Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider
114 WEST 47TH STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10036
NEW YORK
United States

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 2

Fielding a team of ‘responsive, aggressive, and very smart’ attorneys, Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider is well positioned to take on the gamut of antitrust defenses, including MDLs and treble-damage litigation arising out of price fixing and monopolization allegations, among others. Washington DC’s Michael Keeley leads the group, specializing in disputes that concern both antitrust and IP issues, such as patent jury cases, and is also sought after for representation in relation to monopolization. ‘Master strategist’ Rachel Adcox, also based in the capital, is adept at handling concurrent civil and criminal litigation, including treble-damage suits, while ‘stand-out trial lawyer’ Denise Plunkett is noted for her representation of payments and other financial services clients in antitrust litigation out of New York. Made partner in January 2024, Kail Jethmalani maintains a practice covering civil antitrust suits with defense of clients before the FTC and foreign competition regulators. DC-based Kenina Lee brings experience of FTC procedure relating to pharmaceutical sector mergers to the practice.

Practice head(s):

Michael Keeley

Testimonials

‘Axinn brings a deep bench of experienced practitioners who can handle any manner of antitrust representation. Axinn has seen every issue several times over and understands how to help clients efficiently navigate any litigation or investigation, or how to avoid them in the first instance through effective compliance counseling.’

‘Axinn’s attorneys are dedicated antitrust lawyers who understand every part of a case. In particular, Axinn attorneys are experts at deep-diving into the details of complex products and industries. Axinn has built a dedicated team to focus on our product and keep up to date with industry developments, making them valuable advisors from the earliest stages of product development through investigations and litigation.

‘They are experts at understanding how to leverage economic analyses to present the best case possible. This makes Axinn particularly valuable for advocacy and expert work in litigation.’

‘I found the team deeply knowledgeable, responsive and practical. I would use them again.’

‘The Axinn team has a deep knowledge of our business, forged from deep dives into our discovery record and collaboration with our business team. That knowledge is invaluable to witness preparation and trial strategy. The Axinn team also excels at client services. They are responsive and take care to listen to and understand the client’s perspective and concerns.’

‘The combination of a client-first attitude and knowledge of the facts and our business, coupled with their practical problem solving abilities, makes them pragmatic litigators.’

‘Axinn lawyers are responsive, aggressive, and very smart. Their teams are well managed, and they delegate effectively to an uncommonly strong group of associates.’

‘Top to bottom, the Axinn team has excellent lawyers. Rachel Adcox is a master strategist and a very effective relationship manager. Denise Plunkett is a stand-out trial lawyer who has a terrific bedside manner with clients. Kail Jethmalani is an outstanding antitrust lawyer who combines first-rate subject matter knowledge with strong litigation skills and excellent strategic judgment.’

Key clients

Tyson Foods, Inc.

Alvogen

Stanley Black & Decker

Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies

McKesson Corporation

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Google

Independence Health Group

Shintech Incorporated

Magnus Carlsen

Work highlights

  • Representing Tyson Foods in multiple major treble-damage class action litigations and regulatory investigations alleging industry-wide conspiracies to raise the prices of broiler chickens, pork, turkey, and beef, as well as a conspiracy to depress broiler grower pay.
  • Representing Alvogen in the Generic Drugs MDL in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, initiated in 2017 by 44 State Attorneys’ General and followed by a DOJ criminal antitrust investigation and multiple treble-damage class action suits.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 3

Highlighted by clients for offering ‘a deep bench of experienced practitioners’, boutique firm Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider is led by Michael Keeley and specializes in handling a multifaceted caseload of cartel matters before antitrust agencies around the globe, with particular strength in price-fixing investigations and niche expertise at the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property law. ‘Master strategist’ Tiffany Rider exemplifies the firm’s multifarious offering, with her practice encompassing the representation of corporates and individuals in proceedings before the DOJ, the European Commission and the Canadian Competition Bureau, while former DOJ official James Attridge 's caseload encompasses leniency applications, investigations related to allegations such as labor-market collusion, and internal investigations. All mentioned lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Practice head(s):

