Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP remains a leading team for cartel defense work, representing major US and multinational companies in investigations and high-stakes litigation both in the US and internationally. The firm offers a deep and experienced bench with past agency expertise, able to represent clients before the DOJ, FTC, state bodies, and international antitrust enforcers, with the practice’s international expertise exemplified by the role of Scott Hammond and Jeremy Robison as bridge counsel to multinational companies facing multi-jurisdictional investigations. Alongside its long-standing strength in media and entertainment, the firm is also active in a number of highly-scrutinised industries, particularly tech, food and semiconductors, notably representing Broadcom in the FTC investigation into its business practices, led by practice co-head Stephen Weissman. Co-head Rachel Brass successfully defended Barnes & Noble against two cases alleging unfair pricing, reflecting their strength in dismissing cartel allegations at and before trial. Richard Parker is another active litigator, handling trials and enforcement actions, while Cynthia Richman is a key name in the team for international cartel and antitrust-related grand jury investigations by the DOJ and international authorities. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

The team at Hogan Lovells US LLP represents multinational clients in major cartel proceedings, including civil and criminal cases, litigation before US and international antitrust enforcers, and government investigations. The firm has represented clients in major life sciences, technology and automotives cases, among others, and leverages the agency expertise of its senior team and the firm’s international platform to effectively handle global investigations. Former DOJ official Katie Hellings leads the team, handling major cartel investigations in the US and South America, and has been involved in some of the US’ first cartel investigations into so-called ‘no poach’ agreements, a developing area. Daniel Shulak was promoted to counsel in January 2022 and represents clients through internal and criminal investigations as well as follow-on proceedings. Senior associate Melissa Levitt has a broad practice encompassing civil and criminal cartel proceedings, internal investigations, and both federal and state-level litigation. All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC.

Latham & Watkins LLP is a leading name in cartel defense, leveraging its global platform and deep governmental relationships for civil and criminal cartel litigation, as well as government investigations and follow-on enforcement proceedings, including high-profile representations of StarKist in the DOJ’s criminal investigation into the tuna canning industry, and Square and CashApp in the ongoing investigation relating to so-called “meme stocks”. The team is led by antitrust head Amanda Reeves in Washington DC and San Francisco-based vice chair Belinda Lee, an experienced litigator with a strong record across civil and criminal cartel litigation and follow-on proceedings before global regulators and courts. Also in San Francisco, Niall Lynch represents multinationals and their managers in criminal and civil price-fixing investigations globally, while New York’s Elizabeth Prewitt is particularly known for her expertise in complex financial services cartel investigations. Ashley Bauer in San Francisco handles federal and state antitrust investigations and civil litigation, regularly acting as global co-ordinating counsel for multijurisdictional cases.

The team at White & Case LLP represents major domestic and multinational clients in high-stakes cartel proceedings and litigation, with a successful record in disposing civil and criminal cartel claims in court or on appeal, as well as handling investigations by the FTC, DOJ and international competition authorities. The firm is involved in the full range of US and global cartel cases in key areas such as auto parts, financial services and LCDs, to name a few, and is able to draw upon a broad range of sector and multijurisdictional expertise, regularly representing clients that fall outside of US jurisdiction. An extensive team is headed by Mark Gidley, a hugely experienced practitioner who has seen great success in cartel trials both in the US and internationally, who is currently representing Itron in cartel proceedings brought against numerous water meter manufacturers initiated by the Italian Competition Authority, among other major cases. Peter Carney specializes in healthcare and pharma work, handling a wide range of global antitrust investigations and civil litigation on behalf of clients such as Gilead and AbbVie, while Christopher Curran is noted for his work on precedent-setting cartel cases, including the first-ever litigation of an amnesty agreement. New York’s Robert Milne is heavily active in the pharma and chemicals space, including representation of Pfizer and Sun Chemical in noted antitrust cases, while Frank Hogue is regularly involved in enforcement proceedings, and senior associate Adam Acosta continues to establish himself as a key player in complex cartel litigation. Attorneys are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

WilmerHale plays a leading role in high-profile civil and criminal cartel proceedings, representing corporate and individual clients in criminal trials, enforcement proceedings, and in government investigations, with a successful record in avoiding prosecutions and fines. The team includes former senior DOJ and governmental officials, and is able to represent clients in a wide range of industries on a multi-jurisdictional basis. Practice head Thomas Mueller is a vastly experienced practitioner with a strong focus on global cartel enforcement proceedings, encompassing litigation, leniency applications and non-prosecution agreements, successfully negotiating a 60% fine reduction for ELNA in the electronic capacitors investigation. Steven Cherry is also a leading figure in the field, and successfully defended DENSO as a private purchaser implicated in the In Re auto parts MDL. Experienced antitrust litigator Mark Ford has been highly active in the generic pharmaceuticals space, and has represented clients before the FTC and European Commission. LA-based Nana Wilberforce was promoted to partner in January 2022, and combines internal investigations and litigation expertise, with a particular focus on price-fixing investigations, assisting clients throughout cartel investigations and negotiating leniency agreements with authorities. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated. Heather Nyong’o left the firm.

