James Marshall has joined Covington’s Competition Practice in London as a partner.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Marshall worked for the UK Competition and Markets Authority, where he helped develop the new UK competition regime. He has a wealth of experience before the European Commission, CMA, and sector regulators, particularly in network industries including infrastructure, energy, transport, and utilities. He has also been very active in the financial services sector, including advising on the global Foreign Exchange investigations and various FCA matters. In addition, Mr. Marshall has experience in advising technology, industrial, retail, and consumer companies on their strategic issues.

“The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority and other UK sector regulators are rapidly expanding their activities in the face of Brexit. Businesses can no longer rely on the European Commission as the one-stop-shop for their European competition issues and need to tailor their approach in different jurisdictions,” said Johan Ysewyn, the co-chair of the firm’s Competition Practice. “We have seen a sharp increase in the CMA’s activity over the past couple of years and believe this trend will continue to accelerate as UK regulators address changes to UK competition policy and enforcement arising out of Brexit. In the near term, the CMA and other agencies in the UK also are ramping up efforts to grapple with the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. James’ arrival is not only extremely timely, but also underlines our commitment to continued growth and expands our ability to respond to client needs in EMEA.”

“I have long admired Covington’s Competition team that has gone from strength to strength and whose growth trajectory reflects my own ambitions in the long term,” said Mr. Marshall. “I believe we have a unique opportunity to build on the firm’s achievements to date, at a crucial time when the UK competition agencies are introducing urgent measures to address the COVID-19 health crisis while also leaving the European Union, and I look forward to joining the team.”

Mr. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, and is admitted to practice in England and Wales.