One of the top antitrust firms in the country, Axinn keeps it simple, working across three main practice areas: antitrust, intellectual property (IP), and litigation. The firm has three offices on the East Coast and one in the West.

From Big to Small 

Axinn was founded in 1997 by three lawyers from Skadden, including Steve Axinn, the founder and chairman of Skadden's antitrust department. The founders quickly attracted a select group of lawyers from other preeminent firms. These attorneys were experienced and successful in achieving their clients' strategic objectives at trial and in government regulatory settings and through negotiation and mediation. Notwithstanding its boutique size, Axinn is called upon to handle its clients' largest and most strategically important matters.

But Not Too Small

Axinn has quickly risen to the ranks of the big firms, winning clients such as Google, Thermo Fisher, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Tyson, Ball, Hexcel, Silver Lake Partners, The Hartford, over a dozen major pharmaceutical companies, and more than a dozen institutional investors. The National Law Journal named Axinn to its Midsize Hot List four times, and Chambers recognized Axinn for its antitrust work with both nationwide and specific-region rankings and for its litigation work in Connecticut.

The firm is well-known for its antitrust prowess, making it a go-to firm for clients seeking help with combinations, antitrust litigation, and criminal investigations relating to antitrust. The firm also offers counseling to help clients with compliance and strategic goal planning. Axinn’s antitrust group has played a starring role in many news-making cases, including its representation of Dell in its $67 billion acquisition of EMC, Thermo Fisher in its $13.2 billion acquisition of Life Technologies and 2.1 billion acquisition of Dionex, Ball Corporation in its $6.85 billion acquisition of Rexam PLC, and Cingular Wireless in its $41 billion acquisition of AT&T Wireless. Axinn also oversaw Google's $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility and $700 million acquisition of ITA Software.

Axinn is home to a standout litigation team. The firm has litigated and tried numerous major cases in the financial services industry, representing insurance companies and other institutional investors with respect to investment products such as mortgage-backed securities. Axinn represents many of the world’s leading hedge funds, insurers, private equity firms, and mutual funds. The firm also boasts a robust IP practice, with particular strength in patents and patent litigation. Axinn lawyers also offer patent counseling, helping clients with their IP portfolios and strategic business plans.

At the Core

Axinn takes attorney development seriously with both hands-on learning and extensive training based on core competencies. The firm’s offerings include litigation skills training, including programs on depositions, e-discovery, trial prep, legal writing, and oral communication. In addition, Axinn offers practice-specific training and programs related to antitrust.