William Baer is revered as a giant of the antitrust field. He advises a broad range of clients, and is widely respected for his expertise in cartel investigations.

Deborah Feinstein recently led the group's representation of BASF in its USD3.8 billion acquisition of Cognis, and represented GE in its acquisition of Dresser.

Robert Pitofsky is a former chairman of the FTC. He is a counsel with the group, and clients continue to benefit from his vast expertise. 

George Cary undertakes a broad range of M&A, litigation and government investigation work. Clients value working with a "great litigator who is equally adept at the regulatory and the litigation." Peers concur that he "has that rare ability to cut across forums – he's equally as good in the courtroom as in the conference room." He served as antitrust counsel to Deutsche Telekom on its proposed USD39 billion sale of T-Mobile USA. 

David Gelfand receives near universal praise from clients and peers alike. Clients are impressed that he "knows our business inside out, is creative in looking for solutions to our problems, and is a refreshing antidote to the typical overly conservative counsel we've received elsewhere." Peers are quick to acknowledge Gelfand as "a formidable antitrust lawyer. It's a challenge going against him – you have to drink your coffee in the morning!"

Mark Leddy is the firm's managing partner, and is now skilfully juggling his management responsibilities with a full-time antitrust practice. Clients are especially impressed, saying that in addition to the complete command of antitrust law one expects of a top-flight attorney, he also delivers top-tier client service: "He's incredibly hard-working, responsive, thorough, always timely – we've been really impressed with his attention to service."

The practice is renowned for its strengths in European competition law, particularly in Belgium, which is spearheaded by Leddy, alongside much sought EU experts Mark Nelson and Brian Byrne.

James Modrall is based in the firm's Brussels office and receives positive reviews from clients for his ability to handle competition matters in both the EU and the USA. He is especially noted for his merger control expertise.

Gary Spratling is widely considered to be the founding father of cartel work, and this "obviously fantastic attorney is a clear first choice if you have cartel issues." He represented Micron Technology in the DOJ's criminal proceedings in the DRAM industry. He also recently represented UBS in defending various class actions related to the investigation into the possible manipulation of LIBOR rates. 

Daniel Swanson has an especially strong reputation for working within the media and entertainment industry, with prominent clients such as Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures and DreamWorks Animation. He is highly regarded for his expertise as a trial lawyer, and peers are swift to praise him as a lawyer who manages to be "both a complete gentleman and a completely dedicated and unrelenting opponent."

Joseph Kattan is lauded by clients as "a thoughtful and indefatigable lawyer, a super-smart outstanding legal analyst." He receives rave reviews from a variety of sources, with in-house lawyers particularly fulsome in their praise for an antitrust attorney who "brings absolutely encyclopaedic knowledge to the file – he has fingertip access to the legal minutiae and has a profound understanding of their implications."

Joel Sanders is a veteran litigator who has an extensive track record in handling antitrust cases. He is seen as a go-to for class action cases, and for government investigations and antitrust counselling. He is the lead counsel for Micron Technology, the world's second largest producer of computer memory components, in the DRAM antitrust litigation.

Robert Cooper is "undoubtedly one of the best trial lawyers around." A vastly experienced attorney, he has a fantastic track record in antitrust and business tort litigation. He co-chairs the firm's antitrust practice group.

Joe Sims is "quite clearly one of the best" antitrust practitioners in the market. As one source summarised: "He's incredibly practical, his advice is always clear, and he has that judgement that you only get from having done this for 30-plus years." He has particular expertise in advising on the antitrust elements of M&A transactions, and has been involved in some of the market's most prominent transactions. He recently advised ABB on its acquisition of Baldor Electric Company. 

Jeffrey LeVee is a highly rated antitrust litigator whom client sources cannot praise highly enough: "He's extraordinary; he's never lost a law suit for us – and that's because he's clear-headed, very sharp, able to assess technical and commercial facts quickly and he leads his team well." He heads the firm's California antitrust team and assists clients from a broad range of industries, including healthcare, pharmaceutical, retail, telecoms and technology. He has a long-standing relationship with ICANN and has defended all litigation and adversary proceedings brought against the company since its formation in 1998.

Phillip Proger is chair of the firm's global antitrust practice group. He is especially highly regarded for his work in the pharmaceutical sector, and recently represented Bayer in antitrust litigation stemming from a patent settlement concerning the client's Cipro antibiotic. Peers state that "for work in healthcare and the pharmaceutical area, he's a top choice." 

Michael Sennett is praised for his tremendous expertise. Interviewees say: "You will not find anyone else with a better understanding of the FTC, or who has a better understanding of what needs to be done on all aspects of antitrust." Clients were also quick to praise his commercial approach.

Kevin Arquit has steadily built an enviable reputation in this area, with commentators observing: "When it comes to antitrust, he's in the major leagues." His antitrust practice encompasses transactional, litigation and broader counselling issues. Clients appreciate his strengths as a "talented business lawyer and phenomenal communicator."

David Vann is based in the firm's London office and is a first port of call there for clients on competition litigation and investigations. He is also admitted to practice in New York, lending clients his experience of making representations before the DOJ, the FTC and a host of state and federal courts.

John Nannes has "a phenomenal antitrust resume," having previously served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Acting Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ's antitrust division before rejoining Skadden Arps in 2001. Sources note that he is "really fantastic on the regulatory aspects of mergers and joint ventures," and clients are keen to salute his ability to work effectively with everyone involved in deals: "He can talk to attorneys on complex issues, and then switch gears and explain the same details clearly to businessmen."

Clifford Aronson is one of the group's leading antitrust practitioners, and is currently representing Amylin Pharmaceuticals in an antitrust suit against Eli Lilly. He earns considerable plaudits from sources, who say: "He has a perspective which is not only steeped in the antitrust discipline, but also has an economic and commercial angle."

Steven Sunshine leads the North American antitrust group for Skadden. He has had a commanding year, which peers believe "will surely have opened the eyes of clients around the country." One key highlight was his work for Sprint in a private antitrust action opposing AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile USA. Sunshine receives vast praise from a range of sources, who note that "he brings a fantastic perspective – he's able to step above the details and see the big picture; he understands the economic issues completely."

Benjamin Crisman maintains a broad practice that encompasses antitrust, trade regulation and white-collar crime issues. He recently acted alongside Sunshine on the regulatory side of the USD4.3 billion sale of Diversey Holdings to Sealed Air Corporation.

Evan Chesler is the firm's presiding partner. His practice encompasses a broad range of litigation, including securities, IP, general commercial disputes and antitrust. Sources say he is a "phenomenal trial lawyer – one of the best in the business." He recently led the group's representation of American Express in several antitrust litigations.

Experienced litigator Arthur Golden has a clear antitrust focus. He represents major corporations in relation to acquisitions and both antitrust counselling and litigation. He is "a tremendous lawyer, superior in ability and client service, and hugely personable." He recently advised Emerson Electric Acquisitions on the corporate and antitrust aspects of acquiring Chloride Group.

Ronan Harty advises antitrust clients on transactions, litigation and enforcement agency investigations. "He has such a good grasp of how our business works – he has an intuitive ability to analyse things, and to pick out the crucial details," say clients.

Michael Sohn is an experienced antitrust practitioner valued by clients for the breadth of his expertise. He was central to the firm's recent representation of Comcast in the DOJ investigation into its agreement with GE to form a joint venture that would also involve NBCUniversal. "He knows exactly how to get us from point A to point B," enthused one client.

Daniel Wall garners universal acclaim from the market. "A phenomenal lawyer," he is distinguished by both the breadth and depth of his antitrust coverage and by the calibre of matters he undertakes. He is representing Apple in a putative class action concerning the iPhone.

Margaret Zwisler co-chairs the firm's global antitrust group. She has over 30 years of litigation experience, and sources commend her as "an outstanding litigator, from both a strategic and an execution point of view." She twice won a motion to dismiss an antitrust class action complaint on behalf of Time Warner Cable.

Michael Egge divides his time between the Brussels and Washington, DC offices. He co-chairs the firm's global competition practice and has vast international experience, both in private practice and in-house.

Antitrust practice group co-chair Yvonne Quinn focuses on antitrust litigation, counselling and merger review work. Clients value her ability to "understand the business imperative and translate the legal requirements in a way which accommodates our goals." She recently advised Bank of Montreal on its high-profile USD4.1 billion acquisition of Marshall & Illsley.

Ilene Gotts is one of the key drawcards of the antitrust team. Clients and peers alike laud her as "a superstar antitrust practitioner," noting that "she's almost unparalleled in M&A antitrust issues." She recently worked with AMB Property on its merger with Prologis.

Michael Byowitz is an antitrust specialist who focuses on advising major corporations on significant domestic and international M&A. He represented Novartis in its acquisition of Alcon.

Thomas Barnett co-chairs the firmwide antitrust and consumer law practice group. He receives particular praise from clients, who rate him as "one of the most skilled antitrust advisers out there," explaining that "with Tom you get the experience, but also the practicality – we don't want endless briefings, we need someone who can help us with the issue, and help us move on as a company: that's exactly what Tom provides."

Deborah Garza co-chairs the group with Barnett. She brings a wealth of experience to bear for her clients, particularly as a result of her previous positions at the regulatory agencies. Clients are in awe of her commitment to service, noting that "she's in incredibly high demand, and in demand for incredibly important work – I have no idea how she manages to be as responsive as she is."

