Founded in Paris in 1920, Gide is a leading international law firm with 12 offices spread throughout the world.
Gide is physically present in six regions of the world, with 11 offices, enabling it to act on cases globally.
4 February 2019
Appointment | Brussels | Competition & International Trade
Pierre-Jacques Larrieu, Head of Unit in DG Taxation & Customs Union at the European Commission until February 2018, joins Gide as Senior Advisor. He will work most particularly with the International Trade team at Gide Brussels on the implementation of European and international customs regulations, the determination of the origin of goods, and export control, in particular economic embargos.
Pierre-Jacques Larrieu began his career as a customs officer in France, in charge in particular of customs measures to help overcoming the steel industry crisis, as well as of customs valuation. He was then seconded to the European Commission, and became an administrator within DG Trade and DG TAXUD. He was a cabinet member to Commissioner László Kovács in charge of customs issues, before becoming head of unit, initially in charge of rules of origin and then moving on to protection of citizens and enforcement of intellectual property rights. His long experience within DG Trade in the sector of trade defence instruments and his intimate knowledge of the operation of both European institutions and those of a major Member State, make him one of the few experts to have acquired a comprehensive and concrete vision of the European Union's trade policy. Pierre-Jacques speaks French, English and Spanish.
Olivier Prost, partner of Gide Brussels in charge of the International Trade practice group, highlights: "Customs is once again becoming a crucial issue for our clients because of trade tensions, as well as the increasing number of trade agreements and the considerable practical customs implications, for instance on rules of origin. Additionally, Brussels, after Washington, is becoming a leading player in the management of economic sanctions. I have known Pierre-Jacques since 1995, when we taught trade policy together. I know he will offer highly relevant advice to our clients, who are facing the new challenges of globalisation".
Benoît Le Bret, partner in charge of European regulatory affairs, adds: "After 1992 and the end of the internal market, customs issues were put on the backburner within the European Union. 2019 could be the year they take centre stage again, as a consequence of Brexit and the many customs issues it raises".
A pioneer in international trade and competition law with the establishment of its Brussels office over 50 years ago, Gide never stopped developing its international trade know-how and is now considered as a market leader. Gide Brussels is indeed highly regarded for the excellence of its three practices, i.e. competition, international trade and European Union regulatory law. It numbers thirty lawyers and legal advisers, including five partners (Olivier Prost, Benoît Le Bret, Stéphane Hautbourg, Laurent Godfroid and Ségolène Pelsy) and two counsels (Anna Dias and Romain Rard). The team works closely with all other offices of the firm, in particular in Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia.
