Antitrust

Merger Clearance

Our interdisciplinary antitrust team handles regulatory clearance for some of the world’s largest transactions, including advising on Anheuser‑Busch InBev’s $123 billion acquisition of SABMiller; Mylan’s $50 billion combination with Upjohn to form Viatris; Wiz’s $32 billion acquisition by Google; and Cisco’s $28 billion acquisition of Splunk. We regularly interface with competition agencies in the United States and internationally, and we work closely with our clients to develop a deep understanding of their business. Our integrated approach positions us not only to provide the “answer,” but also to partner with each client to identify and implement the right, workable business solution.

Litigation

Complex antitrust litigation is a hallmark of Cravath’s practice, and we bring to bear courtroom excellence and government experience to deliver the most comprehensive, innovative and tactical antitrust advice to our clients around the world. We handle private antitrust litigation covering the entire spectrum, including managing class actions spread across the country to litigating individual actions in a single jurisdiction. Trained as generalists, our litigators see the broader picture and navigate the intersection of antitrust law with areas such as securities and intellectual property to devise creative, holistic solutions.

Bringing “extraordinary expertise and understanding of antitrust law and guidance, and . . . a good sense of political currents impacting policymaking and the regulatory landscape,” we are equally adept at handling critical enforcement actions. (Chambers USA)  Our team has an exceptional track record trying and winning cases against the government, including securing major victories for our clients in closely watched actions against both the FTC and DOJ.

Investigations

We handle a variety of public and non-public antitrust‑related governmental investigations domestically and around the world, including investigations related to transactions and allegations of price fixing, coordination in output, monopolization and industry‑wide conspiracy.

Recognition

Year after year, Cravath’s team is recognized at the top of the nation’s most highly regarded antitrust practices. Chambers USA distinguishes our attorneys for handling “cutting‑edge matters at the forefront of antitrust,” and has repeatedly named Cravath its “Antitrust Law Firm of the Year.” We also have been honored numerous times as “Antitrust Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation, “Regional Firm of the Year – Americas” by Global Competition Review (“GCR”) and “Competition Practice Group of the Year” by Law360. The Firm’s transactional and litigation matters are frequently recognized for their innovation and impact by Benchmark Litigation, GCR and the Financial Times. In addition, we are consistently ranked as a top‑tier firm by leading industry publications including Benchmark Litigation, Chambers USA, GCR and The Legal 500 US.

Our team has earned repeated praise from clients, the market and the press, including: 

• “[T]he cream of the crop. This is the firm to use if you are faced with high‑stakes antitrust litigation.” Client, Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
• “Among the very best at steering a merger through the review process. They are sophisticated and keen advocates. And have a highly diverse team.” Testimonial, The Legal 500 US
• The Firm “has kept hundreds of billions in deals going through the antitrust agencies while also maintaining plenty of significant litigation.” GCR 100
• “Antitrust is an area where many claim to have expertise but only a few firms really shine. Cravath is one of those few.” Testimonial, The Legal 500 US
• An “impressive and varied group that advises and litigates on antitrust matters, often with an international flavor,” whose “practitioners are well versed in the overlap between antitrust and other areas, such as securities and IP law.” Chambers USA
• “Cravath, Swaine & Moore is one of the best antitrust firms in the US, with outstanding understanding of the relationship between IP and antitrust.” Qualcomm Head of Global Antitrust, Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
• “The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Ohio v. American Express offered more than redemption to one of America’s iconic companies, as well as to the team of trial lawyers from Cravath who took a 10‑year journey with their client to taste sweet victory. For Amex, the case was a gutsy validation of its business model and of CEO Kenneth Chenault’s belief – not only in its exclusive card – but also in his Cravath team.” Lawdragon