Michael L. Keeley

Other key lawyers:

Dan Oakes; James Attridge; Tiffany Rider; John Harkrider

 

Testimonials

‘Axinn’s cartel defense practice has a deep bench of experienced practitioners who can take on any type of representation. They defend companies and individuals in the most complex domestic and international investigations and have achieved great outcomes for clients. Their team includes practitioners with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including agency experience at all levels. ’

‘Jimmy Attridge is a top-tier cartel defense counsel who has represented both companies and senior executives before competition authorities in highly sensitive matters. Jimmy has significant experience as both a defense counsel and government prosecutor, which enables him to quickly assess the situation and recommend various options to a client for the path forward. ’

‘The team has an excellent blend of long defense experience, together with helpful recent government experience, that makes it fairly unique.’

‘I have worked closely with Tiffany Rider and Jimmy Attridge. Both are excellent and provide extraordinary client service.’

‘Axinn is one of the only firms that truly places antitrust front and center and truly positions itself as a thought leader in this space. ’

‘Tiffany Rider is a trusted partner and master strategist in cartel defense. Her judgment is impeccable and she is a joy to work with. ’

‘Axinn is involved in many large antitrust civil litigation and some DOJ criminal cartel matters. It has many top-notch litigators, including Tiffany Rider and Dan Oakes. ’

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

Offering significant agency experience, multijurisdictional capabilities, and a successful record in high-value, strategic merger clearances, specialist antitrust firm Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider is well-positioned to assist clients on both contentious and non-contentious merger work. The firm handles work in a wide range of industries, with notable involvements in tech, healthcare, and pharma. Practice head Michael Keeley is noted for his experience in defending litigated merger challenges, advising the likes of Tyson Foods and Thermo Fisher. In a standout representation for the firm, New York-based John Harkrider is representing VMware in its $69bn acquisition by Broadcom, a significant deal in the tech industry. The New York office is also home to Lisl Dunlop , noted for her strong international profile, and Nicholas Gaglio who is a go-to for investigations and merger-related litigation. Jeny Maier is also a key figure, with expertise in tech and healthcare mandates. Attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Michael Keeley

Other key lawyers:

John Harkrider; Nicholas Gaglio; Bradley Justus; Lisl Dunlop; James Attridge; Leslie Overton; Jeny Maier

Key clients

VMware

Ball Corporation

Cummins

McKesson Corporation

Tyson Foods

Ellucian Company L.P.

Work highlights

  • Representing VMware, Inc. in its USD $69 billion acquisition by Broadcom Inc., a global technology leader in semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions.
  • Eepresented Ball Corporation in the $5.6 billion sale of its aerospace division to BAE Systems.
  • Represented McKesson Corporation in its $875 million acquisition of Rx Savings Solutions, a prescription price transparency and benefit insight company.

Axinn combines the skills, experience and dedication of the world’s largest firms with the focus, responsiveness, efficiency and attention to client needs of the best boutiques. The firm was established in the late 1990s by lawyers from premier Wall Street firms with a common vision: provide the highest level of service and strategic acumen in antitrust, intellectual property and high-stakes litigation. Axinn’s lawyers have served as lead or co-lead counsel on more than half a trillion dollars in transactions and, in the last 10 years alone, have handled more than 500 litigations.

Photo Name Position Profile
Lisl Dunlop photo Lisl Dunlop Lisl Dunlop has 30 years of experience in antitrust and competition issues,…
John Harkrider photo John Harkrider John Harkrider was named GCR’s Lawyer of the Year and Litigator of…
Bradley Justus photo Bradley Justus Bradley Justus’s practice focuses on antitrust law, including antitrust litigation, mergers, government…
Daniel Oakes photo Mr Daniel Oakes Daniel Oakes’s practice focuses on criminal antitrust investigation, antitrust litigation, merger analysis,…
Denise Plunkett photo Denise Plunkett Denise Plunkett is a trial lawyer with more than 25 years of…
Craig Reiser photo Mr Craig Reiser Craig Reiser represents clients whose reputations are on the line in complex,…