Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance continues antitrust expansion with appointment of life sciences and healthcare partner Leigh Oliver

Oliver the third US antitrust partner to join the team in three years

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance today announced that Leigh Oliver has joined as a partner in its US Antitrust practice. She joins from Hogan Lovells, where she established a leading reputation by helping clients navigate through their most difficult antitrust issues ranging from bet-the-company merger control matters to state and federal antitrust investigations.

Oliver brings nearly two decades of experience advising clients in some of the most heavily scrutinized industries, including healthcare, life sciences, aerospace and defense, and industrials. She regularly represents clients before federal and state antitrust agencies and in merger litigation in federal court. She is in the leadership of the ABA Antitrust Section and an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Law School.

"Our team is well-known for its exceptional work across antitrust investigations, merger control and joint venture matters, private and government litigations, and everyday counseling. Welcoming a partner of Oliver's caliber further deepens our offering at a time when we are experiencing a rise in antitrust enforcement," said Timothy Cornell, Head of the US Antitrust Practice.

"Clients commend Leigh for being extraordinarily attentive to detail and strategy, and very responsive -- I'm confident that she will deliver immediate value to both our clients and our wider team, all of whom are incredibly excited to welcome her on board."

Oliver is the third high-profile partner focusing on antitrust matters to join the firm in three years. Partner and former DOJ Antitrust Section Chief Peter Mucchetti joined in March 2020, and Global Co-Chair of Antitrust Sharis Pozen moved to Clifford Chance from her role as VP, Global Competition Law and Policy at General Electric in 2019. In the past year, former FTC staff attorney Elyssa Wenzel also joined the team in Washington.

Pozen said, "Competition law considerations continue to impact the way our clients approach risk and growth opportunities. Clients regularly report antitrust as among their top global 'worry wall' issues. Leigh's arrival brings additional experience to our growing international practice as we increasingly support the healthcare and life sciences sectors, both in the US and across the globe."

Oliver offered, "Clifford Chance's antitrust team is well respected around the globe, and I'm delighted to join them here in the US. I am excited to collaborate with my new colleagues as we help our clients navigate an increasingly complex antitrust enforcement environment."