Arnold & Porter represents a wide range of domestic and international clients in high-profile cartel proceedings, with involvements in large and complex investigations into auto parts, municipal bonds, air cargo, government procurement, and cathode ray tubes, among many others. The firm provides integrated support throughout government investigations through to criminal defense and follow-on civil enforcement proceedings, with a strong team offering significant DOJ and FTC expertise and boasting a strong record in securing positive outcomes for clients. The team is overseen by antitrust heads Debbie Feinstein and Jonathan Gleklen, while James Cooper is a standout cartel litigator, currently representing Yamashita Rubber Co. in the In Re auto parts investigation. Laura Shores is an experienced trial attorney and is particularly strong in the life sciences space, representing the likes of Sandoz and Bausch Health, while former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sonia Kuester Pfaffenroth specializes in complex monopolization and price fixing proceedings. Andre Geverola joined the firm in June 2021 having served as Director of Criminal Litigation at the Department of Justice, and specializes in criminal cartel litigation, risk mitigation, and compliance. All lawyers primarily practice in Washington DC.

Baker Botts L.L.P.‘s  ‘wonderful, hard working‘ team is heavily involved in a variety of high-profile cartel investigations, working on behalf of major corporates in criminal and civil proceedings, as well as handling investigations, internal compliance, and broader policy issues, with team members regularly contributing to thought leadership and ongoing legal debate in key emerging areas such as labor market issues, Big Tech and intellectual properties. The criminal cartel practice is primarily led by John Taladay, a leading figure in the space with a strong record in securing acquittals and leniency agreements for major clients, notably securing a DPA for Taro Pharmaceuticals in its case against the DOJ. Maureen Ohlhausen co-heads the practice and takes the lead on civil antitrust investigations, regularly representing clients in price-fixing and filing investigations, with a standout representation in 2021 being her work for Facebook and Google in the FTC’s Special 6(b) investigation into prior acquisitions by Big Tech companies. Taylor Owings joined the firm from the DOJ in June 2021, and has notable expertise in the interface between intellectual property and antitrust issues, a growing area of focus in cartel investigations. Erik Koons is leading the firm’s representation of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in the Southern District of New York, against allegations of unfair competition, while Stacy Turner handles civil and criminal cartel investigations, with expertise in a range of cartel defense strategies. All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC. Joseph Ostoyich  left the firm in April 2023.

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s global cartel offering represents corporate clients in criminal cartel litigation, as well as in government and regulatory investigations by European, US, UK and Asian authorities, with the firm’s US-based litigators working closely with the global offering to co-ordinate multi-jurisdictional responses to cartel proceedings and enforcement actions. With a broad range of sector expertise, the team handles investigations in key sectors, with particularly notable involvements in the insurance and pharma spaces. Former DOJ prosecutor Lisa Tenorio-Kutzkey leads the team from San Francisco, and has a strong reputation in both criminal cartel litigation and associated investigations, as well as regularly successfully negotiating with regulatory agencies to avoid prosecution of clients. Los Angeles’ John Gibson is an experienced trial lawyer who has represented clients in criminal antitrust proceedings, while Houston’s Allissa Pollard takes point on corporate investigations across a number of Latin American jurisdictions. Chicago-based Michael Mayer represents clients in government investigations and private litigation into price-fixing, monopolization and vertical/horizontal agreements.

Jones Day combines corporate and individual representation in criminal cartel litigation, including high-stakes proceedings in rail, semiconductors and capacitors investigations, with a strong record in civil cartel investigations and follow-on enforcement proceedings of national and international significance. The firm fields an experienced team with DOJ and FTC experience, overseen by San Francisco-based antitrust head Craig Waldman. Also in California, Eric Enson is strong across jury trials and DOJ investigations into alleged cartel conduct, while in Washington DC, former Deputy Associate Attorney General Julie McEvoy is a specialist antitrust litigator with extensive experience in civil and criminal antitrust matters, conducting and resolving investigations, and defending clients against civil litigation brought by federal agencies. Also in DC, John Majoras is a go-to counsel for multinational companies facing international cartel investigations and litigation.

