Michael Keeley > Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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, including standout work for Google, 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.