Genevra Forwood
Genevra Forwood
Biography
Genevra Forwood is a leading adviser on contentious EU regulatory matters, with deep experience across a broad range of EU law areas and industry sectors, including digital platforms, manufacturing and consumer products. She is particularly recognised for her work on regulatory investigations and litigation involving EU law, regularly representing clients in high-profile litigation before the EU courts.
One particular area of focus concerns EU regulations impacting digital platforms, notably the Digital Services Act (DSA). Genevra is part of a market-leading practice advising Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) on all aspects of compliance, risk management and engagement with regulators both at national and EU level.
Genevra has a highly regarded EU contentious regulatory practice, advising clients on compliance matters as well as representing them in regulatory investigations, internal investigations, and crisis management situations. She has extensive experience handling disputes before EU courts, guiding clients through high-stakes litigation and enforcement actions. She is afrequently sought after for her practical, business-focussed advice and her ability to navigate regulatory risks with a strategic, EU law-driven approach.
More generally, Genevra advises on a wide range of EU regulatory compliance issues, including international sanctions, environmental laws, consumer protection laws, EU public procurement and State aid. She assists clients in navigating their own compliance obligations, drafts complaints to the European Commission regarding Member State non-compliance and supports clients during regulatory investigations and disputes involving an EU law dimension, whether at EU or national fora.
Experience
Advising several Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) on all aspects of compliance, risk management and enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA)
Meta Platforms Ireland Limited vs. Commission (first successful annulment action under the DSA, obtaining the annulment of the Year 1 Supervisory Fee Decision under the DSA)
Representing a multinational in proceedings before the EU's consumer law 'CPC-network' relating to 'green claims' and alleged non-compliance with EU consumer laws
Ioan Micula & Others v. Commission (representing the investors in landmark litigation before the General Court and ECJ Grand Chamber concerning the interactions between Investor-State arbitration and EU law)
Google Android (successfully represented Google before the General Court in its appeal against the European Commission's Android decision)
Front Polisario v. Council (representing Moroccan interests in the long-running litigation concerning EU-Morocco trade agreements and their application to Western Sahara)
WhatsApp vs. EDPB (Action against a Binding Decision of the EDPB finding non-compliance with the GDPR)
Eurofer v. Commission (annulment of Commission decision to terminate anti-dumping proceeding)
SAS v. Commission (successful annulment action of the EC's Airfreight decision and various related actions)
Mellifera v. Commission and TestBioTech v. Commission (Interventions in actions before the General Court and ECJ concerning the internal review mechanism under the Aarhus Regulation)
Nexans v. Commission (various actions before the General Court and the ECJ concerning to Commission dawn raid powers, publication of the EC's Decision and the EC's fining decision in Power Cables)
NC v. Commission (annulment of decision under EU Early Detection and Exclusion System)
Netherlands Maritime Technology v. Commission (EC State aid decision on the Spanish Tax Lease scheme)
1.garantovaná v. Commission (successful interim measures application in appeal of the EC's Calcium Carbide decision)
Forum 187 v. Commission (State aid rules and the Belgian fiscal scheme for Coordination Centres)
Leading Individual, Belgium: Environment, Legal 500 EMEA 2025
Awarded a Client Choice Award 2022 by Lexology
Named one of the 40 in their 40s Notable Women Competition Professionals in Europe, 2019
Future Leader: Competition, Who's Who Legal 2017, 2018, 2019
Shortlisted as Rising star: Litigation, Euromoney Women in Business Awards – Europe, 2017
"Latest ESG developments and their impact on M&A, as well as comments on latest US Tariffs", PwC M&A Network - Roundtable & Lunch, Stockholm, 11 April 2025
Panel speaker, "DSA enforcement & disinformation in a shifting digital order: challenges and strategies in 2025", organised by the CoEnnect Digital Society at the College of Europe, Bruges, 25 March 2025
"Legal implications of the EUDR", EUDR Connect Conference, Amsterdam, 3 December 2024
Panel speaker, "Sustainability and Resilience in global supply chains: discussing the new business realities in the context of EU policies and the global trading environment", organised by the Women in Trade Network Brussels, Brussels, 29 April 2024
"Trends in ESG Advertising Claims: What Advertisers Should Expect in the U.S. and in Cross-Border Campaigns", ANA Advertising Law 1-Day Conference, hosted by Katten Muchin Roseman LLP, 20 March 2024
"Navigating Climate Justice for a Sustainable Future", ELSA Benelux Conference, Brussels, 17 December 2023
"Navigating greenwashing risk in consumer advertising claims" Webinar, Lexology Masterclass, 11 December 2023
"TDI Yearly 2023: Key developments in the EU's trade defence policy of the year 2023", organised by the 3E Research Centre of the Brussels School of Governance, Brussels, 9 November 2023
Panel speaker, "Sanctions", ILA 150th Anniversary Conference, Paris, 20 June 2023
"A New Era of Sanctions: Taking Stock After One Year of Russian Sanctions", Transatlantic Legal Conference, Frankfurt, 17 March 2023