Paul Denis's practice encompasses antitrust assistance on transactions, government investigations and litigation. He brings a treasure trove of experience to the table, having previously served in the antitrust division and been the principal draftsman on the 1992 DOJ and FTC horizontal merger guidelines.

Janet McDavid is highly rated for her expertise in assisting clients with government investigations and antitrust litigation. McDavid was the lead partner in the team counselling Martek BioSciences on its USD1.1 billion acquisition by Royal DSM.

The "very talented" Timothy Muris is an experienced antitrust attorney who works with a broad range of clients from the hi-tech, energy and aviation industries.

James Mutchnik focuses on antitrust and white-collar defence issues. Sources speak of him in glowing terms as "one of the best lawyers in the antitrust litigation field," noting that "he's a great counsellor who inspires a high degree of confidence." He recently represented Bain Capital Partners in a putative nationwide class action.

Practice group chair Andrew Marovitz focuses on antitrust litigation and broader commercial disputes. He garners praise from commentators as "a fine lawyer with excellent judgement on tactical issues."

Joel Chefitz's personal practice is focused on antitrust litigation and merger defence work. Commentators say: "He doesn't just litigate antitrust cases, but has a broad range of expertise married to a great antitrust focus, so he brings to the table a genuine litigator's perspective as well as an antitrust perspective."

David Marx frequently impresses sources with his intellectual strength, with one commentator acknowledging that "he's simply off the chart smart, which gives us and the commercial guys so much confidence in him." His practice covers both antitrust litigation and counselling, and he is particularly highly regarded for his expertise in the healthcare sector.

Richard Parker is acknowledged by all corners of the market as a lawyer, who can both litigate and handle deals. He frequently represents clients before the DOJ and the FTC in mergers, criminal issues and conduct investigations. It is the litigation side of his practice which has drawn the most acclaim, however, with sources seeing the selection of a Richard Parker-led O'Melveny group as trial co-counsel to T-Mobile as a real testament to his status as a go-to antitrust litigator.

Steven Newborn is the leader of Weil's global antitrust practice group. He is a former director of litigation at the FTC's antitrust bureau, and clients are quick to highlight the benefits of working with an attorney of his considerable experience and pedigree. One source described him as an "antitrust strategist with an outstanding intellect who gets results and inspires confidence." Newborn works with a panoply of top-tier clients, including ExxonMobil, Staples, Walgreens and Johnson & Johnson.

Ann Malester recently worked alongside Newborn in counselling Johnson & Johnson on its proposed acquisition of Synthes. Clients are hugely impressed with her antitrust counsel: "She is outstanding – what she brings is that quality of being able to see around the corner on the transaction, and she has the right personality to deal with a stressful situation."

William Kolasky elicits praise for his advice on US antitrust matters with international applications.

Thomas Mueller currently co-chairs the firm's antitrust and competition practice. He remains an excellent choice of counsel for global cartel investigations, particularly those with transatlantic issues. While he principally operates from Washington, DC he also regularly handles matters from the firm's Brussels office.

Susan Creighton co-chairs the practice group, and remains one of the team's main drawcards. Sources describe her as "a really deep thinker in the antitrust field, especially for issues related to technology." She has been especially active on behalf of key client Google, recently representing it in an investigation of search and advertising by the FTC.

Jonathan Jacobson is highly regarded by market commentators, who are impressed by his "unbelievably intricate knowledge of the details and latest developments in antitrust law." He works with major corporations in significant antitrust litigation and investigations.

David Boies enjoys a reputation as “quite obviously one of the best trial lawyers in the country.” While antitrust is but one branch of his practice, his phenomenal trial experience and formidable advocacy continue to make him a top choice for high-stakes antitrust litigation.

Donald Flexner undertakes both merger counselling work and antitrust litigation with considerable aplomb. His drive and antitrust expertise are applauded by market commentators.

Commercial litigation team head Jeffrey Cashdan draws much praise for his "fine legal mind" and is particularly sought for his expertise in cartel-related cases.

Penelope Preovolos is held in high esteem by sources, who describe her as  "a superb all-round antitrust lawyer" and note her depth of expertise across the range of antitrust, product liability and class actions. She works with a broad spectrum of clients, although is perhaps best recognised for her work with clients in the electronics and technology sectors.

Dale Collins's practice is predominantly focused on defending M&A transactions and joint ventures before the government agencies. He is respected as a "dogged and determined opponent."

John Treece's practice is focused on antitrust, but extends to cover a range of commercial litigation. Sources note his considerable expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, having recently represented AstraZeneca in both individual actions and putative class actions. Clients describe him as "an outstanding lawyer and a great human being."

Mark Gidley is chair of the firm's global competition practice. He recently represented UK national Ian Norris, the former CEO of Morgan Crucible, in matters associated with his extradition by the US antitrust division. Ian Norris was the first foreign national ever extradited by the US antitrust division.

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