April 7, 2026
Willkie partner Faustine Viala, Co-Chair of the European Antitrust & Merger Control Practice Group, has been recognized by Financier Worldwide as a 2026 “Power Player: Distinguished Adviser” for Merger Control.
Faustine was named among 10 of the top merger control lawyers across Europe, the U.K. and the U.S. and profiled in a Q&A article that discussed her professional development, keys to success and accomplishments in high-profile merger review cases.
She emphasized the importance of mastering the technical areas of law and developing deep experience in the field, as well as the tenacity required to excel. Those foundations enable you to push beyond conventions of the practice to provide creative and innovative solutions to complex problems.
“Fight with the right weapons, never give up and be creative,” Faustine said. “The goal is not to obtain approval at any cost, but to reach pragmatic outcomes that serve both client interests and regulatory expectations.”
She reflected on her career milestones including her secondment in Willkie’s New York office in 2007, her appointment in 2018 to lead the antitrust and competition team in Paris, and, ultimately, her success in building a preeminent practice and becoming a trusted advisor to her clients.
The profile also highlighted her record of success in major merger review cases, including representing CMA CGM in its acquisition of Bolloré Logistics, PAI Partners in its acquisition of Tropicana, and Arkema in its acquisition of the adhesives business of Total SA, among numerous other matters.
View the Merger Control 2026 “Power Players: Distinguished Advisers” here (subscription may be required).
Faustine was named among 10 of the top merger control lawyers across Europe, the U.K. and the U.S. and profiled in a Q&A article that discussed her professional development, keys to success and accomplishments in high-profile merger review cases.
She emphasized the importance of mastering the technical areas of law and developing deep experience in the field, as well as the tenacity required to excel. Those foundations enable you to push beyond conventions of the practice to provide creative and innovative solutions to complex problems.
“Fight with the right weapons, never give up and be creative,” Faustine said. “The goal is not to obtain approval at any cost, but to reach pragmatic outcomes that serve both client interests and regulatory expectations.”
She reflected on her career milestones including her secondment in Willkie’s New York office in 2007, her appointment in 2018 to lead the antitrust and competition team in Paris, and, ultimately, her success in building a preeminent practice and becoming a trusted advisor to her clients.
The profile also highlighted her record of success in major merger review cases, including representing CMA CGM in its acquisition of Bolloré Logistics, PAI Partners in its acquisition of Tropicana, and Arkema in its acquisition of the adhesives business of Total SA, among numerous other matters.
View the Merger Control 2026 “Power Players: Distinguished Advisers” here (subscription may be required).
