US Antitrust and Competition

Insuring compliance with the antitrust laws in the United States can be a time-consuming and complex endeavor. Two different federal agencies -- the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice -- enforce multiple antitrust laws and sometimes disagree on enforcement policies and priorities. The mandates of these agencies frequently intersect with the missions of other federal agencies, including the Patent and Trademark Office, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission. Further complexity is introduced by the State Attorneys General, which enforce divergent state antitrust laws and emphasize varying enforcement priorities. Criminal sanctions for price-fixing, civil litigants seeking treble damages, and class actions further raise the stakes that companies face in the United States.

O'Melveny's US Antitrust and Competition Practice is well-positioned to guide companies through this daunting maze. O’Melveny offers unmatched breadth and quality of expertise in litigating antitrust cases in federal and state courts, representing companies before federal and state antitrust agencies, and counseling clients on the nuances of both federal and state antitrust laws. Our lawyers have extensive experience representing both companies and individuals facing criminal antitrust charges, litigating complex civil class actions, and obtaining regulatory approval of high-profile mergers. We provide ongoing counsel to clients facing complex and evolving business issues, including the design of antitrust-compliant licensing and distribution agreements and the development of legal strategies in precedent-setting price-fixing and monopolization cases.

Our lawyers augment their capabilities by partnering closely with renowned economists and consultants. Our advocacy and antitrust victories have set legal precedents, changed industry landscapes, and shaped antitrust policy worldwide. Indeed, our efforts have been recognized by organizations like Global Competition Review, Chambers USA, Legal 500, and the International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers. Further, many of our lawyers have distinguished themselves through their innovative efforts and leadership before the bench, at the negotiating table, and within the Bar. Within our ranks are veteran Executive Branch and Capitol Hill policy makers, some of the most respected litigators and regulatory antitrust attorneys, and experts in antitrust and competition policy in the United States.

O’Melveny’s antitrust team has successfully represented companies in many sectors of the economy, including aviation, banking, chemicals, defense, entertainment, health care, high technology, manufacturing, oil and gas, retailing, and telecommunications.

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Practice Strengths