Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, LAW FIRM NEWS: Law firms tout new antitrust hires, along with recognition for attorneys, (Jun 4, 2024)

By Seth Abrams, J.D., M.A.

Several significant moves were announced by leading firms.

New hires. Quinn Emanual announced that Kevin J. Arquit has joined the firm as a partner, where he will co-chair the Antitrust and Competition practice group. Arquit is a former general counsel and director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. He has also held leadership positions at Kasowitz Benson Torres, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Arquit most recently was at JBS USA, where he served as Chief Legal Officer for the world’s largest meat supplier, overseeing compliance efforts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europa, and the U.K.

Paul, Weiss announced the addition of Christopher M. Wilson as a partner in the Litigation Department, based out of the Washington, D.C. office. Prior to private practice, Wilson was a trial lawyer with the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. He advises clients on a full range of antitrust matters, such as merger control, cross-border antitrust investigations, and private party litigation involving complex antitrust and consumer protection issues. During his time at the DOJ, Wilson investigated numerous high-profile transactions, including CVS/Aetna, Bayer/Monsanto, Alaska Airlines/Virgin America, Aetna/Humana, Anthem/Cigna, and Haliburton/Baker Hughes. He earned a B.A. from NYU and a J.D. from Columbia University.

Clifford Chance announced that Michael Grenfell will join the firm as a partner in the Global Antitrust Group, based out of its London office. Grenfell previously worked at the UK CMA as Executive Director of Enforcement and as an antitrust partner at Norton Rose Fulbright. Grenfell has significant expertise with the CMA’s operations and its powers under the Digital Markets Act.

Hausfeld announced that Joanna Christoforou will join its London office and René Galle will join its Hamburg office as partners. Both attorneys have strong backgrounds in antitrust law and antitrust litigation. Christoforou, previously at Morgan Lewis, has a record of handling high-stakes and complex UK and EU competition litigation in the English and European courts. Galle, previously at A&O Sherman, possesses a record of success in high-profile competition litigation cases, and serves as regional co-head of the prestigious Association of German Antitrust Lawyers.

Shepard Mullin announced that partner Tom Panoff will join the Business Trial practice group in Chicago. Panoff previously was at Mayer Brown where he was a partner and leader of the firm’s antitrust financial services and insurance industry team and co-leader of the banking and finance litigation group. He has a national practice which focuses on complex commercial and antitrust litigation involving financial services, fintech, alternative investment funds, and multinational companies. Panoff earned his B.B.A. from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a L.L.M. from Cambridge University.

Changing careers. Gwendolyn J. Lindsay Cooley announced that she is leaving the Wisconsin’s Attorney General Office and her role as Chair of the Multistate Antitrust Task Force. She intends to return to private practice.

Recognition. Jones Day announced that Antitrust & Competition Law partner Peter J. Schwingler was included as a 2024 BTI Consulting Group “Client Service All-Star.” BTI All-Stars are recognized for their ideas, insight, proactiveness, clear and concise recommendations, and future-orientation. Schwingler works out of the Minneapolis and Washington D.C. offices.

Benedict Law Group announced that principal Brendan Benedict and of counsel Michael D. Altebrando were named among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers. This is the second year in a row in which both firm’s attorneys have been recognized for antitrust and commercial litigation.

Morrison Foerster announced that Lisa Phelan has been shortlisted for Lawyer of the Year in the category of Antitrust & Competition for Women in Business Law. The award is presented annually by Euromoney Legal Media Group.

Lockridge Grindal Nauen announced that partner Heidi Silton was appointed co-lead counsel in a large class action lawsuit against European eyewear conglomerate EssilorLuxottica S.A. alleging abuse of monopoly power in the eyewear market.

Attorneys: Kevin J. Arquit (Quinn Emanual). Christopher M. Wilson (Paul, Weiss). Michael Grenfell (Clifford Chance). Joanna Christoforou and René Galle (Hausfeld). Tom Panoff (Shepard Mullin). (Mayer Brown). Heidi Silton (Lockridge Grindal Nauen). Peter J. Schwingler (Jones Day). Brendan Benedict and Michael D. Altebrando (Benedict Law Group). Lisa Phelan (Morrison Foerster).

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