Praise for Sidley’s Global Antitrust/Competition Practice

Competition Law Super League

Based on research for the PLC Cross-Border Competition Handbook 2009, in which nine of our competition lawyers feature prominently, Sidley has been named for the second consecutive year to The Competition Law Super League, PLC’s annual selection of the top 25 global competition practices. Sidley was praised for “[continuing] to have strong capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic, notably a leading practice in Chicago, and [gaining] an endorsement in China”. PLC Cross-Border Quarterly, April-June 2009

Chambers Praises Sidley’s Competition Practice on Three Continents

Europe
“Since opening its doors in Brussels in 2003 this firm has made a good impression on the competition market, winning praise as a ‘great practice that really knows its stuff, with a strong team spirit that makes it a pleasure to work with’. The group of 11 lawyers has expertise in competition, international trade and EU regulatory law and works closely with the firm’s US arm. Although he is spending more time in London these days, Stephen Kinsella OBE is still seen as one of the most prominent figures in the Belgian market. ‘He understands both the political and the regulatory challenges, gives practical advice’ and ‘gets straight to the heart of the matter’, clients say. . . . Stephen Spinks focuses on competition and trade law, with particular expertise in telecoms.” Chambers Global 2009 – Belgium, Competition/Antitrust and Chambers Europe 2009 – Belgium, Competition/European Law

“David Went heads Sidley Austin LLP’s London competition team and has excellent knowledge of cutting-edge issues.”  Chambers UK 2010 – Competition/European Law (London)

“Since arriving in Brussels a few years ago, this firm has continued to build a highly regarded reputation as ‘an excellent competition team with particular strength in trade law.’ The team covers all aspects of competition law, from merger control to defending clients on alleged cartels, and also has good experience in state aid and litigation. The firm's strong competition practice in Europe and the USA is a drawcard for its respected client base . . . . Clients praise it as ‘an amazing team – small but distinctly individual.’ Stephen Kinsella OBE has an outstanding reputation on the Brussels market. Clients stayed loyal to him during his move . . . and he has been involved in a large number of high-profile cases before the Commission and national competition authorities. Clients laud him as ‘a fantastic competition lawyer with great business sense and a flawless ability for risk assessment.’ . . . Stephen Spinks offers vast experience in competition law, with a special focus on telecommunications and trade law, gained over more than 25 years of practice. Clients comment: ‘He is a real intellect - an outstanding lawyer’.” Chambers Europe 2008 – Belgium, Competition/Antitrust

“Stephen Spinks of Sidley Austin LLP is highly knowledgeable of regulatory and European competition law matters related to the TMT sector. He benefits from an impressive background in the Internet and technology sector. . . ”  Chambers Europe 2009 – Belgium, TMT

United States
“Sidley Austin’s antitrust practice remains a dominant force in the market. . . . Its international reach is seen as a great asset. The 37-lawyer Chicago team handles the full range of antitrust work, including litigation, merger clearance and counseling; sources note the amount of senior lawyers in the group, among them managing partner Charles Douglas. He is a well-known trial lawyer with a focus on antitrust matters. Jack Bierig primarily handles healthcare-related antitrust work . . . . Former group head Thomas Ryan handles a lot of counseling . . . . John Treece has taken over as practice head and does a great deal in the pharmaceutical area, much of which is antitrust-related. Peers commend him for his courtroom presence . . . .”   Chambers USA 2009 – Antitrust (Illinois)

“Leading the charge at Sidley Austin LLP‘s DC office is Larry Fullerton, who is noted for his ‘astute business judgment.’ His broad practice covers mergers, counseling and defense in government investigations. Clients feel that his ability to ‘pull together and lead a strong team prepped to handle multijurisdictional reviews’ is one of his key strengths.”  Chambers USA 2008 – Antitrust (District of Columbia)

“New to Sidley Austin LLP, Samuel Miller concentrates on hi-tech antitrust issues. . . .”  Chambers USA 2009 – Antitrust (California)

