Antitrust: Illinois

THE FIRM Like many of the leading firms in Illinois, this group has a truly national antitrust scope. Within Chicago, it is frequently seen in the largest class action suits and is widely recognized by peers for its formidable bench strength. Among its numerous litigation highlights it has been defending Bain Capital against a putative nationwide class action suit estimated at $10 billion. Other notable cases include acting for Hitachi on the settlement of the TFT-LCD flat panel class action, which alleged price-fixing, and representing the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association in an ongoing nationwide action that could potentially impact some 100 million Americans insured by the BCBSA.

Sources say: "Very good lawyers: on the ball, aggressive and smart. They're on everyone's list."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The terrific James Mutchnik is "very professional, bright and responsive," according to sources. In addition to the Bain Capital and Hitachi cases, his extensive recent resume also includes work for Navistar International against an allegation of monopolization of the heavy-duty truck transmission market, and for EVA Airways, which he represents in three separate civil and criminal antitrust matters.

Daniel Laytin is described as "outstanding" and a "go-to guy" who is particularly praised for his "ability to think and react on his feet while doing an excellent job of staying several steps ahead of the game." Laytin is taking the lead in the BCBSA case.

Andrew Langan is a litigator with wide experience in antitrust work and is currently heavily involved in general commercial litigation on the defense side in the BP Deepwater Horizon case.

David Zott has a "wealth of litigation experience," according to one source. Although he practices in a number of areas, he has been heavily involved in plasma derivative antitrust litigation on behalf of Baxter, as well as playing a significant role in the BCBSA case.

THE FIRM With a raft of leading names in this field, Mayer Brown's Chicago antitrust practice continues to be among the very best on offer and is able to draw upon the national and international reach of the firm. The group has an excellent reputation for its appellate practice, but is also highly sought for more general antitrust litigation and counseling. It has ongoing work for clients in two of the most significant current price-fixing class action suits, for The Mosaic Company in the potash litigation and for Temple-Inland in the containerboard litigation.

Sources say: "They are real competitors – they cover a lot of ground nationally and locally."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Marovitz is described as an "outstanding lawyer" who is particularly noted for the "wonderful job" he does in court and his excellent rapport with clients. Present in nearly all of the firm's recent major work, particular highlights include representing ArcelorMittal in an alleged conspiracy by steel producers to influence prices by reducing output, and defending BASF in a case concerning alleged urethane price-fixing.

Mark McLaughlin "continues to do first-rate work" in antitrust despite having become the firm's general counsel. Although he predominantly focuses on antitrust counseling, he maintains an excellent reputation for his work in litigation.

Britt Miller is described as a "very formidable and energetic" attorney who "argues and presents well." Miller has worked with Andrew Marovitz on much of the firm's most significant recent work and has also taken the lead in some notable cases, including being liaison counsel in the potash class action litigation. Commentators also note that she is well liked by clients and judges.

Lee Abrams continues to amaze his colleagues and peers by showing few signs of slowing down despite some 55 years' experience as a litigator. He maintains a practice in antitrust, franchising and general commercial litigation.

THE FIRM This group maintains its place at the top table by virtue of its excellent reputation in litigation and its notable strengths in healthcare work. It has appeared in large class action suits including the sulfuric acid, steel and chocolate litigation, for Koch Industries, Steel Dynamics and Mars respectively. On the healthcare side, it has represented ProMedica Health System in a hospital merger, and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital in a zoning case.

Sources say: "They are very responsive and, more importantly, the guidance they give is very clear – they are able to synthesize issues in a coherent way so that I can explain it to my clients. They're an excellent resource for me."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joel Chefitz is "one of the top antitrust attorneys I would send people to," according to one impressed peer. A highly adept litigator, he has recently defended National Standard in a patent suit concerning welding wire, and Dairy Farmers of America, a major dairy cooperative, in an alleged monopolization case.

Complementing Chefitz's practice is his colleague David Marx, a leading attorney whose portfolio has a strong healthcare focus. Sources call him "insightful, strategic and very bright" and "an extraordinary talent" who is "very easy to work with." He has been involved in two cases of late concerning the alleged depression of nurses' wages by hospitals.

