Debbie Feinstein, Former Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, to Rejoin Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer
WASHINGTON, DC, July 12, 2017 -- Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP announced today that Debbie Feinstein, former Director of the Bureau of Competition at the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), will rejoin the firm as partner in early September 2017, resident in the Washington office. She will lead the firm's Global Antitrust Group.
As the FTC's Director of the Bureau of Competition from June 2013 to March 2017, Ms. Feinstein was responsible for supervising the investigation and enforcement of the US antitrust laws against anticompetitive practices and mergers. During her tenure, the FTC had exceptional litigation success, securing injunctions against Sysco Corp.'s acquisition of rival US Foods, and Staples' merger with Office Depot. Under her leadership, the Commission also secured important court victories in its challenges to health care mergers and continued its efforts to protect competition in the pharmaceutical sector.
Ms. Feinstein is the third high-ranking antitrust official from government to agree to rejoin the firm in the last two months. In May, both Bill Baer, former Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Acting Associate Attorney General, and Sonia Pfaffenroth, former DOJ Deputy Assistant General for Civil and Criminal Operations, announced their return.
"Debbie's return continues to reinforce Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer's position as one of the foremost antitrust practices in the country. We couldn't be more delighted to welcome her back home to the firm," said Richard M. Alexander, Chair of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer.
"Debbie is universally regarded as one of the leading antitrust lawyers in the country. Her expertise in mergers, antitrust litigation, and counseling uniquely position her to help clients navigate compliance with antitrust laws here and around the world," said Bill Baer. "No one works harder, has better judgment, or is as highly respected by enforcers than Debbie Feinstein."
Ms. Feinstein was an associate at Arnold & Porter from 1987 to 1989 and from 1991 to 1995. From 1989 to 1991 she served at the FTC as Assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Competition and Attorney Advisor. She was a partner at Arnold & Porter from 1995 to 2013, leading the firm's US Antitrust Group from 2010 to 2013. Her practice focused on civil investigations and litigation, including merger and acquisition reviews by antitrust enforcement agencies in the United States and globally. Ms. Feinstein has represented clients in a range of industry sectors, including retail, food, consumer products, healthcare, medical devices, chemicals, industrial equipment and services, and automotive parts, primarily focusing on matters before the DOJ and the FTC.
Ms. Feinstein has been consistently lauded as a leading practitioner by Chambers USA and other ranking publications. The National Law Journal named her one of the most influential women lawyers in America, and Global Competition Review recognized her as global "Lawyer of the Year" and named her to its international list of the "Top 100 Women in Antitrust." She has also been ranked by Super Lawyers as being among the top 50 women lawyers in Washington, DC.
"I look forward to returning to the firm, advising and counseling clients on significant matters before the DOJ and the FTC," said Ms. Feinstein. "Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer's multi-disciplinary approach will allow me to work closely with colleagues across the firm's global offices to best serve the needs of our clients."
Ms. Feinstein received her AB from the University of California at Berkeley and her JD from Harvard Law School.
About Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer
With nearly 1,000 lawyers practicing in 13 offices around the globe, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP serves clients across 40 distinct practice areas. The combined firm, which draws upon the legacies of both Arnold & Porter and Kaye Scholer, brings together 100 years of renowned regulatory expertise, sophisticated litigation and transactional practices, and leading multidisciplinary offerings in the life sciences and financial services industries.