The Law Society Gazette
Bart Van Vooren is quoted by The Law Society Gazette in an article regarding the UK's position paper which dismisses the European Commission’s demand for disputes to be handled by the CJEU. According to Van Vooren, the paper "has the seeds of a compromise on the CJEU."
Brexit Bulletin: ‘Confused and Puzzled’
August 22, 2017, Bloomberg
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in Bloomberg's "Brexit Bulletin" regarding a position paper from Theresa May's government on how it sees the post-Brexit relationship with Europe. According to Van Vooren, in the August 21 paper, the UK asked for British drug manufacturers to be able to release medicines to the European market after Brexit. Yet that would only work if ...
August 21, 2017, Bloomberg
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in a Bloomberg article regarding the release of UK position papers outlining its goals of a future relationship with Europe. “Without the U.K. making a fundamental choice on its future relationship to the EU, it cannot expect to receive this depth of mutual recognition,” says Van Vooren. “Without making that choice clear now, the ...
August 3, 2017, The Telegraph
Bart Van Vooren is quoted by The Telegraph in an article regarding the legality of Spain's veto over whether the Brexit deal will apply to Gibraltar. According to Van Vooren, "This is actually a complex question of EU constitutional law." He adds, "Could such a legal issue become an obstacle to the withdrawal agreement with the UK? That certainly cannot be ...
July 26, 2017, PaRR
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in a PaRR article regarding the UK Government's negotiating position on the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union following the completion of Brexit. According to Van Vooren, the EU was “in a slightly stronger position from an international law perspective” regarding pending cases and that the UK would likely “still be ...
July 17, 2017, The Telegraph
Bart Van Vooren is quoted by The Telegraph in an article regarding the push by EU negotiators to impose fines on Britain for breaking European laws after Brexit. According to Van Vooren, "The way that infringement proceedings are brought is very much under the discretion of the commission…and they are extremely politicised." He adds that there would be a huge ...
June 12, 2017, CNBC
Lord Francis Maude appeared on CNBC following the UK election where he discussed what the results mean for the upcoming Brexit negotiations and more.
Special Coverage: The UK Decides
June 8, 2017, Bloomberg
Lord Francis Maude appeared on Bloomberg following the close of the UK election polls. "This was absolutely a good election for [Theresa May] to call, but the absolute rule should have been don't take risks," says Maude when commenting on the exit poll results which showed the Tories falling short of a majority. He adds that, at this point, the outcome is still ...
June 7, 2017, Sky News
Lord Francis Maude appeared on Sky News' Ian King Live ahead of the UK election where he discussed the upcoming Brexit negotiations and the need for Britain to be "outward looking" and as supportive of business as it can be.
May 15, 2017, Covington Alert
On May 2, 2017, the European Commission published a legislative proposal for a Regulation on a Single Market Information Tool. If adopted, the proposed Regulation would empower the Commission to request information from companies and trade associations, from a wide variety of industrial, technological and services sectors, if the Commission finds that serious ...
May 11, 2017, PaRR
Bart Van Vooren is quoted in PaRR's "Brexit Club" column regarding the two-part approach to the Brexit negotiation process, following the publication of draft negotiating directives for “phase one” of the talks. According to Van Vooren, there are real legal problems with this two-part approach, regardless of the parties' up-front negotiating positions. One ...
May 10, 2017, Financial Times
Sebastian Vos is quoted by the Financial Times in an article which examines Brussels' resistance to its EU counterparts' request for the European Commission to create additional hurdles for foreign investment, particularly in China. Vos indicates that an EU mechanism to monitor foreign investment "would be an interesting tool for the commission to have in ...
April 18, 2017, LexisPSL
Lisa Peets is quoted in a LexisPSL article regarding the Conservative Party's mandate for a hard Brexit. According to Peets, "An increased majority gives the Prime Minister greater flexibility to push for a harder or a softer Brexit, depending on what she actually wants." She adds, "A healthy majority helps May show the EU that she can deliver on her ...
Brexit: What's Next
April 7, 2017, Bloomberg
Carl Bildt was interviewed by Bloomberg to discuss the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union after it triggered Article 50. According to Bildt, “[At] the end of the day there has to be some sort of agreement…and I think we are heading towards a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement.” He adds that there will need to be an interim agreement as it’s going ...
March 30, 2017, Covington Alert
Today, the UK Government published a White Paper envisaging an initial continuation of EU law in the UK “wherever practical and appropriate” on withdrawal from the EU (“Brexit”). Today’s White Paper comes one day after the UK notified the EU of its intention to leave which triggers the two-year Brexit negotiation period. The UK Government intends on achieving ...
Expect Clear Brexit Negotiating Positions by the Summer
March 29, 2017, CNBC
Following the triggering of Article 50, Sebastian Vos was interviewed by CNBC to discuss the Brexit negotiation process. According to Vos, “It’s a very compressed timeline.” He adds, “The aim is to achieve a mutually beneficial post-Brexit relationship between the EU and UK, but…the various member states have to take account of differing national interests.”
Brexit's Impact on Businesses
March 29, 2017, Bloomberg
Following the triggering of Article 50, Lord Francis Maude was interviewed by Bloomberg to discuss the impact of Brexit on businesses. “I think there’s a deep recognition on both sides that there is a joint self-interest in reaching a sensible, orderly agreement.” He adds that there are “huge numbers of issues affecting lots of different sectors” and businesses ...
March 29, 2017, Covington Alert
Today, the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, formally triggered the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (“Brexit”) by invoking Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This is the first time an EU Member State has used the Article 50 mechanism. This marks the beginning of the two-year period in which an arrangement for Brexit must be agreed and ...
Two Birds doubles down on disputes
February 7, 2017, Commercial Dispute Resolution
Péter Balás is quoted in a Commercial Dispute Resolution article regarding forthcoming Brexit negotiations and the impact on tax and customs duties. Commenting on Theresa May’s signal of a changed relationship with the EU’s customs union, Balás says that such a relationship made the application of customs controls “unavoidable,” with the United Kingdom aiming ...
Brexit: mutual recognition hope for lawyers
January 30, 2017, The Law Society Gazette
Lord Francis Maude and Carl Bildt are quoted by The Law Society Gazette in an article regarding post-Brexit mutual recognition arrangements. According to Maude, it would be “very surprising if mutual recognition arrangements” could not be sorted out relatively easily. He adds that continuation is likely because the “benefits on both sides” are now ...
January 30, 2017, Covington Alert
As has been widely reported, President Trump issued an Executive Order (“the Order”) on Friday, January 27, 2017, entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” which, among other directives, bans individuals from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia (the “Covered Countries”) from entering the United States ...
Fintech Startup, Covington To Launch Blockchain Council
January 6, 2017, Law360
Sebastian Vos is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the launch of a Global Blockchain Business Council at this year’s World Economic Forum by Covington and The Bitfury Group. “Blockchain has the potential to be the next great technological innovation, revolutionizing areas from cross-border payments, trade finance and land registries to government records,” ...
December 12, 2016, The Guardian
Jean De Ruyt is quoted by The Guardian in an article regarding a proposal to allow British nationals to keep EU citizenship after Brexit. According to De Ruyt, “This proposal is absolutely not serious.” He continues, “It is very vague and for the distant future, it is not something which is made for Brexit. Maybe it can be discussed 10 years from now if member ...
November 16, 2016, MLex
Ambassador Jean De Ruyt is quoted in an MLex article regarding the appointment of Didier Seeuws as the leader of the Council of the European Union’s taskforce on Brexit. According to De Ruyt, Seeuws is a “good technician with a political mind.” De Ruyt adds that “[Seeuws is] a fixer; he wants to find solutions.”
November 3, 2016, Covington Alert
Today, the High Court of England and Wales held that the UK Government does not have the power to trigger the process of withdrawal from the EU without first obtaining Parliamentary approval. The High Court’s decision will likely be the subject of an appeal heard by the UK Supreme Court in December this year.
October 10, 2016
LONDON—Lord Francis Maude, the former UK Minister for Trade and Investment in Prime Minister David Cameron’s government, has joined Covington as a Senior Advisor in the firm’s Public Policy and Government Affairs practice. With a political career spanning almost 40 years, Lord Maude has held a number of high profile government positions, including Financial ...
October 10, 2016, PR Week
Timothy Hester and Lord Francis Maude are quoted in a PR Week article regarding Maude’s recent arrival. According to Hester, “The results of the Brexit referendum will continue shaping the commercial and regulatory realities of the global economy for some time to come. As the world’s businesses, diplomats and regulators grapple with the new landscape across ...
Thirteen partners – and a peer
October 10, 2016, CDR News
CDR News highlighted the promotion of 13 Covington lawyers to partner, as well as the arrival of Lord Francis Maude in London as a Senior Advisor in the firm’s Public Policy and Government Affairs practice. According to firm chair Timothy Hester, “Our new partners reflect the excellence, strengths, and diversity of the firm and will play important roles in the ...
October 3, 2016, The Guardian
Ambassador Jean de Ruyt is quoted in an article by The Guardian regarding the European Commission’s rejection of Theresa May’s call for preparatory talks on Brexit before the UK’s formal resignation from the EU. de Ruyt suggests there was a “grey area” where informal talks could happen, but governments will not start negotiations with the UK without notification ...
Covington Continues Expansion of European Capabilities
June 30, 2016
BRUSSELS—With the latest addition of Ambassador Péter Balás, Covington has further enhanced its global Antitrust and Competition and Public Policy and Government Affairs practices. The firm’s strategic growth in Europe includes the addition of the following professionals in recent months: Ambassador Péter Balás, the former Deputy Director-General of DG ...
June 6, 2016
BRUSSELS—Ambassador Péter Balás, the former Deputy Director-General of DG Trade at the European Commission between 2005 and 2014, has joined Covington as a Senior Policy Advisor. Recently Ambassador Balás also held the position of Head of the Support Group for Ukraine at the European Commission. He was previously Ambassador and Permanent Representative of ...