Offering significant agency experience, the team at Kirkland & Ellis LLP is adept in representing clients in a broad range of industries throughout government cartel investigations and associated litigation, with a focus on price-fixing, monopolization, generic drugs and intellectual property. The firm represents parties in key cartel investigations, most notably acting for AbbVie in ongoing FTC litigation relating to anticompetitive conduct in the generics space, and also has notable capabilities in cartel investigations into private equity portfolio companies, assisting many of the firm’s leading PE fund clients. Senior names in the team include the experienced Chicago-based duo of James Mutchnik, a go-to counsel for government and internal investigations, international cartel litigation, and criminal proceedings arising from cartel allegations, and Daniel Laytin, a specialist litigator regularly involved in civil and criminal cartel cases. The team’s expertise in media and telecoms work was bolstered by the arrival of Scott Scheele, who joined the Washington DC office in December 2021, having served as head of the Antitrust Division’s Media, Entertainment and Communications Section.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is involved in a wide range of global cartel investigations and enforcement actions, representing a bevy of high-profile corporate clients before both the DOJ and FTC as well as international antitrust agencies. The team has considerable in-house enforcement and industry-specific expertise, representing clients throughout cartel investigations in the automotive, electronics (including superconductors), healthcare, pharmaceuticals and energy sectors, enjoying a particularly successful record in litigation. Washington DC-based Clayton Everett Jr heads up the cartel investigations team, and handles civil and criminal cartel and non-merger investigations by the DOJ and FTC, securing immunity and leniency for a number of international clients, as well as successfully avoiding enforcement actions against clients in contexts where other parties were fined. Former federal and DOJ prosecutor Mark Krotoski in Silicon Valley is an authority on cartel enforcement and is an active defense counsel in litigation as well as co-ordinating responses to investigations, while Boston-based Daniel Savrin specializes in consumer protection issues, and regularly represents clients against civil and criminal cartel actions at state and federal level. Scott Stempel retired from the firm in December 2021.

Morrison Foerster takes the lead on major technology, healthcare, and financial services sector investigations, acting on behalf of domestic and international clients, both corporate and individual, with a particular specialism in acting for Japanese clients facing DOJ and FTC scrutiny over cartel activity. The team is regularly sought out by clients for its considerable in-house experience, exemplified by practice co-chair Lisa Phelan‘s lengthy tenure as a senior DOJ Antitrust Division enforcer, during which time she played a key role in pharmaceutical and proteins sector investigations, and continues to lead on major sectoral investigations. Alongside support in investigations, encompassing compliance and responses to regulatory scrutiny, the team also regularly represents clients in civil and criminal litigation. The practice was further bolstered by the arrival of co-head Alex Okuliar, a specialist in civil enforcement, and David Shaw, both joining from the DOJ Antitrust Division. San Francisco-based Eliot Adelson regularly handles cross-border investigations, and is lead counsel to Murata Manufacturing in a price-fixing investigation by the DOJ, while Megan Gerking is recognised as an up-and-coming name in the market, primarily working with healthcare and energy companies, such as Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, on cartel investigations. Also in San Francisco, Bonnie Lau is an active litigator, regularly defending clients in antitrust trials and handling counterclaims. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated. Jonathan Gowdy  has left the firm.

The team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP includes a number of former senior DOJ antitrust officials and leading trial lawyers, and handles a combination of major government investigations, alongside civil and criminal litigation relating to cartel activity and follow-on damages, with a highly successful record in acting for blue-chip corporates as well as individuals. The firm is a powerhouse in the financial services industry, and has also handled high-profile bid-rigging and price-fixing investigations for clients in the energy, technology and manufacturing sectors on a global basis, representing clients against DOJ and FTC investigations as well as before the European Commission and other international antitrust enforcers. The team is led by Andrew C. Finch and Aidan Synnott, a vastly experienced duo who regularly handle complex multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigations and litigation. Also of note are Joseph Bial, who acts for clients in high-stakes civil and criminal cartel proceedings, currently representing Nippon Chemi-Con in an ongoing grand jury trial relating to price-fixing, and sought-after litigator Kenneth A. Gallo, a go-to for bench trials, regulatory investigations, and private litigation for marquee clients. In March 2022, Rick Rule left the Washington DC office to found his own firm.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is active in major new and ongoing antitrust investigations, working with clients across highly scrutinised industries including fintech, financial services, proteins and healthcare, on DOJ and FTC investigations into cartel activity, also regularly representing clients in litigation and against enforcement proceedings. Specific strengths for the firm include global compliance programs and internal investigations, inspections and dawn raids support, and most notably leniency applications, which the team has a successful record in. The practice is overseen by Washington DC-based John Terzaken, whose expertise spans market sector investigations and litigation in all major industries, including standout representations in the financial services and fintech spaces, and Sara Razi, who handles cartel investigations and merger-related antitrust questions alongside civil enforcement, alongside New York’s Peter Guryan, who combines litigation and investigations expertise. DC’s Jeffrey Knox is another high-profile practitioner who represents multinationals and their executives in high-profile and high-stakes investigations, marrying his experience in the cartel space to his strong record in white-collar criminal cases. Also in DC, Abram Ellis is a leader in the field of follow-on cartel damages litigation.

