Arnold & Porter has hired dual-qualified Nicola Chesaites in London to join its contentious competition law practice.
Chesaites joins Arnold & Porter as an employed barrister and partner, having spent just under a year as a freelance barrister after leaving Wilkie Farr & Gallagher in May 2025, after nearly four years as a partner.
Chesaites is a UK-qualified barrister and a Belgian advocate with more than 17 years of experience in competition damages litigation, collective actions under the UK’s private enforcement regime and complex European Union litigation.
She has represented claimants and defendants before the English courts and the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal and has appeared before the EU General Court and Court of Justice on behalf of corporates and EU institutions in a range of EU law disputes, including banking resolution, trade, sanctions, pharmaceuticals and transportation disputes.
She was also previously a partner at Quinn Emanuel (QE) in London for three years, having joined as of counsel in 2013 and been promoted to partner in 2019, leaving in 2021 with partners Boris Bronfentrinker, Elaine Whiteford and nine lawyers to join Wilkie.
Prior to QE, she spent 18 months as a referendaire at the European Court of Justice and, before that, was a senior associate at Covington & Burling’s Brussels office for four years. She trained and qualified as a barrister at Twenty Essex. Other experience includes a year as an EU law research associate at Freshfields and time as a lecturer in law at the University of Westminster prior to qualification.
Kathleen Harris, head of Arnold & Porter’s London office, said: “Nicola is widely recognised as a leading competition litigator and for her skill in navigating complex litigation risk and strategic advisory work. Her arrival strengthens our robust competition and commercial litigation practices. She will be a great addition to [the firm’s] London team.”
Niels Christian Ersbøll, global co-chair of Arnold & Porter’s antitrust practice group and head of the Brussels office, added: “Nicola’s unique dual qualification as both a barrister and a Belgian advocate will be a significant asset, enhancing our ability to support clients across the UK and EU in their cross-border antitrust matters and interconnected litigation, regulatory and transactional needs. We are delighted to welcome her to the firm.”
On joining the firm, Chesaites said: “Arnold & Porter’s integrated platform and global footprint make it an ideal environment for my practice, and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues in Europe and globally to provide clients with advice on their antitrust, regulatory and litigation risks.”
The move comes following last week’s announcement at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards that Harris had been recognised as the awards’ 2026 Law Firm Leader of the Year in the International Law Firm category.
Writing on LinkedIn, Harris said: “It is a privilege to receive this award, and my heartfelt thanks go to the organisers, judges and all my colleagues who support me daily. I recognise it is a privilege to be able to do my job and, more importantly, contribute positively to everyone else’s success and the next generation.”
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