Asia
“With resources across the USA and Europe, this firm has an intriguing palette of work relating to China. It has achieved major coups, including one of the first US antitrust cases involving a Chinese company. Here the team represented various Chinese government bodies, helping to foster relationships and understanding for the future. Other notable actions include government-sponsored conferences, merger filings, and extensive articles on this sector. The firm is notable for fielding a Greater China managing partner with a clear antitrust background before many other firms had considered sending out antitrust lawyers. William Fifield leads the team from Hong Kong, and since 2005 he has built up the firm’s litigation and antitrust capabilities on the ground.”  Chambers Asia 2009 – China, Competition/Antitrust: International & Hong Kong Firms

GCR 100

“[S]ince Who's Who nominees Stephen Kinsella OBE and Stephen O Spinks launched Sidley Austin LLP's EU competition practice in 2005, the . . . firm has certainly grown, with the partnership expanding from two to four with the promotions of the well-regarded Ken Daly and Kristina Nordlander, as well as with the hiring of additional associates and other specialists. The interface between antitrust and sport is one area the team is staking out.”  Global Competition Review, GCR 100 2009 – Brussels

“The 17-partner Chicago team at Sidley Austin LLP are litigators first and foremost. The firm says its "experience and success in taking large, precedent-setting or ‘bet the company' cases to trial" sets it apart from its peers. . . . [T]he Sidley antitrust team also boasts a portfolio of heath-care clients. . . . Much of this work has been part of the headline-grabbing generic drug litigation in courts all over the country, led by Sidley partner and Who's Who nominee John W Treece. The firm also has a strong real estate practice, including partner Jack Bierig, another Who's Who nominee.”  Global Competition Review, GCR 100 2009 – Illinois

“Sidley Austin’s competition practice is strong on both sides of the Atlantic and this year it added three partners to its global antitrust group, taking its tally of competition specialists to 65. Two partners moved laterally – antitrust and commercial litigation specialist Samuel Miller joined the San Francisco office . . .; Adrienne Pitts joined in Chicago . . . – while litigator Teague Donahey was made partner in San Francisco. This year saw Sidley retained on several major antitrust cases in Europe. . . . Its European practice is led by Stephen Kinsella. ‘Super smart’ and ‘highly recommended’, say sources, Kinsella works from both Brussels and London.”  Global Competition Review, GCR 100 2008

Who’s Who Legal

Three-Time Winner of “Illinois Law Firm of the Year”

Sidley has received Who’s Who Legal’s “Illinois Law Firm of the Year” award each year since the award’s inception in 2007. “In a highly competitive field, receiving the Who’s Who Legal Law Firm of the Year Award for Illinois for a third time is an outstanding achievement. The consistently positive feedback we received recognises the firm’s continuing and exceptional individual and collective talent in this jurisdiction, and we have no hesitation in once again declaring Sidley Austin the leading firm in the state.” Who’s Who Legal Awards 2007, 2008 and 2009 

Six Sidley lawyers are included among Who’s Who Legal’s selection of the most highly recommended antitrust practitioners: Jack Bierig, Stephen Kinsella, Samuel Miller, Thomas Ryan, Stephen Spinks and John Treece.  Who’s Who Legal 2009

“Sidley Austin LLP is also ever-present in our latest research. The firm has a strong international network of offices . . . . John Treece is, according to sources, the 'cream of the crop of the Chicago antitrust Bar' and his performance in our findings backs this up. Tom Ryan . . . was another consistent performer in our research, with superlatives such as 'outstanding', 'first-rate' and 'top-tier' used in conjunction with his name. Both his litigation and counselling work were brought to the attention of researchers with one respondent to the survey recalling the 'excellent job' Ryan performed while the two were on a case together. Jack Bierig completes the trio with a raft of recommendations from clients and peers. Bierig is said to be particularly strong for health-care and IP-related matters. . . .”  Who’s Who Legal 2008 - Competition, Illinois

