Clifford Chance draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ability to ‘see across a multi-jurisdictional chessboard.’ The firm adeptly handles cross-border merger clearances, DOJ and FTC investigations, with notable expertise in facilitating approvals in healthcare and life sciences transactions. The team is led by Timothy Cornell, a prolific merger counsel noted for his expertise in multijurisdictional clearance processes and investigations, and Sharis Pozen, who has deep agency experience and specializes in merger litigation, both in the US and against global enforcement bodies. Brian Concklin handles DOJ and FTC approvals for deals, as well as advising on transactions requiring multijurisdictional approvals, while Robert Houck represents clients in complex commercial litigation. The team’s litigation capabilities have been bolstered by the 2023 arrival of William Lavery and Joseph Ostoyich from Baker Botts L.L.P., as well as the 2024 arrival of counsel Lauren Rackow in New York from Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP. Attorneys mentioned are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Top notch lawyers. Unparalleled in their understand of how to knit together the complexities of merger control across multiple competing jurisdictions.'
‘This team has the ability to see across a multi-jurisdictional chessboard in way I have not yet found in any other global firm. From China to the EU to Latam -- I know they have us coordinated and covered.'
Key clients
- Mondelēz International
- UnitedHealth Group Inc.
- Epic Games
- Orthofix Medical Inc.
- Philip Morris International
- X Corp
- Washington Health System
- CVC Capital Partners
- Partners Group
- Bank of Montreal
- ICBC Standard Bank
- Recordati
- Aspirus Inc.
- Czechoslovak Group (CSG)
Work highlights
- Advised on the multijurisdictional antitrust aspects of Mondelēz International's US$1.350 billion sale of its developed-market gum business in United States, Canada and Europe to Perfetti Van Melle Group.
- Advised UnitedHealth Group Inc. ("UHG") on the antitrust aspects regarding its acquisition of healthcare technology company Change Healthcare for US$13 billion.
- Representing Caterpillar Inc. in a Sherman Act Section 1 group boycott case in the District of Delaware, in which plaintiff alleged Caterpillar conspired with other equipment manufacturers, its independent dealers, and others to exclude an importer of Chinese heavy construction equipment from the U.S. market.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Timothy Cornell, Sharis Pozen