Winston & Strawn LLP has a highly successful record in cartel litigation, defending a wide range of clients in trials and enforcement proceedings relating to cartel activity, including high-profile representations in the auto parts, broiler chicken, and lithium ion batteries investigations. The firm represents companies and executives in government investigations and criminal proceedings, and has further developed its offering with a number of labour market cases, mostly notably relating to no-poach agreements. The practice is led from New York by Jeffrey Kessler, an experienced litigator who has argued in high-profile antitrust cases up to Supreme Court level, most notably leading the team arguing the Alston v NCAA case, which was ruled on in June 2021, and has broad expertise across international cartel litigation, alongside Eva Cole, who is focused on international cartel investigations, acting for clients in a variety of jurisdictions, and led on the firm’s successful representation of the Bearings defendants in the auto parts cartel investigation. Chicago’s Jim Herbison has played a key role in cases in the broiler chicken sector, while Washington DC-based Heather Lamberg is active across government and internal investigations, regularly appearing against the FTC and DOJ. New York’s Jeffrey Amato has handled government investigations in numerous jurisdictions across Latin America and Asia, and also played a key role in litigation relating to the lithium ion batteries investigation, representing Panasonic.

Linklaters LLP plays a key role in global cartel investigations, leveraging its international platform to represent high-profile clients in areas including pharma, technology and financial services. The team is led by Tom McGrath, and offers experience from former DOJ and FTC officials, most notably former Antitrust Division prosecutor Douglas Tween, who takes the lead on cartel matters, handling regulatory investigations and parallel civil litigation for clients in a broad range of industries, having represented clients in a number of federal trials as well as in internal investigations into cartel activity. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Ropes & Gray LLP strengthened its investigations practice with the arrival of Samer Musallam from the DOJ Antitrust Division in January 2021. The team handles the full range of matters for corporate clients, encompassing internal investigations into suspected anti-competitive behaviour, representation in cartel investigations and enforcement proceedings, and follow-on damages litigation. The firm acts for companies and their executives, with particular strength in the tech and financial services sectors, and also leverages its international reach for cross-border investigations. The team is led by New York-based Michael McGovern, who focuses on high-stakes criminal defense proceedings, alongside Washington DC’s Mark Popofsky. The firm also has a strong office presence in Boston.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has a successful record in cartel defense litigation, representing corporate and individual clients in civil and criminal proceedings against the DOJ, as well as opt-out and state Attorney General cases. The primarily West Coast-based team has a strong focus on the electronics sector, representing a wide range of major clients including Samsung, and also has expertise in the petrol, cybersecurity and essential patents space. Practice head Mike Scarborough represents Samsung and its subsidiaries in a number of high-profile cases, including relating to lithium ion batteries, while Washington DC-based Michael Cohen is active in cartel defense proceedings, most notably at present for executives at Reynolds & Reynolds in the tuna canning cartel investigation. Also in DC, Leo Caseria has broad sector expertise and is also regularly involved in international cartel proceedings. Dylan Ballard handles civil and criminal litigation, and was involved in several of the cases for Samsung Electronics. Lawyers are in San Francisco unless otherwise stated.