“The firm’s representatives in the competition chapter are also spread between Brussels and the US. Stephen Kinsella was described as 'the man' and 'extremely smart', and ranks among the most highly nominated individuals in this area worldwide. Stephen Spinks is 'reliable and hugely respected' for this type of work, and John Treece is a global coordinator of the firm’s antitrust and competition practice and “the cream of the crop of the Chicago antitrust bar” in the eyes of our sources. Spinks also appears in the regulatory communications research, one of four partners from the firm to earn representation in multiple chapters.”  Who’s Who Legal ‘70’ - Competition

Benchmark Litigation

National
“Aside from its highly-regarded presence in Chicago, Sidley Austin maintains a foothold in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and District of Columbia litigation. Clients consistently praise the lawyers there. ‘They are committed to customer satisfaction,’ says one client. ‘Their outstanding reputation is justified.’ Not only are some clients pleased with the quality the firm delivers, but clients often seek out partners for intense, all-or-nothing matters. ‘They move mountains to provide hundreds of hours of work to help out at a moment’s notice,’ says one client. ‘They’re extremely responsive.’ . . . The firm houses more than 1,800 lawyers, with hundreds of those dedicated to litigation in all aspects of law. Antitrust and general commercial matters earn national praise. Both groups handle a range of industries in domestic and international cases. . . . ‘Partners here are recognized country-wide as terrific,’ says one client. David Graham receives accolades for his antitrust and securities practice. ‘[He’s] good with complex legal matters,’ says one client. Graham works at the trial level with colleague Joel Mitnick, an accomplished attorney in the New York office well known for his antitrust and securities practices. John Treece, a nationally recognized lawyer, serves as a global coordinator for the firm’s antitrust and competition group. Treece focuses on price-fixing, monopolization and patent matters for major pharmaceutical companies.”  Benchmark Litigation 2009 – National

California
“The west coast presence of the Chicago-based Sidley Austin consists of two California locations: Los Angeles and San Francisco. Now, more than 100 of the firm’s 750 litigators practice from either office. The firm, known for its well-rounded and full-service litigation practice, bolstered its group with the recent addition of three lateral partners. . . . Samuel Miller is a recent addition to the San Francisco office, whose extensive experience in antitrust matters was echoed during his time as lead counsel for the antitrust division of the DOJ.”  Benchmark Litigation 2009 – California

Illinois
“Consistently praised for its litigation practice, Sidley Austin remains a force in the Chicago trial arena. One client says of the Chicago group, ‘[You] always have a feeling of confidence when they’re handling a case.’ Many clients also praised Sidley Austin lawyer’s effective communications methods. With more than 200 lawyers practicing complex commercial matters, the firm is readily able to handle any client request. The lawyers have a wide breadth of experience in all matters of litigation including, antitrust, class action litigation, commodities, white-collar criminal, corporate takeovers, environmental, government contracts, insurance coverage, real estate and securities, among others. . . . Charles Douglas is called “one of the preeminent trial lawyers in the country” by one client.”  Benchmark Litigation 2009 – Illinois

New York
“Chicago-based Sidley Austin has more than 400 lawyers, roughly 100 of which reside in its successful New York office. Complex commercial and antitrust matters remain strong at the firm, with intellectual property and white-collar criminal investigations continuing a steady growth. . . . Clients praise the firm for its ‘high quality work’ in handling their ‘broad needs’ on different types of litigation. Joel Mitnick focuses his work on antitrust and securities matters, and has experience from starting as an attorney for the FTC. He often counsels clients on merger and acquisition agreements.”  Benchmark Litigation 2009 – New York

