Former Senior DOJ Antitrust Lawyer John Elias Joins HSF Kramer

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading global law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer announced today that John Elias, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Antitrust Division, has joined the firm's Washington, DC office as an antitrust partner. Elias brings nearly two decades of wide-ranging experience and will focus on antitrust counseling, antitrust advice and merger filings in transactional matters, investigations, and litigation.

Elias served with the federal government for 18 years, most recently as a DOJ executive leader and supervisor of the Antitrust Division’s appellate, international, and policy work. Earlier in his career, he held roles with the Division’s Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section and the Criminal Section, where he obtained the then-largest-ever criminal penalty—US$195 million—for a domestic antitrust cartel in U.S. v. Sandoz.

At HSF Kramer, Elias will advise businesses and individuals on the full spectrum of antitrust challenges from government enforcers and private litigants.

Elias' hire follows the addition of Burr Eckstut, who joined the firm in September to head the US Technology Transactions practice from HSF Kramer’s office in New York, US.

Elias joins a growing global team of high-profile and renowned antitrust practitioners.

Earlier this year in Sydney, HSF Kramer welcomed back partner Liza Carver, who re-joined the firm having spent over three years as a Commissioner at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission — the independent statutory authority with responsibility for competition and consumer law enforcement and merger control in Australia.

In Paris, the firm added partner Laurence Bary, further bolstering the firm’s top-tier global antitrust practice.

Justin D’Agostino, Global CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, said: “We are delivering on our ambitious growth strategy in the US. John’s arrival strengthens our US antitrust capabilities, and is an important addition to our Washington, DC team.”

“John joins a cohort of leading antitrust lawyers from across our global network,” Justin said.

“We have seen growing demand for our antitrust expertise domestically and internationally. John’s experience at the DOJ litigating critical antitrust matters and shaping the agency’s policies will be a tremendous asset to clients as they navigate an increasingly challenging regulatory environment,” said Paul H. Schoeman, HSF Kramer’s US Executive Partner.

Kyriakos Fountoukakos, Managing Partner of Competition, Regulation and Trade at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, said: "John is a cornerstone hire in the US and for our global antitrust capabilities. He will be instrumental in helping clients navigate cross-border antitrust laws.”

Elias said: “I am excited to join HSF Kramer and its growing antitrust practice. Companies today face heightened scrutiny and increasing global coordination among regulators. By drawing on my government experience, I look forward to providing clients with comprehensive counselling that helps them anticipate risks, respond effectively to investigations, and pursue their transaction and business objectives with confidence.”

Elias earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School and his B.A., cum laude from Yale University.

About Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) was formed in June 2025 through the transformational combination of Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin, creating a world-leading global law firm. With 2,700 lawyers and spanning 26 offices, HSF Kramer provides comprehensive legal services across every major region of the world. Uniquely positioned to help clients achieve ambitious objectives, HSF Kramer delivers exceptional results in complex transactions and high-stakes disputes.

For more information visit www.hsfkramer.com
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