Leading Antitrust Lawyer David Pearl Joins HSF Kramer

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) announced today that prominent antitrust attorney David Pearl has joined the firm’s Washington, DC office as a partner.

Pearl’s hire is the latest in the firm’s US investment strategy, following the arrival of John Elias in its Washington, DC office last October and Burr Eckstut in New York last September.

Pearl will focus on advising clients on high-stakes contentious and noncontentious antitrust issues, including litigation, investigations, cross-border merger reviews and foreign direct investment. He brings nearly 20 years’ experience in both the private and government sectors — experience that supports our priority to grow antitrust capabilities in the US as well as globally. Pearl is the latest in a great line of antitrust partners to join the firm globally: Laurence Bary joined in Paris and Liza Carver rejoined in Sydney last year following her role as a Commissioner of the ACCC.

Pearl joins the firm from Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, where he was a partner. Prior to that, he served as an antitrust associate at Jones Day before moving to the US Department of the Treasury, where he helped advance policy initiatives in coordination with the White House and other federal agencies.

Pearl has extensive experience with Sherman Act Section 1 and Section 2 cases, including representing Google in litigations and investigations concerning its advertising technology business practices and representing Tyson Foods Inc. in a treble-damages class action alleging an industrywide conspiracy to manipulate the price of certain products. He also helps clients navigate review by competition authorities of complex mergers and acquisitions. Examples include AssuredPartners in its US$13.45 billion acquisition by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Stanley Black & Decker in its US$2 billion acquisition of MTD Holdings Inc. and Goodrich Corporation in its US$18.4 billion merger with United Technologies Corp. Pearl has advised clients on matters before the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and international competition authorities in Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and beyond.

Justin D’Agostino, Global CEO of HSF Kramer, said: “David’s arrival underscores the momentum of our growth strategy in the US and our broader ambitions for our antitrust practice. His extensive experience, including in the tech sector where we have many clients, enhances our strength in the US and builds on the outstanding talent we are assembling across our global platform.”

“Our clients’ need for sophisticated antitrust representation only continues to grow. David’s experience litigating cross-border matters and advising on complex merger issues will immediately benefit our clients doing business around the world,” said Paul H. Schoeman, HSF Kramer’s US Executive Partner.

Kyriakos Fountoukakos, Managing Partner of Competition, Regulation and Trade at HSF Kramer, said: “David has a proven track record of success in both contentious and noncontentious antitrust matters and in key, complex markets globally. He will be a fantastic addition to our global team.”

“I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to build a full-service US antitrust group within HSF Kramer’s global platform. I look forward to working with John, Kyriakos and the rest of the team to expand the firm’s first-class competition practice in the US and be able to provide clients with a truly worldwide offering,” said Pearl.

Pearl earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.S., cum laude, from UCLA.

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 over 6,000 people, including 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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