Michael is one of Europe’s leading experts on state aid law.
Michael is considered one of the leading lawyers in the field of state aid law in Europe.
Michael is specialized in competition law, state aid law, and general EU law (free movement law, EU procedural law, etc.). Michael also advises about general contract law. Michael has extensive litigation experience and regularly handles cases in the Danish courts and before the Court of Justice of the European Union. Michael is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court.
International education and background
In addition to a Master of Laws degree from the University of Copenhagen, Michael holds an LL.M. degree from the College of Europe in Bruges. Michael has also received a diploma as a business correspondent in French from Copenhagen Business School and has taken a 2-year degree in Executive Coaching.
Michael has worked as a lawyer in Bech-Bruun from 2005 to 2019, since 2012 as a partner in its department for EU and competition law. Before this, Michael worked as a référendaire at the Court of the European Union in Luxembourg (2002-2005) and as junior associate with the law firms of Liedekerke and Ashurst in Brussels (2001-2002).
Awards from international ratings agencies
Michael has been acclaimed as a "Leading Individual" in EU, competition, and procurement law in Denmark by the prestigious Legal 500 and listed in the leading rating publication Chambers in the Competition/European law category. Additionally, Michael has been designated as a "thought leader" in Competition - State Aid by the renowned Who's Who Legal.
"Michael Honoré is a leading specialist and provides specialist advice. He handles high profiles cases before the European courts. He is a highly skilled competition lawyer with particularly deep knowledge, and is a very pleasant person to work with. Michael is a state aid law star."
"He has unparalleled knowledge and experience."
"He has vast knowledge in his practice areas and is a pleasure to work with.
He is very thorough."
"Michael Honoré is quite simply a great and diligent lawyer."
"Michael Honoré is a very competent, legally sharp and pleasant lawyer to team up with."
"If you are looking for a lawyer who is not only highly skilled but also approachable, I highly recommend Michael Honoré"
"Michael Honoré is top notch for state aid, an intellectual tour de force."
"I really appreciate his open and constructive mindset, which makes him an asset for any client."
"Michael Honoré has a vast and deep knowledge of state aid and European law. He is always very helpful and delivers first class advise. I recommend him very often to my colleges and to other companies who are looking for a great expert in this field. I really appreciate his open and constructive mindset, which makes him an asset for any client."
"The professionalism, cooperation capabilities and ability to handle all aspects of the project is outstanding. Combined with insight and understanding of our firm from earlier engagements, this gives a very trustworthy and efficient advising."
Insight in a number of sectors
Michael has given advice within many sectors and industries, but has over the years worked particularly extensively within the areas of food and agriculture, infrastructure (transport, energy, IT and telecommunications, payment services), and R&D&I (research, development and innovation). Michael has also represented clients in a series of EU and state aid law cases involving taxes and levies.
Extensive academic activity
For a number of years, Michael has taught competition law, state aid law, EU procedural law (”EU law in practice”), and legal ethics at, among other places, the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Bar and Law Society.
Michael is a prolific author in the area of state aid law and regularly speaks at international conferences. Michael is also co-founder and deputy chairman of the Danish State Aid Law Association (danskforeningforstatsstoetteret.dk) and Academic Director with Lexxion (lexxion.de), where he has also been Managing Editor of the leading state aid law journal European State Aid Law Quarterly (estal.de).
Since 2002, Michael has served as international judge at the world’s largest EU law moot court competition, European Law Moot Court Competition (europeanlawmootcourt.eu).
Engagements and memberships in a number of associations, networks, and businesses
Michael is a board member for Dansk Europamission (forfulgtekristne.dk) and deputy chairman of the board of the Danish State Aid Law Association.
Michael is a member of the Connect Denmark network (connectdenmark.com). Connect Denmark helps entrepreneurs and businesses with business development. Michael also serves on a number of advisory boards and regularly provides pro bono advice to impact start-ups.
Languages
Michael advises in Danish, English and French. Michael is also happy to communicate in Italian, German, Swedish and Norwegian.
