John Taladay > Baker Botts L.L.P. > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s Washington DC-based antitrust and competition law department is well regarded for its knowledge of the pharmaceutical, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and TMT segments, and offers niche expertise in advising multinational online technology companies on topics such as FTC privacy order compliance. Praised by clients for providing ‘remarkably strategic, timely and thoughtful advice’, John Taladay leads the team and regularly acts in proceedings with involvement of the FTC, DOJ Antitrust Division and the European Commission with noteworthy capabilities in advising on allegations of price fixing, bid rigging, market allocation and unfair trade practices. Erik Koons’ practice extends to bet-the-company antitrust litigation and the whole gamut of related claims, including those related to tying, bundling and monopolization. Former co-head Maureen Ohlhausen and Taylor Owings left the firm in January 2024, while Joseph Ostoyich departed in April 2023.

Highly regarded for its strong track record advising defendants in large class actions in the life sciences and manufacturing sectors, the antitrust and competition practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. has recently seen an increase in activity relating to algorithmic price-fixing cases in the real estate industry. John Taladay heads the practice and is a seasoned antitrust specialist with an emphasis on merger clearances, bid-rigging, price-fixing, market allocation, and unfair trade practices, particularly in the pharma sector. Paul Cuomo focuses his practice on multijurisdictional merger reviews and litigation, while James Kress takes point on competitor-on-competitor disputes and has a notable track record advising on class certification issues. Erik Koons regularly represents clients in bet-the-company litigations spanning the full range of antitrust issues with a particular focus on price-fixing, market allocation, and monopolization; Koons also co-chairs the firm’s antitrust consumer products sub-group. Christopher Wilson was promoted to partner in March 2023 and focuses on the intersection of IP and antitrust work for clients in the telecoms, manufacturing, healthcare, and pharma sectors. All mentioned individuals are based in Washington DC. Maureen Ohlhausen left the practice in January 2024.

Routinely involved in high-stakes mergers and merger-related litigation, Baker Botts L.L.P. continues to work for leading clients across the energy, tech, and pharma industries, representing them in DOJ and FTC investigations. Lauded for its ability to provide ‘cutting-edge advice’, the team possesses strong multijurisdictional capabilities, frequently collaborating with European teams on a host of business-critical mandates. Global antitrust chair John Taladay continues to enjoy success in major deal clearances, appearing frequently before the FTC and DOJ, as well as international antitrust enforcers. Mark Botti, praised as a ‘trusted advisor’, is noted for his ability to secure clearances for high-value mergers, as well as advising clients on government investigations, while Paul Cuomo is experienced in merger-related litigation. Matthew Adler is a key port of call for clients in the healthcare, chemicals, entertainment and energy sectors, providing specialist guidance on merger clearance matters and litigation. Former practice co-chair Maureen Ohlhausen has departed the firm.