Rachel Adcox
Axinn Veltrop & HarkriderFielding a team of ‘responsive, aggressive, and very smart’ attorneys, Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider is well positioned to take on the gamut of antitrust defenses, including MDLs and treble-damage litigation arising out of price fixing and monopolization allegations, including standout work for Google, among others. Washington DC’s Michael Keeley leads the group, specializing in disputes that concern both antitrust and IP issues, such as patent jury cases, and is also sought after for representation in relation to monopolization. ’Master strategist’ Rachel Adcox, also based in the capital, is adept at handling concurrent civil and criminal litigation, including treble-damage suits, while ‘stand-out trial lawyer’ Denise Plunkett is noted for her representation of payments and other financial services clients in antitrust litigation out of New York. Made partner in January 2024, Kail Jethmalani maintains a practice covering civil antitrust suits with defense of clients before the FTC and foreign competition regulators. DC-based Kenina Lee brings experience of FTC procedure relating to pharmaceutical sector mergers to the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Axinn brings a deep bench of experienced practitioners who can handle any manner of antitrust representation. Axinn has seen every issue several times over and understands how to help clients efficiently navigate any litigation or investigation, or how to avoid them in the first instance through effective compliance counseling.’
‘Axinn's attorneys are dedicated antitrust lawyers who understand every part of a case. In particular, Axinn attorneys are experts at deep-diving into the details of complex products and industries. Axinn has built a dedicated team to focus on our product and keep up to date with industry developments, making them valuable advisors from the earliest stages of product development through investigations and litigation.
- 'They are experts at understanding how to leverage economic analyses to present the best case possible. This makes Axinn particularly valuable for advocacy and expert work in litigation.'
‘I found the team deeply knowledgeable, responsive and practical. I would use them again.’
'The Axinn team has a deep knowledge of our business, forged from deep dives into our discovery record and collaboration with our business team. That knowledge is invaluable to witness preparation and trial strategy. The Axinn team also excels at client services. They are responsive and take care to listen to and understand the client's perspective and concerns.'
'The combination of a client-first attitude and knowledge of the facts and our business, coupled with their practical problem solving abilities, makes them pragmatic litigators.'
'Axinn lawyers are responsive, aggressive, and very smart. Their teams are well managed, and they delegate effectively to an uncommonly strong group of associates.'
'Top to bottom, the Axinn team has excellent lawyers. Rachel Adcox is a master strategist and a very effective relationship manager. Denise Plunkett is a stand-out trial lawyer who has a terrific bedside manner with clients. Kail Jethmalani is an outstanding antitrust lawyer who combines first-rate subject matter knowledge with strong litigation skills and excellent strategic judgment.'
Key clients
- Tyson Foods, Inc.
- Alvogen
- Stanley Black & Decker
- Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies
- McKesson Corporation
- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
- Independence Health Group
- Shintech Incorporated
- Magnus Carlsen
Work highlights
- Representing Tyson Foods in multiple major treble-damage class action litigations and regulatory investigations alleging industry-wide conspiracies to raise the prices of broiler chickens, pork, turkey, and beef, as well as a conspiracy to depress broiler grower pay.
- Representing Alvogen in the Generic Drugs MDL in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, initiated in 2017 by 44 State Attorneys' General and followed by a DOJ criminal antitrust investigation and multiple treble-damage class action suits.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Michael Keeley