Covington attracts Prime Ministerial material
May 23, 2016, CDR News
Timothy Hester, Carl Bildt, and Sebastian Vos are quoted in a CDR News article regarding the arrival of Carl Bildt as a Senior Policy Advisor in the firm’s global Public Policy and Government Affairs practice. According to Vos, “In ever more complex regulatory regimes, the implementation of such regulation will often be very important. In this context, what the ...
May 19, 2016
BRUSSELS — Carl Bildt, the former Prime Minister of Sweden, has joined Covington as a Senior Policy Advisor in the firm’s global Public Policy and Government Affairs practice. Most recently, Mr. Bildt served as Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs between 2006 and 2014. As Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Bildt led the government that negotiated and signed ...
February 8, 2016
BRUSSELS — Erika Mann, a former Member of the European Parliament and policymaker with over 20 years of experience, has joined Covington in its Brussels office as a senior European policy advisor in the firm’s global Public Policy and Government Affairs practice. Most recently, Ms. Mann served as Managing Director of Public Policy for Facebook in Brussels from ...
October 2, 2015, The Washington Post
Senior of counsel Gary Guzy is quoted in this Washington Post article discussing new climate action plans released by 51 countries. “What is ground breaking is that, for the first time, all of the major emitting nations of the world are committing to a truly international approach to addressing climate change,” said Guzy. “While perhaps not perfect, the scale of ...
October 1, 2015, Covington Alert
September 14, 2015
BRUSSELS, September 14, 2015 — Ambassador Karel Kovanda has joined Covington’s global public policy and government affairs practice as a Senior European Policy Advisor. He will be based in the firm’s Brussels office. Ambassador Kovanda served as Deputy Director General of External Relations (now the European External Action Service) at the European Commission ...
August 25, 2015, Covington Alert
April 22, 2015, GlobalPolicyWatch Blog
TTIP talks must stay on track
January 10, 2015, European Voice
Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat has authored this piece on the transatlantic trade agreement: "We are at an important inflection point in the negotiation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement between the United States and the European Union." "TTIP has the prospect of being the most economically important trade agreement in ...
Four more months – measured sanctions relief for Iran
September 2014, Money Laundering Bulletin
Peter Flanagan and David Lorello have co-authored this piece on US and EU sanctions targeting Iran: "On 19 July 2014, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China (the “P5+1”) and Iran mutually consented to extend the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), reached by the parties on 24 November 2013, for an additional four-month period, to 24 ...
How to Compete with China in Africa | Commentary
August 8, 2014, Roll Call
Witney Schneidman writes on how extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act will enable the U.S. to maintain a competitive edge against China in the African market in this op-ed for Roll Call: "In the competition for African opportunities, job creation is the U.S. strategic advantage. We are not going to finance infrastructure the same way that China does, ...
June 16, 2014, Bloomberg
International public policy professional Sebastian Vos is joining Covington & Burling LLP to lead the European division of the firm’s global public policy and government affairs practice in Brussels. Vos, who works for Fipra International, will focus on competition and technology-related public policy issues and continue his public policy work involving emerging ...
Covington adds Vos
June 12, 2014, Politico
"The law firm Covington & Burling has brought on European public policy expert Sebastian Vos as a partner in the firm’s Brussels office. In his new role, he’ll lead the European division of the firm’s global public policy and government affairs practice. He’ll lead a team that includes former Ambassador Jean De Ruyt. “It’s a firm that has a very good reputation ...
June 12, 2014, The Lawyer
Sebastian Vos is feautured in this article regarding his recent move to Covington in the firm's Brussels office.
Stuart Eizenstat on Putin's Goal for Ukraine
June 4, 2014, Bloomberg TV
Covington's Stuart Eizenstat appeared on Bloomberg TV's Bottom Line to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin's goals for Ukraine.
The Devil and the Art Dealer
April 1, 2014, Vanity Fair
Stuart Eizenstat, co-chair of Covington’s international trade and finance practice and special adviser to Secretary of State John Kerry on Holocaust issues, is mentioned in this article regarding the 650,000 works of art looted from Europe by the Nazis during World War II, "Stuart Eizenstat, Secretary of State John Kerry’s special adviser on Holocaust issues, ...
US Has Options Beyond Sanctions In Ukraine Response
March 13, 2014, Law360
Covington partner Marney Cheek is quoted regarding potential economic sanctions targeting Russians and Ukrainians responsible for the unrest in Ukraine: “My sense is that the administration is waiting to see the outcome of any referendum regarding the status of Crimea...Sanctions are an appropriate response in the short term. But an ultimate goal, at least after ...
November-December 2019, Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law
- Recognized as a leading Government Relations practice by Chambers USA.
- The Hill, "Top Lobbyists" (2019)
- Holly Fechner, Muftiah McCartin, and Bill Wichterman
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