Antitrust & Competition

Latham’s globally top-ranked Antitrust & Competition Practice helps clients navigate the world’s antitrust regimes, secure merger approvals, and avoid, resolve, or defeat challenges from litigants and enforcement bodies.

We solve the most vexing antitrust and competition challenges companies face. Our integrated team brings deep experience across every aspect of antitrust and competition law, everywhere in the world.  We address all dimensions of risk locally and across borders. Our team includes practitioners and enforcers with experience shaping and enforcing antitrust laws in the major global jurisdictions, helping clients clear make-or-break mergers and defend against high-stakes enforcement and litigation actions.

Our deep bench of first-chair antitrust litigators and trial lawyers regularly defeat or resolve competition and trade-related litigation brought against corporations and governments in venues throughout the world. We defend clients facing the full spectrum of charges in private and public damages litigation, competitor actions, class actions, and administrative actions. Our team represents some of the world’s leading multinational companies, which informs our practical and commercial approach.

As one of the most experienced merger clearance practices in the world, we operate at the center of global merger and buyout activity, representing some of the largest and most active dealmakers. We secure hundreds of merger clearances every year and regularly handle Second Requests in the US and Phase II proceedings before the European Commission and EU Member State authorities. Our fearsome courtroom reputation serves as a powerful incentive for agencies and opponents to work constructively with our clients.

We regularly defend clients facing government investigations and enforcement actions, including cartel, price-fixing, abuse of dominance, and unfair competition charges. We have defeated cases brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the European Commission (EC) in court. Our expert rapid response to surprise “dawn raids” by antitrust authorities helps clients avoid critical pitfalls and mount an effective defense within the critical first hours and days of such actions. Whatever the jurisdiction, accusation, or government agencies involved, we bring vast local and global experience, trial know-how, and a track record of winning similar cases on behalf of our clients.