The Legal 500

“ ‘Responsive, professional and very business-orientated’, Sidley Austin LLP’s ‘outstanding’ antitrust group continues to build its reputation in the market following some significant results for high-profile clients from a broad spectrum of industries. Its Chicago headquarters continues to be the driving force behind the practice, but it is increasingly national in scope as evidenced by thriving New York, Washington DC and San Francisco offices. ‘Sidley Austin LLP stands out from other law firms in the area of antitrust due to its tireless commitment to providing cost-effective litigation services’, say clients. ‘From staffing to strategy, they make every effort to provide the type of legal services that today’s value-driven corporate clients demand’. Leveraging the firm’s overarching capital markets expertise, the New York office is regularly instructed by financial institutions in relation to significant counseling concerns, as well as big-ticket litigation. . . . A thriving Brussels office and significant Asian footprint enable the practice to handle the increasingly international complexion of antitrust work. . . . ‘Highly professional’, say clients, Washington DC-based partner Lawrence Fullerton advises domestic and foreign corporations across a raft of domestic and cross-border contentious and non-contentious matters. ‘Seemingly available at all hours of the day and night’, San Francisco-based partner Samuel Miller runs a litigation practice with a considerable antitrust slant. Instructed by an impressive list of high-tech companies . . . ‘his sincere efforts to be personally invested in the outcome of our cases is rare in the corporate legal market’. Instructed by an array of financial institutions, New York-based litigator Joel Mitnick ‘is a very good resource on antitrust matters, given his substantive knowledge of the law in that area’, say clients. Chicago-based partner David Graham is ‘a very effective trial lawyer and strategist’, who is regularly involved in significant antitrust litigation.”  The Legal 500 United States 2009, Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts - Antitrust

“Sidley Austin LLP’s acknowledged force, Stephen Kinsella, regarded as ‘very bright’ and ‘an excellent partner’, now divides his time between London and Brussels. Stephen Spinks remains active for ACT in the Microsoft appeal against their €899 million penalty award and partnerships for Ken Daly and Kristina Nordlander show that ‘they have good individuals coming up the ranks.’ Client praise was undivided: Daly is the ‘best competition and sports lawyer in Europe, with great legal and strategic advice.’ Nordlander has ‘a very strong personal network of EU contacts which enhance her effectiveness’. Overall, the practice ‘combines know-how with driving issues proactively and innovatively, without selling the unnecessary’.”  Legal 500 EMEA 2009 – Belgium, Competition

PLC Cross-Border Life Sciences Handbook

Sidley’s antitrust practice features among those recommended by PLC Cross-Border Life Sciences Handbook 2009/10, in both the USA and EU competition categories. Worldwide, sixteen Sidley lawyers are individually recognized and praised as leading life sciences practitioners in their jurisdictions.  PLC Cross-Border Life Sciences Handbook 2009/10

IFLR1000

Sidley’s EU competition practice features among those recommended in IFLR 1000 and Stephen Kinsella is named as a “leading lawyer”. “ ‘I see them a lot,’ says one rival partner. ‘I expect a lot from them in the next couple of years.’ . . . Established only in 2003, Sidley Austin is clearly on the rise. Ken Daly was promoted to partner in July 2008, as was Kristina Nordlander.”  IFLR1000 2010, Western Europe (Regional Rankings): EU Competition

PLC Cross-Border Competition Handbook

Sidley's Competition practice features among those recommended in the PLC Cross-Border Competition Handbook 2009. Nine Sidley lawyers are individually recognized and praised as leaders in their jurisdictions, including: Stephen Kinsella, Stephen Spinks, Ken Daly, Kristina Nordlander, Larry Fullerton, John Treece, Jack Bierig, Charles Douglas and Thomas Ryan.  PLC Cross-Border Competition Handbook 2009

The National Law Journal Names Sidley a “Hot Litigation Firm”

In a special July 2007 issue, the National Law Journal presented its third annual Defense Hot List of law firms that have conducted exemplary, cutting-edge defense work. Sidley was named to the “Hot Litigation” list for its work for Johnson & Johnson in Applied Medical Resources Corp. v. Ethicon Inc. (C.D. Calif. 2006), an antitrust suit in which the plaintiff challenged J&J's “bundled” discounts on sutures and endo-mechanical products, whereby discounts are dependent on a hospital’s commitment to purchase most of its needs for multiple product lines from J&J. Sidley's John Treece teamed up with James W. Quinn of Weil, Gotshal & Manges as lead co-counsel and tried the case in the summer of 2006. After a 6-week trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of J&J. The company was then able to settle two related cases on extremely favorable terms, including the settlement of a $5.4 billion claim for $11 million.  National Law Journal July 2007

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