James W. Attridge
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James (“Jimmy”) Attridge – former Chief of Staff of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, and federal prosecutor – represents clients in cartel investigations, antitrust litigation, and complex merger reviews. Drawing on his government experience under multiple administrations, Jimmy provides a strategic and comprehensive perspective on a wide range of government investigations and litigation.

Lauded by clients in The Legal 500 United States for his work representing both companies and individuals in cartel matters, Jimmy is adept at navigating antitrust compliance issues, cartel investigations and defense, and follow-on civil litigation. He also counsels clients on engaging with the DOJ in a range of areas where the Antitrust Division has committed to heightened enforcement, including merger reviews, civil conduct investigations, and interlocking directorates.

As Chief of Staff of the Antitrust Division, Jimmy was a key advisor on policy changes, investigations, and enforcement efforts. He managed a team of advisors, oversaw work product ranging from articles to speeches, and represented the Division with fellow antitrust enforcers and within the DOJ. As Counsel, he 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 stint at the DOJ.

Prior to his government service, Jimmy practiced in the antitrust department of a global law firm. After graduating from the Georgetown University Law Center, Jimmy was a law clerk for the Honorable Liam O’Grady of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. During law school, Jimmy was a Charles H. March Fellow and law clerk for Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz. 

Clerkships

  • Hon. Liam O’Grady, US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Law Clerk (2011 – 2012)
  • Office of Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Charles H. March Fellow & Law Clerk (2009)

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association, Antitrust Law Section, International Cartel Task Force (2023 – Present)
  • Dartmouth College, Sailing Team Advisory Board (2012 – Present)

Experience

Private Practice

  • Representing Ball Corporation in its $5.6 billion sale of its aerospace division to BAE Systems.
  • Representing an executive in an international cartel investigation.
  • Advising multiple Fortune 500 companies on the design and implementation of global antitrust compliance programs.

  • Represented corporate leniency applicant in an Antitrust Division no-poach investigation.

  • Conducted internal investigations in industries ranging from consumer goods and manufacturing, to health care 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 the auto parts criminal investigation and follow-on civil multidistrict litigation (MDL).

  • 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 antitrust conduct investigation resulting in the government’s suspension of the investigation.

More

  • 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 semi-conductors.


Government

  • Advised the Assistant Attorney General on policy, investigations, and enforcement amid a record-breaking number of merger filings, investigations, and litigation.
  • Advised on criminal investigations and ongoing litigation involving labor, public procurement, agriculture, and healthcare matters.
  • Trained and engaged with antitrust enforcers around the world on cartel investigation practices and policy issues.
  • Analyzed, investigated, and prosecuted violations of fraud and competition laws in the shipping, healthcare, agriculture, and real estate industries.
  • Obtained convictions in a $25 million bid-rigging scheme involving online auctions.

* Includes matters handled prior to joining Axinn

Honors

  • The Legal 500 United States (2023)
  • Federal Trade Commission Award for Meritorious Service
  • Federal Trade Commission Annual Janet D. Steiger Award

Education

  • JD – Georgetown University Law Center (2011)
  • BA – Dartmouth College (2007)

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia
  • US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • US District Court District of Columbia
  • US District Court Eastern District of Virginia

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