Antitrust: Texas

THE FIRM This high-profile team is noted for its skill in handling complex antitrust cases. Its reputation for litigation excellence is one of the factors that attracts prominent clients such as Shell Oil, El Paso, and Farmers Insurance. Commentators also highlight the team's strengths in handling both civil and criminal matters before the DOJ and the FTC. 

Sources say: "One of the leading Texas powers in antitrust."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Layne Kruse is viewed by peers as the driving force behind this top-notch team, and sources are quick to acknowledge that he is "the leader" and "a fine individual and a fine lawyer." He is recognized principally for his expertise in antitrust and securities litigation, where one source said: "He'd be my first port of call for assistance."

William Pakalka is rightly considered to be among the elite of the Lone Star State's antitrust experts, and is praised for his focus on antitrust and trade regulation issues.

Anne Rodgers is a strong antitrust lawyer whose workload is principally geared towards litigation and class actions.

Veteran figure Richard Carrell remains a hugely valued adviser on complex commercial antitrust litigations. An "ever-present and still significant player," he continues to play a notable role in the group.

THE FIRM Haynes and Boone's 25-member antitrust group provides complete coverage from its broad spread of offices across Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Sources note the firm's strengths in merger enforcement, government investigations, and cartel work. Key highlights for the group include acting as counsel to AT&T in connection with its high-profile acquisition of T-Mobile USA.

Sources say: "One of the most thorough groups I have worked with." "I have high standards, and as a group they are satisfying them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barry McNeil "brings a wealth of experience" and his quality is recognized by both his peers and government lawyers. Sources describe him as an attorney who "is very bright, incredibly knowledgeable and widely respected, and has a good manner of dealing with things." His expertise is especially sought after in criminal investigations.

Ronald Breaux chairs the firm's litigation team, and his personal practice covers a range of complex litigation, including antitrust.

The "up-and-coming" Kathleen Beasley maintains a broad-based antitrust practice, covering government investigations and litigation.

THE FIRM The Susman Godfrey antitrust team works on a nationwide scale, and its Texas-based practitioners work in close collaboration with their colleagues in New York and Los Angeles. As one would expect from a litigation boutique, the team is highly recommended for its strength in antitrust litigation, where it works with both plaintiffs and defendants.

Sources say: "The antitrust gurus here in Texas." "A powerhouse plaintiff firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Susman is a highly visible practitioner in the antitrust field. One of his peers admitted that, "having tried cases against him, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him – he's a great attorney."

Lee Godfrey is "a very fine trial lawyer." He draws praise for his handling of both complex commercial litigation and antitrust cases.

Barry Barnett is widely recognized for his expertise in price-fixing and monopolization cases. This Dallas-based attorney principally represents plaintiffs, and is acknowledged by peers as "a very bright lawyer" and "the standout" lawyer at the plaintiffs bar.

Harry Susman handles a range of antitrust work for both plaintiffs and defendants. He is recognized as being part of "the next generation" of antitrust lawyers in Texas.

THE FIRM This Texas-based group works closely with its peers in Washington, DC and New York, and has garnered a solid reputation for handling both antitrust litigation and broader antitrust counseling. The group also works with clients on merger clearance work.

Sources say: "The best bang for your buck in antitrust law." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jerry Beane is a senior partner focusing on antitrust and complex commercial litigation. He has more than 40 years' experience on the defense side, and is regarded by peers as "a really good trial lawyer" who offers "terrific insight." He remains an active presence in the market, and is currently representing National Dairy in a series of coordinated putative class actions concerning an alleged price-fixing conspiracy.

Kay Lynn Brumbaugh assists clients with antitrust litigation and counseling. Clients are effusive in their praise for her as "a practical antitrust lawyer. We told her what we wanted to do and she helped us to get there without being overly lawyerly."

THE FIRM This team provides clients with a complete antitrust service, and is noted for its expertise across litigation, government investigations, and transactional antitrust issues. The team attracts marquee names such as Halliburton, Shell Oil, and CenterPoint Energy, and recently assisted Pride International with the antitrust elements of its $8.7 billion merger transaction with Ensco.

Sources say: "Professional, experienced, and detail-oriented." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Rodi manages a broad commercial practice that includes an emphasis on antitrust litigation, counseling, and government investigations. He was trial counsel in the team's representation of Actelion and its CoTherix affiliate in a California state court action brought by rival pharmaceutical company Asahi Kasei Pharma. Sources say he is "timely and responsive, and gives sound, practical advice."

THE FIRM Gibson, Dunn's nationwide antitrust team continues to be ranked among the market's elite, and the group's Texas-based members play their full part in that. Recent highlights include representing Ticketmaster in the global antitrust issues related to its highly publicized merger with Live Nation.

Sources say: "When you deal with Gibson Dunn you feel like you're dealing with a whole team, which leads to quality and consistency."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sean Royall is a distinguished antitrust practitioner whose high standing in the market is enthusiastically supported by clients and peers alike. His considerable expertise is pinpointed by sources as a key attraction, and in particular the way in which he applies that experience to solving a problem. Sources say: "He plays well with management – he has a great legal mind, but is also commercial and understands the broader business context."

Veronica Lewis puts her 20 years of experience to good use assisting clients across a range of commercial litigation, with a focus on antitrust and IP. She recently acted alongside her colleague Brian Robison in defending the USA's largest shell egg producer in a series of class actions concerning an alleged price-fixing conspiracy.

