DETAILS

Overview

"Brian Byrne is a really stand-out lawyer. Very smart, thoughtful, and solution-oriented. Takes time to understand our industry and business."

The Legal 500 EMEA 2025

Brian R. Byrne has 15 years of experience handling complex matters of EU law, both contentious and advisory. He is an experienced EU litigator with a diverse practice encompassing international trade law, EU competition law and EU State aid law.

In trade matters, Brian has extensive experience advising clients in relation to all aspects of EU/UK sanctions and export control laws. Brian helps clients to navigate the complexities of rapidly evolving EU/UK sanctions and export controls, especially when operating in higher-risk jurisdictions (such as Russia, the Middle East, and Central Asia) or trading in sensitive goods and technology, such as “dual-use” goods, or items of strategic importance to targeted regimes (e.g., energy sector technology). Brian has also represented clients before the European Commission (DG Trade) in EU trade defence (anti-dumping) proceedings, both as complainant and defendant. Brian works closely with colleagues in the firm’s London and Washington, D.C. offices to offer clients a seamless multi-jurisdictional solution to their trade law needs.

Brian also has vast EU litigation experience having represented clients in over 30 cases before the General Court and Court of Justice of the EU. Notable cases where Brian has helped clients to successfully overturn unlawful decisions adopted by EU institutions/agencies include Case T-77/16 (acting for Ryanair and securing annulment of an EC State aid decision), Case T-472/21 (successfully acting for France’s transmission system operator (RTE) against the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), and Case T-364/16 (acting for the European steel tube industry and securing annulment of an EC anti-dumping decision). Prior to joining Baker Botts, Brian represented the Council of the EU in several anti-dumping cases before the EU Courts.

In competition law matters, Brian has represented clients before the European Commission in abuse of dominance investigations, both as complainant and defendant. He also helps clients that are facing investigations by (or litigation before) national competition and regulatory authorities (or courts), often in preparation for a reference to the European Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling.

Brian’s experience spans a range of different industries, including air transport, energy, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, telecommunications, technology and mining.

Admissions & Affiliations

Brussels Bar, A-List
Qualified Solicitor, Ireland, 2009

Education

Master of Laws, New York University School of Law 2010
Bachelor of Civil Laws, University College Dublin 2007
first class honors

Experience

EU Litigation

Representing Ryanair before the General Court and Court of Justice of the EU challenging European Commission State aid decisions concerning Ryanair's relationships with a number of regional airports. Cases T-111/15, T-165/15, T-53/16, T-77/16, T-165/16, T-833/17, T-448/18, T-148/25, T-492/15, C-758/21 P, C-453/19 P, C-205/19 P, C-204/19 P, C-203/19 P, C-202/19 P.
Representing RTE, and several other European transmission system operators (TSOs) in cases challenging decisions of the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). Cases T-606/20, T-607/20, T-472/21, C-281/23 P, C-282/23 P.
Represented Ryanair in its appeal against the European Commission's 2013 merger control decision prohibiting Ryanair from acquiring control of Aer Lingus. Case T-260/13.
Represented the Council of the EU in several anti-dumping cases before the General Court and Court of Justice of the EU. Cases C-215/13 P, C-3/13, T-277/13, T-276/13, T-108/13, T-442/12.
Represented the European steel tube industry in several cases before the General Court and Court of Justice of the EU in cases regarding anti-dumping duties. Cases C-186/14 P, T-500/17, T-364/16.

Export Control and Economic Sanctions

Representing a multinational client before the UK authorities (HMRC and National Crime Agency) and negotiating a compound settlement agreement for violations of UK sanctions/export controls
Advising a U.S. software company on EU sanctions when winding-down business operations in Russia
Advising a global manufacturer of sporting equipment on EU sanctions when winding-down business operations in Russia
Advising a global association for the shipping industry on EU/UK sanctions compliance
Advising a global biotech company on export control rules for goods with potential WMD applications
Advising a global LNG company on EU sanctions compliance related to transactions in the Middle East, Russia, and Southeast Asia
Advising a global oilfield services company on EU sanctions related to several jurisdictions, including Russia
Advising a global chemicals company on EU sanctions related to Russia
Advising a global pharmaceutical company on EU sanctions related to Iran
Advising an international aircraft leasing company on EU sanctions compliance

Competition & State Aid Law

Represented the World Shipping Council in relation to the parallel reviews of the block exemption for shipping consortia by the European Commission and UK CMA
Representing a leading Norway-based power exchange with operations throughout Europe, in bringing a complaint alleging an abuse of its dominant position by its main competitor
Represented the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as complainant in the European Commission's investigation into anticompetitive practices in the aircraft engines and components after market
Represented a major telecommunications company in a European Commission investigation concerning alleged refusal to deal and margin squeeze in the national broadband sector
Represented a major pharmaceutical supplier in its defence against an investigation by the European Commission into alleged collusive behavior and abuse of regulatory procedures
Represented Ryanair in proceedings before the Office of FairTrading regarding Ryanair's minority stake in Aer Lingus
Advising various companies on State aid law issues

Competition & State Aid Law

Representing EU manufacturers in anti-dumping expiry review investigations concerning imports of Chinese-produced ironing boards
Represented a non-EU chemicals producer before the European Commission throughout an EU anti-dumping investigation
Represented a European manufacturer before the EU anti-fraud office (OLAF) regarding circumvention of anti-dumping duties on imports from China

EU Trade Defence

Representing EU manufacturers in anti-dumping expiry review investigations concerning imports of Chinese-produced ironing boards
Represented a non-EU chemicals producer before the European Commission throughout an EU anti-dumping investigation
Represented a European manufacturer before the EU anti-fraud office (OLAF) regarding circumvention of anti-dumping duties on imports from China