Gordon Lang represents clients in criminal and civil antitrust litigation, in matters before the federal antitrust and other enforcement agencies, in white-collar criminal cases and investigations, class actions, and other complex civil litigation. He is the team leader of the firm’s Antitrust, Regulatory and Unfair Trade Practices group and was appointed as a non-governmental advisor for the United States at the 2014 International Competition Network Cartel Workshop. He recently represented an individual in the U.S. House of Representative’s impeachment investigation.
I am a former Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyer and represent clients in the full range of antitrust matters: criminal investigations and cases (including those involving alleged international cartels), class actions and other civil litigation, merger and non-merger investigations before federal and state enforcement agencies, internal compliance and counseling. My clients have included industrial and transportation concerns (such as MOL Logistics (Japan)), media companies (such as Gannett Co., Inc. and Stephens Media), tech firms (such as TDK Corporation), banks, waste disposal companies, construction firms, government contractors, and service providers and consumer products firms.
Consistent with the enforcement trend, much of my criminal antitrust practice focuses on the representation of foreign-based companies in a variety of industries who have allegedly participated in international cartels. I also represent U.S. companies and individuals in national and local criminal matters. I’ve successfully taken corporations through the DOJ’s leniency program.
My civil litigation practice includes the defense of class action matters involving price-fixing and related claims, monopolization claims under Section 2 of the Sherman Act, anti-merger claims under Section 7 of the Clayton Act, and Robinson-Patman price-discrimination allegations. I’ve successfully defended clients in a number of cases involving the Newspaper Preservation Act.
I represent U.S. and non-U.S. clients in merger investigations (including second request investigations) and non-merger investigations before federal and state antitrust and other enforcement agencies.
Many times the most important work is in the planning. I work with clients to evaluate the antitrust issues involved in potential business matters and courses of conduct and find a strategy and solution to achieve their objectives. And to help clients avoid or evaluate potential problems, I provide antitrust training and conduct internal antitrust compliance investigations.
The Biden Administration Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have pledged vigorous antitrust enforcement and a willingness to advance new theories or emphases. It will be interesting to see the practical effects of those efforts—in both traditional and evolving businesses and markets—and how the courts will respond to them. Criminal investigations and prosecutions will continue to be a key part of the DOJ agenda.
Dot LA | March 22, 2022
This article on the proposed $69 billion merger between Microsoft and video game developer Activision Blizzard quotes Washington, DC Complex Disputes partner and Antitrust team leader Gordon Lang on the relatively small percentage of overall mergers that receive a second look from the Federal Trade Commission, and the tendency for these types of requests to increase in relation to the deal size.
CQ Roll Call | February 04, 2022
This article highlighting Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard quotes Washington, DC Complex Disputes partner and Antitrust practice leader Gordon Lang on how a large price tag does not make a deal unlawful under antitrust law, noting that the issue to consider is whether competition would be harmed.
Dot LA | January 24, 2022
This article on Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard quotes Washington, DC Complex Disputes partner and Antitrust practice leader Gordon Lang on antitrust considerations and potential issues related to similar large-sized mergers and acquisitions. Esports & Gaming group leader and Los Angeles Labor & Employment associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan is quoted on the strength of competition among companies of all sizes in the gaming industry.
The American Lawyer | November 22, 2021
This article on the surge in private equity deals includes NP for advising the owners of skin care brand Obagi in its $1.2 billion business combination agreement with Waldencast Acquisition Corp. and the spinoff of Obagi’s operations in China.
The NP team was led by David Cheng, chair and managing partner of the firm's China and Asia-Pacific practice, and New York City Corporate partners Michael Smith and Richard Langan. The team that advised Obagi also included Chicago Corporate partner David Brown, Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk, Washington, DC Complex Commercial Disputes partner and Antitrust team leader Gordon Lang, and Washington, DC Corporate senior counsel Kenneth Silverberg. Other members of the team included Boston Corporate associate Anthony Bova and Chinese legal consultant Kelly Xiang.
Bloomberg Law | November 18, 2021
This article covering a roughly $1.2 billion merger of skin care and beauty brands with a special purpose acquisition company mentions NP for advising the owners of skin care brand Obagi in its business combination agreement with Waldencast Acquisition Corp. and the spinoff of Obagi's operations in China.
The NP team was led by David Cheng, chair and managing partner of the firm's China and Asia-Pacific practice, and New York City Corporate partners Michael Smith and Richard Langan. The team that advised Obagi also included Chicago Corporate partner David Brown, Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk, Washington, DC Complex Commercial Disputes partner and Antitrust team leader Gordon Lang, and Washington, DC Corporate senior counsel Kenneth Silverberg. Other members of the team included Boston Corporate associate Anthony Bova and Chinese legal consultant Kelly Xiang.
CQ Roll Call | February 22, 2021
Antitrust practice leader and Washington, D.C. Complex Commercial Disputes partner Gordy Lang is quoted in this article on a new law designed to prevent employers from retaliating against antitrust whistleblowers.
CQ Roll Call | June 23, 2020
Washington, DC, Complex Commercial Disputes partner Gordon Lang, who leads the firm’s Antitrust, Regulatory and Unfair Trade Practices team, is quoted on the likelihood of Congress reauthorizing a leniency program for antitrust probes and why some large companies may at times be reluctant to come forward for fear of unnecessarily exposing themselves to civil liability risks.
Law360 | August 09, 2019
This story highlights Nixon Peabody’s representation of Gannett, the publisher of USA Today, in its $1.38 billion merger with New Media Investment Group, parent of GateHouse Media LLC.
American Lawyer | August 09, 2019
This story highlights Nixon Peabody’s representation of Gannett, the publisher of USA Today, in its $1.38 billion merger with New Media Investment Group, parent of GateHouse Media LLC.
The Deal | August 06, 2019
The following stories highlight Nixon Peabody’s representation of Gannett, the publisher of USA Today, in its $1.38 billion merger with New Media Investment Group, parent of GateHouse Media LLC.
Law360 | August 05, 2019
The following stories highlight Nixon Peabody’s representation of Gannett, the publisher of USA Today, in its $1.38 billion merger with New Media Investment Group, parent of GateHouse Media LLC.
Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude
University of Michigan, B.A., with high distinction
District of Columbia
New York
Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court