Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP's practice is centered on defence work across litigation, merger control, and government investigations, with a concentration of lawyers who previously held roles at US competition authorities. The practice covers defense against cartel allegations, monopolization claims, pricing and price-discrimination disputes, unfair competition, IP-related antitrust issues, and merger-related litigation. A portion of the group’s work involves defending transactions before the DOJ, FTC, European Commission, and state attorneys general, alongside defending companies and individuals in civil and criminal antitrust investigations. The practice includes senior figures such as Daniel Laytin, a Chicago-based litigation partner focused on antitrust defense, and Devora Allon, a New York partner with trial experience in antitrust and commercial disputes. Christa Cottrell, based in Chicago, acts in antitrust and commercial litigation. Olivia Adendorff, practicing in Dallas and Washington, DC, focuses on antitrust defense in regulatory investigations and class actions, while Catie Ventura, based in Washington, DC, advises on antitrust litigation and merger-related competition issues. Recent changes include the retirement of James Mutchnik in February 2025.