Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced on Wednesday that two prominent antitrust litigators were recruited from rival firms, further bolstering its antitrust capabilities. Heather Lamberg, formerly with Winston & Strawn, will be based in Freshfields' Washington, D.C., office, while Justina Sessions joins from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Silicon Valley.
Lamberg brings a wealth of experience representing notable clients such as Zillow Group Inc, the North American Soccer League, and Englewood Hospital. She cited her association with partner Eric Mahr, who joined Freshfields in 2018 after serving as the director of litigation in the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, and the firm's strong litigation track record, as key factors in her decision to join. "There aren't that many firms that can say they have litigated multiple merger trials against both the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission and have achieved victories," Lamberg stated.
Wilson Sonsini expressed gratitude towards Sessions and extended well-wishes, while Winston refrained from commenting.
Under the Biden Administration, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have heightened their scrutiny of mergers, resulting in a surge of merger challenges. Currently, the FTC is striving to prevent Microsoft Corp's $69 billion acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard Inc. Thomas Janssens, global head of Freshfields' antitrust practice, acknowledged that increased antitrust enforcement has become a significant concern for clients.
Freshfields, established in London, has been actively expanding its U.S. attorney roster throughout the first weeks of June. Recently, the firm added a four-partner team specializing in crisis and regulatory risk management and cybersecurity from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Additionally, Damian Ridealgh, a former partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, was hired for the U.S. finance practice. In contrast, David Sewell, previously a partner at Perkins Coie, joined the U.S. global transactions practice in New York.
Meta Description: Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer strengthens its antitrust practices by hiring two accomplished litigators from rival firms. Learn about the notable hires and the firm's efforts to expand its attorney roster in the U.S.
