Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Michael Murray, one of the most senior antitrust lawyers in the Department of Justice (DOJ), has joined the firm as a partner based in Washington, D.C. He served most recently as the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Antitrust Division at DOJ. The addition of Mr. Murray brings further depth to the firm’s commitment to supporting its clients’ transactional strategies and helping them meet regulatory challenges in today’s highly competitive global marketplace.
His arrival follows that of partner Gary Zanfagna, Chair of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section and former Chief Antitrust Counsel at Honeywell International, who joined the firm earlier this year.
“Companies pursuing growth through strategic M&A face a complex landscape of antitrust issues and regulatory regimes, and they require strategic legal advisors to guide their transactions to success,” said Seth Zachary, Chairman of Paul Hastings. “With his significant government experience, both in supervising antitrust investigations and in coordinating with international competition agencies, Michael adds further depth to our global Antitrust and Competition practice. He also brings impressive litigation expertise to the firm from his time in the Antitrust Division and as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s office.”
“Paul Hastings’ incredible momentum, growth, and spirit of collaboration were all very attractive to me,” said Mr. Murray. “I am excited to join forces with my new colleagues as we continue to expand the firm’s Antitrust and Competition practice and help clients navigate today’s evolving regulatory environment.”
As the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, Mr. Murray oversaw all merger and conduct matters and all criminal matters from investigation through trial and appeal. He supervised merger challenges and settlements, and led a significant monopolization complaint, as well as one of the largest consent decree enforcement matters. During his tenure, Mr. Murray argued the largest vertical merger appeal and one of the most significant competition appeals (FTC v. Qualcomm) in decades. He also led case coordination and policy development with international competition agencies. Prior to his role in the DOJ Antitrust Division, he served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, where he oversaw the Antitrust and Civil Divisions and the Office of Legal Policy, as well as criminal law, white collar, and regulatory reform policy matters. His previous experience also includes serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Paul Hastings’ Antitrust and Competition practice is recognized by Global Competition Review and Chambers USA as a trusted advisor to leading companies around the world. The practice brings together former U.S. federal prosecutors, former in-house antitrust counsel, and international competition lawyers to defend clients’ interests across jurisdictions. The practice has handled civil antitrust cases in more than 35 U.S. states and territories, and defended more than 15 transcontinental cartel investigations over the past several years.
At Paul Hastings, our purpose is clear — to help our clients and people navigate new paths to growth. With a strong presence throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., Paul Hastings is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative global law firms.
