The ‘well-rounded antitrust merger shop’ at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP works closely with colleagues in the firm’s litigation and corporate departments across the U.S. and Europe, representing clients in complex, high profile antitrust investigations, litigation, and arbitration. Its merger control work is complemented by strength in cartels and government investigations, antitrust litigation, and risk management and compliance. Team head Barry Nigro works between Washington DC and New York, a former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and ‘leading expert in the US’ whose practice spans the consumer products, agriculture, transportation, retail, tech, and healthcare sectors. In New York, Aleksandr Livshits has notable expertise in the cybersecurity and software sectors, and Lexi Michaud regularly assists clients with merger clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Nathaniel Asker departed the team in March 2025. Kathy O’Neill joined the team in March 2025, drawing on government experience to support clients in the airline, technology , and entertainment industries.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Fried Frank's merger control group is first-rate. They are very knowledgeable, easy to work with and efficient.’
‘We work most closely with partners Aleksandr Livshits, and Tobias Caspary. We've also worked with a lot of associates, and across the board, they are the best in the business. We would highly recommend them to anyone seeking excellent advice and efficient and successful merger work.’
‘I work with Barry Nigro. He's a leading expert in the US. He has substantial government experience and provides practical advice that takes into account our business objectives.’
‘Well-rounded antitrust merger shop.’
‘Barry Nigro is at the top of the market in the antitrust merger space. He has high-level government experience at both FTC and DOJ.’
Key clients
- Standard General
- Thoma Bravo
- Terex
- Viavi Solutions
- Broadcast Music Inc.
- Ascential
- Centers for Healthy Living
- BlackRock
- Simply Good Foods
- Melissa and Doug
Work highlights
Advising Terex in its proposed USD 2 billion acquisition of the Environmental Solutions Group business of Dover, a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider.
Advising Thoma Bravo in its approximately USD 5.3 billion acquisition of UK-headquartered Darktrace.
Representing Standard General in connection with its proposed USD 4.6 billion acquisition of gaming company Bally’s.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Barry Nigro
Other key lawyers
Aleksandr Livshits; Tobias Caspary; Lexi Michaud; Kathy O'Neill