2025 Vault Rankings
About Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP
One of the top antitrust firms in the country, Axinn keeps it simple, working across three main practice areas: antitrust, intellectual property and litigation. The firm has three offices on the East Coast and one out west.
From Big to SmallÂ
Axinn was founded in 1997 by three lawyers from Skadden, including Steve Axinn, the founder and chairman of Skadden's antitrust department. They quickly attracted a select group of lawyers from other preeminent firms—all experienced and successful in achieving their clients' strategic objectives in a trial setting, government regulatory setting, or a negotiated or mediated setting. 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 over a dozen institutional investors. The National Law Journal has named Axinn to its Midsize Hot List a whopping four times. And the firm has been recognized by Chambers for its antitrust work both nationally and in specific regions, as well as 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, including the representation of insurance companies and other institutional investors regarding investment products such as mortgage-backed securities. Axinn represents many of the world’s leading hedge fund, insurers, private equity firms and mutual funds.Â
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.
114 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 728-2200
Managing Partner: Matthew Becker
Total No. Attorneys (2021):
50 - 100
New York; San Francisco; Washington, DC
1st year: $190,000
2nd year: $200,000
Summer Associate: $3,653.85/week
Hartford
1st year: $175,000
2nd year: $180,000
Summer Associate: $3,365.38/week
Rachel Rosado
Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development
(860) 275-8100
recruiting@axinn.com
General Recruiting Email: recruiting@axinn.com
No. of U.S. Offices: 4
No. of International Offices: 0
Hartford, CT
New York, NY (HQ)
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC
Antitrust
Intellectual Property
Litigation