North America - United States • Antitrust

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

More informationMore information

With a deep bench comprised of ‘strategic thinkers,’ Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises a broad range of sectors, including, but not limited to food, chemicals and healthcare on their approaches to civil antitrust litigation and dealings with the FTC across issues such as monopolization, tying and price fixing. The practice is led by a five-person team, with New York’s Peter Guryan counting a number of prominent private equity houses among his clients, and both he and Washington DC’s Sara Razi represent clients in litigation against the DOJ and FTC, with DC-based John Terzaken handling civil litigation occurring as a result of regulatory proceedings. Lynn Neuner and Jonathan Youngwood co-chair the firm’s litigation practice out of New York, assisting with civil antitrust disputes. Washington DC-based Abram Ellis, described by a client as a ’good strategist,’ is noted for his work defending class actions and antitrust disputes concerning financial instruments and the healthcare sector.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The practice certainly has many able people and can make relevant expertise available at short notice. Of particular note is their thorough approach to understanding their clients’ issues and needs.’

  • ‘Abram Ellis and his team were the individuals who delivered for us and were a true pleasure to deal with.’

  • 'Simpson has a very strong team. They are strategic thinkers who work hard to learn our industry and accomplish our business goals. Their matters are thoughtfully staffed with capable lawyers at all levels.'

  • 'John Terzaken is a great counselor for business clients. He has deep antitrust knowledge and a calm and reassuring demeanor even in moments of crisis. His advice is clear and practical, and he is equally comfortable speaking the language of law and the language of business.'

  • 'Abram Ellis is a good strategist who navigates well the complexities of joint defense situations.'

Key clients

  • Apiture, Inc.
  • Booking Holdings Inc.
  • Change Healthcare
  • Covestro LLC
  • Cross Country Healthcare
  • Deutsche Bank
  • HCA Healthcare, Inc.
  • Micron Technology, Inc.
  • Tyson Foods

Work highlights

  • Represented Change Healthcare in a merger trial, in which UnitedHealth and Change were victorious over the DOJ.
  • Advised HCA Healthcare in FTC’s first lawsuit over COPA.
  • Represented Tyson Foods in two wage-fixing antitrust class actions.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners

Abram Ellis

Abram Ellis

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Recognized as a “Rising Star” and “Next Generation Lawyer” in antitrust litigation, Abram Ellis is a Partner in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office. His practice comprises all aspects of competition law, from defending clients against complex class action antitrust litigation to helping clients obtain regulatory clearance from domestic and international competition authorities for significant transactions. An integral member of the “Antitrust Team of the Year” (Chambers USA 2016), Abram is particularly experienced in antitrust litigation involving complex financial instruments, the healthcare industry and employment issues. In addition to his robust antitrust practice, Abram advises leading private equity funds, financial institutions and major corporations on regulatory and compliance matters relating to cross-border activities, including with respect to OFAC, FCPA and export matters. Recent representations include: representing Change Healthcare in the DOJ’s challenge of UnitedHealthGroup’s acquisition of Change Healthcare; RPM/Euclid in connection with claims that it fixed prices with respect to concrete additives and admixtures; Marinette Marine in a claim that it participated in a no-poach agreement with firms that employee naval engineers; Sun Communities in defense of claims that it fixed prices on manufactured home lots; the OWGR in ongoing litigation involving LIV; HCA in the FTC’s review of the sale of certain hospitals in Louisiana by HCA; HCA in pending antitrust litigation in North Carolina state and federal court alleging HCA engaged in monopolistic conduct in violation of state and federal antitrust laws; Covestro in antitrust class actions involving MDI and TDI; Tyson Foods in a wage fixing antitrust class action alleging a decades-long conspiracy to fix wages; a major pharmaceutical and medical supply company in dismissal of antitrust class action concerning alleged price-fixing conspiracy among manufacturers of generic pharmaceuticals; Micron in dismissal of a proposed antitrust class action alleging a conspiracy involving DRAM; HCA in the FTC’s challenge of HCA’s proposed acquisition of certain hospital assets from Steward Healthcare; and JPMorgan in antitrust and CEA class actions concerning the alleged manipulation of LIBOR; ISDA in antitrust class actions and government investigations concerning credit default swaps.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Peter Guryan, Sara Razi, John Terzaken, Lynn Neuner, Jonathan Youngwood

Other key lawyers

Abram Ellis