Vinson & Elkins LLP represents clients in a broad range of industries, including tech, pharma, airline and chemicals, with notable strength in handling cross-border civil and criminal cartel proceedings, with standout international representations of Wanhua and Hitachi in FTC and DOJ cartel investigations. The firm offers significant agency expertise through a number of former DOJ and FTC officials, and has broad geographical reach with particular strength in Washington DC, Texas, and California. Alden Atkins has been particularly active in the airline space during 2021, representing Southwest Airlines in the ongoing DOJ investigation into airline capacity, and AirTran in a multi-district case relating to bag fees, cases that Houston-based Jason Powers is also playing a key role in. The team is led by Darren Tucker, a specialist in DOJ and FTC proceedings in the technology, energy and pharma sectors, while Hill Wellford takes the lead on governmental investigations within the US and internationally. Brian Schnapp is a specialist in representing multinational companies in cartel and price-fixing investigations, with Lindsey Vaala also a key name for global cartel defense. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Allen & Overy LLP handles cartel investigations in a variety of key sectors, including involvements in ongoing proceedings relating to the auto parts, seafood and poultry sectors, alongside a growing focus on the fintech space, combining domestic and international expertise across litigation and enforcement proceedings. The firm regularly represents businesses in litigation against the FTC, DOJ and state attorney generals, as well as handling compliance advisory and investigations matters. The team bolstered its capabilities with the arrival of Noah Brumfield as practice co-head from White & Case LLP, who has a strong record in the tech space, and cross-border specialist Hugh Hollman‘s arrival from Aramco.  All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC. John Roberti left the firm in March 2022.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP represents domestic and international companies, as well as individuals, in DOJ investigations and proceedings relating to anti-competitive behaviour, with broad sector expertise including media and entertainment, electronics, and pharma. The Washington DC-based team includes a number of former DOJ officials, including practice head William J. Kolasky, former deputy assistant attorney general at the Antitrust Division, and former prosecutor Philip Giordano. Robert B. Bell is another key name in the team, with all key members offering significant experience in civil and criminal antitrust proceedings.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP represents clients in a broad range of cartel defense proceedings, including litigation brought by the FTC, DOJ and international antitrust bodies, as well as handling regulatory investigations and follow-on civil damages claims. The firm has a long-standing strength in the healthcare section, handling cartel cases in the highly-scrutinized generic pharmaceuticals space, and also represents clients in other investigations of note, including the international auto parts cartel, and the ongoing investigation into no-poach agreements. The team is led by Ray Jacobsen, a vastly experienced antitrust counsel with a success record in litigation, while Gordon Greenberg is a key name for civil and criminal government investigations.

McGuireWoods LLP works across the full range of cartel matters, representing clients in criminal and civil defense proceedings and government investigations, alongside co-ordinating internal compliance and communication policies. The team has a particularly strong record in securing favorable decisions under the DOJ Antitrust Division’s Leniency Program. Clients include public and private companies in a variety of industries, as well as individual executives. Amy Manning leads the team, representing domestic and international companies in DOJ investigations and criminal proceedings, as well as advising on compliance programs. Angelo Russo is active on behalf of clients in government enforcement and private cartel litigation cases, while Sarah Zielinski specializes in antitrust and consumer protection litigation, with a notable capability in pricing issues. All lawyers mentioned are in Chicago.

Miller & Chevalier Chartered is active in high-profile, long-running cartel investigations, both civil and criminal, with standout representations of executives in the chicken broiler and construction aggregate sectors, and has increased its involvement in the generic drugs investigation, representing a growing number of involved parties. The firm has a successful record in defending clients before the DOJ, and also has standout expertise in cross-border cases. The DC-based team is led by Kirby Behre, a vastly experienced litigator who regularly defends clients accused of cartel activity in court, and Lauren Briggerman, who focuses on investigations across a variety of industry sectors, most notably proceedings with international elements.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has standout expertise in technology antitrust cases, representing major sector clients such as Microsoft and Zillow in high-profile cases before the DOJ and FTC. Most notably, the firm represents Microsoft in the DOJ’s lawsuit alleging anticompetitive behaviour by Google, led by experienced first chair and practice head Jay Jurata and up-and-coming antitrust litigator Amy Ray. The team offers in-house enforcement expertise, primarily through former DOJ Networks and Technology lead James Tierney, and also represents clients in other key market sectors including consumer electronics and automotives. All lawyers are in Washington DC.

Shearman & Sterling LLP represents clients in international cartel investigations across a number of targeted sectors, including high-profile investigations by the European Commission and DOJ in areas such as interbank rates, auto parts and capacitors manufacturing. The practice represents international companies as well as individuals accused of cartel activity in their roles as executives, and offers significant strength within the financial services sector. The team is led by Washington DC-based David Higbee and Djordje Petkoski, who represent clients in cartel proceedings as well as handling cross-border compliance investigations, alongside San Francisco’s Patrick Robbins, a specialist in individual criminal cartel defense litigation with a successful record in securing acquittals for clients.