Antitrust: Georgia

THE FIRM Alston & Bird's prominence in antitrust is anchored in its litigation strength. Its team benefits from the presence of a number of established trial lawyers who are proven practitioners in antitrust cases. In addition to litigation, its members are also skilled in assisting the firm's stellar client list in transactional competition-related issues, including M&A and joint ventures. Recent highlights include assisting Dell with a variety of antitrust issues including claims against manufacturers of liquid crystal displays.

Sources say: "The lawyers are very reactive. They show over and over again that they value the relationship they have with us. They are always ready to do whatever we need doing whenever we need it done."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Randall Allen is acknowledged as one of the state's preeminent antitrust attorneys. He is principally a commercial litigator, but maintains an active antitrust litigation and counseling brief. Clients are quick to praise the value of his counsel, saying: “He is very knowledgeable of our industry, and he understands how the business community works.”

Adam Biegel is one of the team's next generation of antitrust stars, and peers acknowledge that his “energy and intellect make him a standout.” His broad practice encompasses a wide range of transactional antitrust compliance and counseling.

Teresa Bonder heads the antitrust team and continues to impress sources as an “incredibly thorough lawyer.” She is known for successfully handling class action litigation.

Michael Kenny is an “excellent lawyer, and a particularly fine commercial litigator,” who regularly turns his hand to antitrust cases. He is noted in the market for his expertise in class action litigation.

THE FIRM This group covers the full range of antitrust issues, including joint ventures and transactional issues. Its lofty position within the Georgia market is largely based upon its mastery of antitrust litigation, and in particular its members' adroit handling of cartel defense work. The team works with clients from a wide range of sectors, with particular success in the healthcare and energy areas. Recent highlights include the team's role as lead North American counsel for Kemira Oyj and Kemira Chemicals Canada in actions alleging a cartel in the sale of hydrogen peroxide.

Sources say: “They understand the client's business perspective, and then help them achieve that within the bounds of antitrust law.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Commercial litigation team head Jeffrey Cashdan is widely acknowledged to be “clearly one of the best antitrust lawyers in Atlanta.” He is known for his ability to handle cartel-related cases.

Russell Wofford is another of the firm's specialist antitrust litigators, and stands out through his “great strategic thinking,” while also impressing sources by being “highly responsive to the client's desire to contain costs.”

Christine Hopkinson is “an exceptionally bright younger attorney,” who is developing a strong reputation for her expertise in antitrust issues.

THE FIRM Bondurant is a renowned litigation boutique which has tremendous strength in contentious antitrust work. Its attorneys handle a wide range of antitrust disputes for a similarly broad spectrum of clients, who salute the team's skill in handling both civil and criminal antitrust issues, and especially note the group's ability to deal with multidistrict litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frank Lowrey continues to be lauded as “an incredibly skilled antitrust lawyer.” Sources are quick to acknowledge that he is “extremely articulate, a really quick study, and one of the finest writers you will ever meet.” His brief includes a range of class actions, and private antitrust cases.

Edward Krugman is lauded for his “nimbleness of intellect,” which he turns effectively to antitrust cases on both the plaintiff and defendant side.

Senior practitioner Emmet Bondurant is known for his deep trial experience and expertise. "You will struggle to find another lawyer in Atlanta who has the depth of antitrust expertise and has tried as many jury trials as Emmet,” say sources. 

THE FIRM This team works with a broad range of clients in both civil and criminal antitrust litigation. The group handles transactional issues and government investigations for a variety of clients from startups to international corporations.

Sources say: "Obviously a very fine firm that is nationally very strong."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Trammell Newton is noted to be a “very skillful commercial litigator who is certainly a good pick for an antitrust case.” In addition to litigation, he also counsels clients on the antitrust issues of M&A transactions and joint ventures.

THE FIRM This group continues to handle a broad range of antitrust-related work. Its strong reputation is principally founded in its litigation expertise, and the lawyers have an impressive track record of representing clients in significant commercial class actions. The team also assists clients in both governmental and criminal investigations.

Sources say: “I have always been impressed with the level of attention provided and the understanding of the legal and business aspects of my business."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kimberly Myers maintains a broad practice which encompasses securities fraud and trademark issues as well as antitrust cases. She is “an experienced and adept antitrust attorney,” according to commentators.

Tony Powers is “as bright as they come” and is praised highly by sources, who note that “he's such an excellent strategist that you can rely on him to make very sound decisions.”

THE FIRM This group is noted for its expertise in both civil and criminal antitrust proceedings. The team also regularly assists corporate clients with antitrust compliance counseling. Market commentators particularly praise the group's criminal specialists for their expertise in price-fixing cases. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Charles Murphy is held in high regard as “a great litigator, especially on the criminal side.” His practice encompasses civil and criminal antitrust issues and white-collar criminal defense.