Associate - Litigation & Trial - Antitrust & Competition (Transactional/ Merger Control)

the Practice Group; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 225,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Latham & Watkins is seeking highly qualified associates with a minimum of four years of antitrust and competition law experience to join our Antitrust & Competition practice. The ideal candidate will have substantial merger control experience, including HSR filings, Second Requests, and merger investigations.

Candidates should be comfortable managing significant aspects of the antitrust review process for complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including regulatory filings, agency

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of experience in antitrust/competition law.
• Substantial merger control experience, including HSR filings and Second Requests.
• Ability to manage significant parts of the review process for complex domestic and cross-border transactions.

Responsibilities

• Manage key elements of the antitrust review for complex domestic and cross-border deals, including filings, investigations, and document productions.

Skills

Merger control experience

HSR filings

Second Requests

Coordination with economists

Regulatory filings

Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers globally and offer unmatched expertise and resources to help you grow from an intellectually curious self-starter into an exceptional lawyer. If you aspire to be the best, this is where you belong.

About the Practice Group

Latham’s globally top-ranked Antitrust & Competition Practice helps clients navigate the world’s antitrust regimes, secure merger approvals, and avoid, resolve, or defeat challenges from litigants and enforcement bodies. We solve the most vexing antitrust and competition challenges companies face. Our integrated team brings deep experience across every aspect of antitrust and competition law, everywhere in the world. We address all dimensions of risk locally and across borders. Our team includes practitioners and enforcers with experience shaping and enforcing antitrust laws in the major global jurisdictions, helping clients clear make-or-break mergers and defend against high-stakes enforcement and litigation actions. Our deep bench of first-chair antitrust litigators and trial lawyers regularly defeat or resolve competition and trade-related litigation brought against corporations and governments in venues throughout the world. We defend clients facing the full spectrum of charges in private and public damages litigation, competitor actions, class actions, and administrative actions. Our team represents some of the world’s leading multinational companies, which informs our practical and commercial approach. As one of the most experienced merger clearance practices in the world, we operate at the center of global merger and buyout activity, representing some of the largest and most active dealmakers. We secure hundreds of merger clearances every year and regularly handle Second Requests in the US and Phase II proceedings before the European Commission and EU Member State authorities. Our fearsome courtroom reputation serves as a powerful incentive for agencies and opponents to work constructively with our clients. We regularly defend clients facing government investigations and enforcement actions, including cartel, price-fixing, abuse of dominance, and unfair competition charges. We have defeated cases brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the European Commission (EC) in court. Our expert rapid response to surprise “dawn raids” by antitrust authorities helps clients avoid critical pitfalls and mount an effective defense within the critical first hours and days of such actions. Whatever the jurisdiction, accusation, or government agencies involved, we bring vast local and global experience, trial know-how, and a track record of winning similar cases on behalf of our clients.

About the Role

Latham's Antitrust & Competition practice is seeking highly qualified associates with a minimum of four years of experience to join our team. The ideal candidate will have substantial merger control experience, including HSR filings, Second Requests, and merger investigations. Candidates should be comfortable managing significant aspects of the antitrust review process for complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including regulatory filings, agency investigations, document productions, and coordination with economists, clients, and deal teams.

Main Contact Details

Lateral Recruiting — Litigation & Trial
[e-mail]

Additional Information

Investing in the well-being of our lawyers and staff is among the firm’s highest priorities. Through our “LiveWell Latham” program, we offer best-in-class benefits and comprehensive resources designed to support you and your loved ones through all life’s moments — from building a family and taking care of loved ones, to managing your health and saving for the future.

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

We periodically provide demographic data to legal publications, bar associations, civic and community organizations, and in some instances, to local, state, and federal government agencies as required by law or contract. So that the firm can provide this information accurately, we request that you consider self-identifying.

In accordance with Latham & Watkins policies, associates in this role must protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains either as part of the legal services the Firm provides to clients or for internal purposes.

Los Angeles: Latham & Watkins LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO).

San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. An employer that violates this law may be subject to fines and/or a private right of action for $500 in statutory damages “for each such violation,” among other things.

Pay Range

Associate Base Salary

Discretionary bonuses may be available depending on application circumstances and position.

Class of US Payroll

• 2026
• $225,000
• 2025
• $225,000
• 2024
• $235,000
• 2023
• $260,000
• 2022
• $310,000
• 2021
• $365,000
• 2020
• $390,000
• 2019
• $420,000
• 2018
• $435,000