THE FIRM Despite the recent departure of partner Andy Klevorn to Katten Muchin Rosenman, this compact litigation boutique continues to punch above its weight and is routinely sought to handle complex and high-value antitrust disputes. Recent work has seen it involved in class actions in the steel and dairy litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nathan Eimer is a "truly fine lawyer" according to sources, who also comment that "if there's a big Chicago case, he's usually in it." One peer simply says: "He is a star."

THE FIRM Helped by its worldwide presence and with a fine roster of antitrust lawyers, this team remains an excellent choice for antitrust work within Chicago. Recent highlights have seen it involved in some of the major nationwide class action suits including the potash litigation, for Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and the packaged ice litigation, for Arctic Glacier.

Sources say: "I was very happy with their willingness to understand our business and to be part of the solution, but at the same time being prepared to tell you what you can and can't do."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Commentators call Michael Sennett a "superlative" antitrust attorney who "understands the regulators, is pragmatic and efficient and offers concrete advice." He helped to secure a merger clearance for Baxter and is also defending 3D Systems in a monopolization case involving stereolithography equipment.

Pamela Taylor focuses on transactional antitrust work and counseled 3D Systems in its acquisition of two other companies. Sources describe her as "a very practical lawyer who understands antitrust risks but also understands that the client has a business to run."

THE FIRM With a good crop of litigators, this firm remains one of the stronger groups in the Chicago antitrust arena. A substantial proportion of its work comes in pharmaceutical and related IP matters, with recent cases including acting for AstraZeneca against a class action alleging sham patent litigation, and representing GlaxoSmithKline in the sale of various drug rights.

Sources say: "Great firm, great reputation, with a diverse antitrust practice." "Excellent – their response time is very good."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Treece is a highly experienced attorney who is "smart, witty and impressive" and "good with the big picture," according to sources. He recently represented SSAB Swedish Steel in the steel litigation class action, and AstraZeneca in the sham patent litigation matter.

Jack Bierig is an adept litigator with a particular focus on healthcare work, which sees him undertake a wealth of IP work alongside his antitrust caseload.

General commercial litigator Charles Douglas is noted for his vast range of antitrust experience and is currently defending AT&T Mobility in a class action relating to the alleged forced use of text message codes to increase revenue.

David Graham has recently acted for Citi in a case concerning the alleged setting of Visa and MasterCard fees. In addition to antitrust work, he also has expertise in securities.

THE FIRM This firm maintains one of the largest antitrust presences in the state and is building an impressive practice. It has comprehensive expertise in both civil and white-collar criminal work and also particularly prides itself on its strength in IP-related antitrust matters. In recent highlights it represented JSC International Potash in the potash class action and is also acting for Verizon Wireless on the text messaging litigation.

Sources say: "I've never regretted a penny I've spent on them. They treated us like we were their most important client." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Commentators note that "there are few antitrust lawyers as knowledgeable" as Mark McCareins, Winston & Strawn's head of department. He is also described as "a great counsel in terms of his legal mind but also in his ability to approach matters from a nonlegal angle." Among his recent cases, he has represented RockTenn in the containerboard litigation alleging artificial manipulation of the corrugated container market.

Dan Webb is "one of the leading trial lawyers in Chicago" and maintains a diverse litigation practice which takes in IP, product liability, securities, and white-collar defense work, in addition to antitrust disputes. Of late, he has played active roles in the firm's representation of C.R. Bard in a case alleging anticompetitive practices against hospitals nationwide, and in the text messaging litigation.

THE FIRM This group maintains a solid antitrust presence within Illinois and further benefits from the firm's extensive global reach. Commentators are quick to point to the strength of its healthcare practice, but it also has significant experience in defending class action work and cross-border merger review. Among its recent highlights was securing a notable settlement on behalf of Tatung Company of America in the TFT-LCD antitrust litigation.

Sources say: "Their strengths in antitrust are obvious. They are increasingly global and have people around the world."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Roxane Busey maintains an excellent reputation within the market. She is particularly recognized for her healthcare work, although she has wider antitrust experience, with recent undertakings including counseling for Accenture and merger review for Nidec-Shimpo.

Patrick Ahern is a practitioner with experience across a wide range of antitrust work. He has been heavily involved in the TFT-LCD litigation for Chunghwa Picture Tubes in addition to acting for Tatung, and also had an instrumental role in a case relating to the alleged price-fixing of eggs for four opt-out plaintiffs.

Thomas Campbell is held in very high regard by his peers for the breadth and depth of his antitrust experience. Now of counsel at the firm, he is another practitioner whose reputation in healthcare goes before him.

