Christian Riis-Madsen is a Danish qualified partner and member of the Brussels Bar based in the Brussels office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is a member of the Firm’s Antitrust & Competition Practice Group.

Mr. Riis-Madsen’s practice focuses on EU competition, including merger control, abuse of dominance, investigations, cartels, as well as EU regulatory law. He has significant experience in high-tech industries where he is representing some of the largest companies in the world, on matters involving fast-evolving markets, intellectual property rights, and complex trade patterns. He often acts as a strategic team-leader, coordinating several counsel in order to adopt an eagle-eye, comprehensive approach to his clients’ most sophisticated issues.

Furthermore, he is one of very few antitrust specialists in Brussels of Scandinavian background, giving his broad practice an invaluable perspective on the culture and laws of the region.

Over the years, Chambers Europe has consistently distinguished Christian in its Competition: EU – Belgium category, where clients reported that he is “smart, robust and clear in his thinking” in the 2021 edition. Previous editions also highlighted that he “has a good understanding of commercial issues and provides companies with pragmatic advice that is well-connected with the business realities”. The publication described him as a “well connected, thoughtful and quick,” lawyer who impresses “clients with his pragmatic, client-focused attitude and strong attention to detail.” Mr. Riis-Madsen is also ranked by Chambers Global 2021 in its Competition/European Law category, he is described as  “a true business partner,”  say clients, particularly appreciating that “he places great emphasis on understanding our business and thereby provides very practical and on-point advice.” Mr. Riis-Madsen is also ranked by Chambers Global 2021 in its Competition/European Law category, he is described as  “a true business partner,”  say clients, particularly appreciating that “he places great emphasis on understanding our business and thereby provides very practical and on-point advice.” Legal 500 EMEA has singled out Christian for his “keen understanding of competition law and its application to a commercial situation”, as well as his “problem-solving orientation”, and “awareness of particular hi-tech business sectors.” Its 2020 edition highlights him as one of the team’s key lawyers. Who’s Who Legal recommends Christian Riis-Madsen is “a smart lawyer”, recognized by sources as “fantastic” when it comes to competition matters relating to the tech space. Mr. Riis-Madsen has previously been ranked among the “Top Young Antitrust Lawyers in the World” by Global Competition Review in its 2016 “40 Under 40” awards. He is also recognized by Best Lawyers in Belgium (2013-2021) for Antitrust.

Before joining Gibson Dunn, Riis-Madsen practiced with O’Melveny & Myers from 2004 to 2019 and most recently served as head of the Brussels office. Prior, he had practiced with Norton Rose in Brussels and Kromann Reumert in Copenhagen.

Admitted to practice in Denmark and Belgium, Mr. Riis-Madsen earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in 2000, and his Bachelor of Law in 1998 both from the University of Copenhagen.

He speaks fluent Danish, English, French, German, Norwegian and Swedish.

Publications and Conferences:

• Articulating the Effects-Based Approach – Chillin Competition conference – December 2019.
• The Role of Competition Policy in Hi-Tech Markets – Chillin Competition conference – Madrid, 15 February 2019.
• Proof of abuse of dominant position – Concurrences – 3 June 2015.