Axinn was featured as an “Elite” firm in Global Competition Review’s 2016 “New York’s Competition Bar” rankings. The New York practice led by John Harkrider was described as “a team that punches above its weight” for its role in guiding some of 2015’s most significant antitrust transactions to regulatory approval both in the United States and abroad.
Pallavi Guniganti, Deputy Editor, Americas at GCR specifically highlighted the firm’s representation of The Ball Corporation in its $6.7 billion acquisition of Rexam. The profile also underscored the firm’s role as lead antitrust and global coordinating counsel in Dell’s $67 billion acquisition of EMC Corporation, as well as the antitrust practice’s representation of Caraustar in its acquisition of The Newark Group and SunGuard’s $9 billion sale to Fidelity National Information Services.
In addition to the firm’s merger matters, Axinn was lauded for its work in antitrust litigation, including its role as lead defense counsel in a monopolization case brought against Stanley Black & Decker.
In total, GCR divided 22 New York antitrust practices into three groups:
- Six firms, including Axinn, were identified as “Elite,” or top tier, antitrust practices
- Ten firms were identified as “Highly Recommended,” the second-highest category
- An additional six firms were in the “Recommended” category
“We are honored that GCR, the world’s leading antitrust journal, has again recognized Axinn as one of the very best firms,” says Axinn’s Managing Partner James Veltrop. “Our team has recently handled some extraordinarily challenging matters. Many observers predicted that the Ball acquisition would never gain approval and Dell’s acquisition of EMC ranks as the largest technology deal in history. I’m proud that GCR recognized our lawyers for their talents and the successful outcomes.”
Earlier this month, GCR recognized Axinn as “Firm of the Year – Americas.” Axinn was also shortlisted for the “Matter of the Year” award and John Harkrider was shortlisted the publication’s “Lawyer of the Year” award.