
James W. Attridge
Partner
James (“Jimmy”) Attridge is an antitrust partner trusted to guide clients through government and internal investigations, civil and criminal litigation, complex merger reviews, and developing and implementing compliance programs. With deep government experience across the Trump and Biden administrations – including as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and a federal prosecutor – Jimmy has helped clients successfully navigate some of the most challenging government investigations and litigation by the DOJ, FTC, and state attorneys general.
James W. Attridge
Partner
James (“Jimmy”) Attridge is an antitrust partner trusted to guide clients through government and internal investigations, civil and criminal litigation, complex merger reviews, and developing and implementing compliance programs. With deep government experience across the Trump and Biden administrations – including as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and a federal prosecutor – Jimmy has helped clients successfully navigate some of the most challenging government investigations and litigation by the DOJ, FTC, and state attorneys general.

Praised by clients as an “outstanding,” “creative,” and “connected” lawyer for his “deep knowledge,” “practical” and “client-focused” advice, and “extraordinary client service,” Jimmy has been recognized as a top antitrust lawyer worldwide by Chambers Global and Lawdragon, and in Global Competition Review’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list of leading antitrust practitioners around the globe.
Clients trust Jimmy’s guidance defending companies and executives in antitrust and fraud investigations and litigation, including successfully closing novel investigations into algorithmic collusion, cross-border price fixing, and allegations of labor-market collusion, consistently ranking him among the top nationwide lawyers in Chambers USA, The Legal 500 United States, and Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America.
He has also been recognized by Chambers and Washingtonian Magazine as a top Washington antitrust lawyer, lauded for his “command of policy” and “unique insight” and “valuable” understanding of “the inner workings of the DOJ.” He’s also a recognized thought leader, winning the Concurrences Antitrust Writing Award and Mondaq Thought Leadership Award for his top-tier analysis in antitrust law.
During his time as chief of staff of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, Jimmy was a key player in shaping policy, leading investigations, and driving enforcement efforts. He managed a team of advisors, oversaw work product ranging from articles to speeches, and represented the Antitrust Division with fellow enforcers and within the DOJ. As counsel, Jimmy advised senior leaders on a record-high docket of criminal investigations and litigation, including scores of recommendations to open and resolve investigations, grant leniency, and seek indictments. Additionally, he implemented policy changes to bring criminal charges for collusion in the labor markets, to incentivize and assess corporate compliance, and to create the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, an interagency effort to detect and prosecute cartels and fraud affecting government procurement. Jimmy also served as a criminal prosecutor during his time at the DOJ.
Before his government service, Jimmy practiced in the antitrust department of a global law firm. He clerked for the Honorable Liam O’Grady at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia after graduating from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was also a Charles H. March Fellow and clerked for Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) Chairman Jon Leibowitz.
Experience
Private Practice
- Representing companies and executives in international and domestic cartel investigations involving algorithmic collusion, public procurement, price fixing, bid rigging, and labor-market collusion.
- Advising multiple Fortune 500 companies on the design and implementation of global antitrust compliance programs.
- Currently defending a multi-family real estate investment company in a DOJ criminal investigation and civil litigation involving allegations of information exchange and price fixing via algorithms.
- Represented funds managed by Greenbriar Equity Group in connection with the sale of oil change operator Breeze Autocare to Valvoline Inc.
- Represented Ball Corporation in its $5.6 billion sale of its aerospace division to BAE Systems.
- Represented a corporate leniency applicant in an Antitrust Division no-poach investigation.
- Conducted internal investigations in industries ranging from consumer goods and manufacturing to healthcare and technology for issues including price fixing, labor-market collusion, and fraud.
- Represented an individual in a white collar investigation by a U.S. attorney’s office.
- Represented Corning Inc. in an auto parts criminal investigation and follow-on civil multidistrict litigation.
- Represented a global industrial company in an international cartel investigation involving the European Commission and other global enforcement agencies.
- Defended against actions alleging monopolization and conspiracy, suits seeking to enjoin mergers and acquisitions, and follow-on private litigation.
- Defended a pharmaceutical company in an antitrust conduct investigation resulting in the government’s suspension of the investigation.
- Represented a third party in the FTC’s administrative litigation against Microsoft/Activision.
- Advised parties and third parties in global merger reviews in support of transactions across a range of industries, from beer to semiconductors.
Honors
- Chambers Global, Antitrust: Cartel (2025 – 2026)
- Chambers USA, District of Columbia: Antitrust (2025 – 2026)
- Chambers USA, Nationwide: Antitrust Cartel (2024 – 2026)
- Global Competition Review, "40 Under 40" (2024)
- Lawdragon, “500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers” (2025 – 2026)
- Lawdragon, "500 Leading Litigators in America" (2025 – 2026)
- Lawdragon, 500 X – "The Next Generation" (2024 – 2025)
- The Legal 500 United States, Antitrust – Civil Litigation/Class Action: Defense (2023); Antitrust – Merger Control (2023 – 2026); Antitrust – Cartel (2023 – 2026)
- Washingtonian Magazine, "Top Lawyers" List (2024)
- Winner, Mondaq Thought Leadership Awards (Spring 2024)
- Winner, Concurrences Legal Writing Award (2024)
- FTC Award for Meritorious Service
- FTC Annual Janet D. Steiger Award
Education
- JD – Georgetown University Law Center (2011)
- BA – Dartmouth College (2007)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. District Court District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Quotes
Jimmy is a creative and connected lawyer.
Chambers USA
James's understanding of the inner workings of the DOJ is valuable.
Chambers USA
Jimmy is very knowledgeable. His advice always takes into account the business impact of any decision.
Chambers USA
Jimmy is an outstanding cartel lawyer.
Chambers USA
His command of policy and understanding how to represent his clients are impressive.
Chambers USA
Jimmy is very astute and quick. He thinks on his feet.
Chambers USA
News & Insights
News & Insights
ABA 2026 Antitrust International Cartel Workshop
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
Axinn Earns Recognition in the Legal 500 2026 U.S. Guide for Antitrust and Litigation
News
Antitrust
Axinn Expands Chambers USA Rankings Across Practices and Individuals in 2026 Guide
News
Antitrust
“Old Crime, New Code” – DOJ Outlines its Views on When Software and AI Can Facilitate Collusion
Axinn Viewpoints
Antitrust
DOJ’S Revised Antitrust Corporate Compliance Guidance: A Year in Review
Byline Articles
Antitrust
Conspiracy Theories Newsletter, 2026 Edition
Byline Articles
Antitrust
SCCE 14th Annual European Compliance & Ethics Institute
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
Two Axinn Partners Ranked in Chambers Global 2026
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
DOJ’s First Antitrust Whistleblower Payout Signals a New Enforcement Playbook
Axinn Viewpoints
Antitrust
Lawdragon Names 27 Axinn Attorneys to its 2026 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers Guide
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust





