Dylan Ballard > Vinson & Elkins LLP > San Francisco, United States > Lawyer Profile

With a strong foothold in the chemicals, agriculture, and heavy industry sectors, Vinson & Elkins LLP’s antitrust practice stands out for its strong track record advising its clients in large multidistrict litigations and class actions. Key names in the team include practice co-head Craig Seebald, in Washington DC, who also co-heads the firm’s litigation and regulatory offering, and antitrust co-heads Hill Wellford, a former Antitrust Division trial lawyer, and Jason Powers, based in Washington DC and Houston, respectively. Seebald’s broad practice focuses on defending multinational corporations in cartel and price-fixing investigations and subsequent follow-on litigation, while Powers has particular expertise in the energy and oil and gas industries. Washington DC’s Stephen Medlock is a key contact for multidistrict class actions alleging monopolization and has notable experience acting on both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s sides. In San Francisco, Dylan Ballard and Mike Scarborough handle Sherman and Clayton Act cases and competitor-on-competitor litigation, respectively.

With considerable growth in recent years, Vinson & Elkins LLP is highlighted by clients for offering ‘years of experience and great teamwork’, and is well placed to handle a varied caseload for clients from industries such as technology, automotive, airline, financial services and transportation. Hill Wellford and Houston-based Jason Powers jointly head the group, with Wellford acting in many of the firm’s international mandates, and Powers offering a specialism in energy-related matters. Craig Seebald co-leads the firm’s litigation and regulatory practice, with his capabilities encompassing multijurisdictional cartel investigations and follow-on litigation. Darren Tucker specializes in investigations in the technology, energy and pharmaceutical sectors. In San Francisco, Michael Scarborough and Dylan Ballard are experienced trial lawyers, who frequently represent domestic and international clients in proceedings involving federal and state enforcement agencies. Unless stated otherwise, mentioned lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Fielding a strong team, praised for its ‘great expertise’, Vinson & Elkins LLP is routinely involved in complex and high-profile clearances across highly scrutinized sectors such as energy, tech, chemicals, and pharma. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Michael Scarborough and Dylan Ballard who have expanded the firm’s merger-related investigations and litigation work in San Francisco, while Kara Kuritz reinforces the firm’s DOJ and FTC expertise. As well as handling major US clearances, related investigations, and litigation, the firm is also adept at handling cross-border mandates. Co-head Hill Wellford handles HSR filings, government investigations, and litigation for clients in a range of industries, while fellow co-head Jason Powers specializes in energy related litigation. Darren Tucker regularly handles transactions in the tech, energy, and pharma sectors, and counsel Evan Miller is noted for his expertise in government investigations, HSR filings, and civil litigation.