International law firm McDermott Will & Emery today announced that one of the nation’s leading antitrust attorneys, Allan Van Fleet, will join the Firm as a partner in Houston as a member of its Antitrust & Competition Practice Group. Mr. Van Fleet and associate Nicholas G. Grimmer join McDermott from the Houston office of an AmLaw 10 law firm. The two will join McDermott partner and former Department of Justice Antitrust Division Deputy Assistant Attorney General Alison Smith and her team in Houston, a “go-to” antitrust firm in Texas.

Mr. Van Fleet is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law and is recognized both nationally and internationally as a preeminent antitrust lawyer and litigator. He achieved a First Tier ranking by Chambers USA in Texas Antitrust, and was described by Chambers as an “’[e]xceptionally good lawyer’…with a sterling reputation for antitrust litigation, compliance programs, [and] transactional advice.” He has also been ranked highly by Best Lawyers in America and Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Competition and Antitrust Lawyers. In addition, he has been recognized by PLC Which Lawyer? and Super Lawyers magazine as one of the most highly recommended business litigators in Texas.

“We are thrilled to welcome Allan and Nick as we continue to build our practice as a global powerhouse,” said Joseph Winterscheid, partner and head of McDermott’s global Antitrust and Competition Practice Group. “Allan’s arrival enhances our national and international profile and capability, and with Alison Smith, our Houston-based antitrust team is second-to-none.

Mr. Van Fleet has more than 30 years’ experience in antitrust litigation matters, and an impressive track record in securing merger clearances for clients across a number of industries. In addition to antitrust litigation and counseling, his practice includes transactional matters and representing clients before federal, state and international enforcement agencies. Mr. Van Fleet has represented large and small companies and government bodies in a variety of industries, including computer hardware and software, internet services, telecommunications, biotechnology, energy, food and beverage, financial services and many more. His background also spans IP litigation and international litigation and arbitration matters.

“Allan brings a tremendous pedigree of senior-level experience and knowledge to our Houston office,“ said Steven Spears, managing partner of McDermott’s Houston office. “It has always been our goal in Houston to build this office around the very best attorneys Texas has to offer. With these two great additions, we continue to grow our office across multiple disciplines to offer a full suite of top tier legal services.”

Commenting on his move, Mr. Van Fleet stated: “I am very excited about joining McDermott. Not only is it a preeminent, international law firm in terms of the quality and breadth of its core legal services, but it has an exemplary record in service to the community through its commitment to pro bono activities.” McDermott partner Alison Smith added: “I am delighted to welcome Allan and Nick to McDermott. They are exceptionally talented lawyers who enhance our antitrust and litigation practices not only in Houston, but domestically and internationally as well.”

Mr. Van Fleet received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, graduating first in his class, and a B.A. from Rice University. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as multiple U.S. Courts of Appeals , including the District of Columbia Circuit and Federal Circuit.

McDermott’s Antitrust & Competition Practice Group has broad experience in all aspects of antitrust and competition law. Ranked among the top 10 in size, the practice has lawyers with significant antitrust and competition experience in its Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Orange County, Milan, New York and Washington D.C. offices, and through our strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai. The practice includes partners who have held senior positions in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and State Attorney General’s Offices for Antitrust. McDermott lawyers regularly represent clients before antitrust and competition enforcement agencies in the United States, Europe and China and in U.S., European and Chinese courts.

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