Ms Christine Varney > Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP handles merger counselling mandates, both pre- and post-notification, for major corporates in the US and internationally, as well as representing clients throughout high-stakes regulatory actions and litigation relating to mergers, offering deep agency expertise and strong connections with the firm’s market-leading corporate practice. The team advises clients in a wide range of industries, and continues to see success in clearing deals in industries facing significant regulatory scrutiny, including a high-profile victory for Illumina against the FTC challenge to its acquisition by GRAIL, a standout development for practice head Christine Varney , a ‘world class strategist’ and former FTC Commissioner. Elsewhere in the team, Maggie Segall is praised by clients as a ‘superstar’ and is prolific in securing clearances for high-value mergers, as well as advising clients on government investigations, while former FTC official Daniel Zach has great experience of merger litigation and successfully represented Louis Dreyfus Company against the DOJ’s challenge to the sale of subsidiary Imperial Sugar to US Sugar. Former FTC Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips joined the firm as co-head of the antitrust practice in late 2022, expanding its regulatory expertise and resident in the firm’s Washington DC office. Lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP has a full service global antitrust offering, with extensive experience acting as defense counsel in bet-the-company and multijurisdictional litigation concerning consumer class action and single plaintiff suits, as well as government enforcement actions. ‘World-class strategist’ Christine Varney chairs the antitrust practice. Gary Bornstein focuses on commercial disputes primarily antitrust, M&A and securities litigation with recent work involving allegations of anticompetitive behavior in the distribution of mobile apps and the modem chipsets business. Kevin Orsini has significant trial and lead counsel experience in class actions. Evan Chesler is recognized for his appearance in numerous cases in the federal and state courts across the country, representing clients in government and internal investigations related to the technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and financial services sectors. Peter Barbur handles large and significant cases, including the successful dismissal for American Express of a civil lawsuit alleging provisions in its merchant agreements violated antitrust laws. All the above-mentioned counsel are based in New York. Former FTC Commissioner, Noah Joshua Phillips, joined the firm’s Washington DC office in October 2022. Katherine Forrest departed from the firm in January 2023.