THE FIRM This medium-sized firm continues to attract big-name clients including Deloitte, Coca-Cola and Nintendo of America, and is particularly well regarded for its counseling services on the civil antitrust side. Litigation highlights include being liaison counsel for the plaintiff class in the plasma derivative protein therapies antitrust suit.

Sources say: "We are repeatedly impressed by them – particularly their legal insight and ability to build client relationships."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffery Cross's "substantial expertise and knowledge" earns him high praise from commentators, who also praise his practical approach to matters. He is an active antitrust counselor in addition to being a broad commercial litigator. 

Eugene Zelek is an "unbelievably responsive" practitioner who is especially noted for his counseling ability. According to one source he is "masterful in helping clients understand the issues."  

David Gustman is described by sources as "a very, very skilled litigator." Another general litigator who undertakes antitrust work, he has been involved in a number of the firm's larger cases recently, including the plasma derivative protein therapies antitrust suit mentioned above.

THE FIRM This boutique is widely regarded as one of the leading names in the state for plaintiff class action work, with all four named partners practicing in that area. Among its recent case highlights is the automotive wire harness systems antitrust litigation against 22 named wire harness manufacturers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "outstanding" Michael Freed remains one of the deans of the plaintiff Bar in the state and garners much praise from the market for his courtroom presence and all-around ability.

THE FIRM This firm maintains a fine reputation for high-stakes antitrust litigation, particularly on the plaintiff side. The group remains an excellent choice for clients in the retail and financial services sectors and, in addition to its contentious antitrust work, also maintains enviable track records in a diverse range of areas, such as bankruptcy and IP.

Sources say: "A terrific firm on the plaintiff side."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Slater has been practicing in antitrust law for over 40 years and this experience is reflected by commentators, who call him a "wonderful lawyer." The majority of his practice is in antitrust, although he also undertakes more general commercial work.

THE FIRM Although this practice predominantly focuses on counseling and antitrust risk management, it also offers effective litigation expertise. Among those to whom it has recently provided antitrust advice are InterContinental Hotels and McDonald's, and it is currently working with Land O'Lakes on distribution and pricing issues.

Sources say: "Efficient, responsive and knowledgeable."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Libowsky is recognized by sources for his "very good underlying knowledge of the law." Among his recent highlights is advising James Hardie on a significant potential merger.

Senior statesman Alan Silberman is held in high regard for his experience and ability to "extemporaneously give you an answer that might take another lawyer weeks to do." A trusted and respected practitioner, he is the chair emeritus of the nationwide antitrust practice.

THE FIRM This practice undertakes both civil and criminal antitrust matters, with most of its recent notable cases seeing them acting on the defense side. It continues to represent Belarusian Potash Company in the potash price-fixing litigation, and is also involved in a class action suit alleging market allocation by insurance brokers.

Sources say: "What impressed me was their thoroughness in the way they think about and approach antitrust, particularly their ability to address gray areas."

KEY INDIVIDUALS According to commentators, Michael McCluggage is a "very practical, thoughtful and knowledgeable" practitioner. He has particular experience in antitrust matters relating to the insurance industry. "I can't say enough about his responsiveness and ability," an impressed source also notes.

THE FIRM Principally known for its general litigation expertise, this group nevertheless takes on a wide range of antitrust work. Increasingly its specialty is in advising and representing clients on the plaintiff side who opt out of class actions.

Sources say: "They're outstanding thinkers and they foster a team approach. This great diversity of thought leads to well-reasoned analysis."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Kinney debuts in the rankings this year following strong market support. He has a wealth of antitrust experience and is described by one source as "diligent and capable." In addition to his recognized opt-out plaintiff strength, he also undertakes work on the defense side in government investigations.

THE FIRM Another firm with a strong litigation department, McGuireWoods takes on both civil and criminal antitrust suits, where it covers a wide variety of cases. Recently it has notably represented Horizon Lines both in a criminal investigation relating to water freight price collusion and in ongoing related civil suits.

Sources say: "They have really impressed us with their professionalism, quality of work and responsiveness."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Amy Manning is a respected practitioner who has left clients "nothing but impressed" with her quality of advice, practicality and knowledge. She is the firm's main practitioner in Chicago and has a number of high-profile clients, both domestic and international.