An industry lawyer who has represented Philip Morris International (PMI) gained access to the highest echelons of the European Commission’s legal services at a time when the institution is set to redraft EU-wide tobacco rules.
An annual conference by the commission legal services held April last year does not disclose the names of its 1,347 participants.
But EUobserver can reveal, following a document access request, that Michel Petite of the Paris-based Clifford Chance law firm attended the 2025 conference as a VIP.
“As a former Director General of the Commission’s legal service, I expect they will regularly invite me at this annual event,” said Petite, in an email.
He also attended this year’s event but online.