Brian Robison is a "very good, talented young trial lawyer who is heavily involved in antitrust matters." He regularly assists clients with the antitrust side of M&A, and represents them in government investigations. He was lead counsel to a major commercial insurance company in a purported nationwide class action concerning an alleged Sherman Act violation.

Robert Walters is an experienced litigator, focusing principally on antitrust concerns. He is the co-head of the firm's Dallas office.

THE FIRM Thompson & Knight provides a broad range of clients with a complete antitrust offering, advising major names such as Boots & Coots, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Texas Industries. Its attorneys are proven experts in trade regulation, RICO, unfair advertising, trade secrets, and business torts. The group also frequently assists clients with the antitrust elements of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.

Sources say: "Oriented on keeping the client happy – a big plus for the firm." "Business-savvy; very responsive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gregory Huffman heads the firm's antitrust practice group. He earns considerable praise from clients, who enjoy working with him because he is "highly commercial – he's one of the best in terms of business savvy; no-nonsense, a straight shooter." He represented Boots & Coots in the antitrust aspects of its merger with Halliburton.

William Katz is based in the firm's Dallas office, and focuses on antitrust, class actions, and complex commercial litigation. He cochairs the firm's litigation group and is working alongside Gregory Huffman in representing Continental Casualty Company in defending an alleged price-fixing and bid-rigging conspiracy relating to the insurance industry. Sources describe him as a "skilled litigator."

James Berglund is a highly regarded litigator who regularly undertakes a range of complex commercial litigation, as well as both civil and criminal antitrust litigation. Commentators are quick to acknowledge that he is "a savvy litigator who really knows how to take care of his clients."

THE FIRM This compact yet nimble group of attorneys is the leading antitrust offering in south Texas, and continues to assist clients with a broad range of antitrust issues. It recently acted for Pedernales Electric Cooperative in a wide-ranging investigation into its operations over the last ten years. Other clients include Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith, and Kinetic Concepts.

Sources say: "The leading antitrust team in San Antonio." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Ferrill is recognized as an "accomplished and strong trial lawyer" who has been a key driver in the development of the firm's antitrust practice group. He is a vastly experienced practitioner, and his 30 years of antitrust expertise includes assisting clients in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, as well as telecommunications and financial services. He recently represented Pedernales Electric Cooperative, as mentioned above. "He is brilliant – he's extraordinarily bright and has real business acumen," say sources.

THE FIRM This team comprises 14 attorneys split across the firm's offices in Dallas and Houston. The group regularly assists clients with antitrust litigation, antitrust counseling, class actions, enforcement agency investigations, and merger clearance work.

Sources say: "They worked well with their colleagues across multiple offices, working together as smoothly as a championship relay team in passing the baton securely and at the right time."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Curtis Frisbie is "a highly respected trial lawyer" who handles a range of antitrust cases, as well as other commercial litigation matters. He is currently defending Jordan Reses Supply Company against a suit alleging a conspiracy to violate Californian antitrust laws.

Randy Gordon's practice is focused predominantly on antitrust litigation. Based in the firm's Dallas office, he is also heavily involved in the Jordan Reses Supply Company action, and achieved a favorable settlement for a steel supplier in a Robinson-Patman price discrimination case.

THE FIRM This group maintains a broad-ranging antitrust offering, and its attorneys regularly undertake litigation, government investigations and merger enforcement work. Active clients include VFM Leonardo and Universal Hospital Services.

Sources say: "A strong Texan antitrust team." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS  

Gregory Casas works out of the firm's Austin office. His practice is focused on litigating price-fixing and market allocation claims, and on assisting clients with DOJ and FTC investigations.

THE FIRM The Jones Day team handles a significant spread of antitrust matters, including both civil and criminal litigation, government investigations, antitrust counseling, and merger clearance work. It recently advised American Airlines on the antitrust aspects of its multiyear joint business agreement with Japan Airlines.

Sources say: "They have proven to be highly responsive. We appreciate their knowledge of our industry and their proactive efforts to keep us apprised of antitrust developments."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bruce McDonald heads up Jones Day's Texas antitrust practice, and is noted for his work representing clients from the energy, telecommunications and transportation sectors in antitrust actions. He was involved in advising American Airlines on its agreement with Japan Airlines.

Thomas Jackson is a commercial litigator whose wide-ranging practice encompasses not just antitrust but also securities and IP. He has assisted clients such as Nokia, Texas Instruments and Dell with antitrust work, and worked alongside Bruce McDonald on the American Airlines and Japan Airlines deal.

THE FIRM This group is active across a wide array of antitrust matters and is especially highly regarded for its expertise in handling cases involving alleged price-fixing and monopolies. Sources highlight the group's expertise in a range of key sectors, including energy, healthcare and aviation.

Sources say: "An excellent firm when it comes to antitrust work; they are extremely responsive, knowledgeable and friendly."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Top-notch trial lawyer" James Reeder continues to assist clients with a range of antitrust issues, including allegations of price-fixing, monopolization, and conspiracy. He is the leader of the antitrust practice group, and recently assisted Continental Airlines in successfully defending on appeal the dismissal of antitrust claims brought against Continental and other airlines.

Harry Reasoner is widely recognized as "an outstanding lawyer, and a true senior statesman." He is a veteran of many years' practice, and his vast experience is crucial to the firm's standing in the market.