Axinn Promotes James Hunsberger, Kail Jethmalani, and David Pearl to Partner, Carol Liu to Counsel

Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider announced today that it has promoted James Hunsberger, Kail Jethmalani, and David Pearl to partner, and Carol Liu to counsel, effective January 1, 2024. All four attorneys are members of Axinn’s nationwide antitrust practice.

“James, Kail, David, and Carol have accomplished a tremendous amount over the course of their careers and we are proud to bring their many talents and experience to the senior ranks of the antitrust group,” said Jeny Maier, a member of Axinn’s Executive Committee. “Their deep legal knowledge and strategic thinking make them invaluable to our firm and the legal community at large, and their elevation demonstrates Axinn’s commitment to developing a top-notch team that provides unparalleled client service.”

“All four lawyers are integral members of our growing antitrust practice, and their promotions are extremely well deserved,” said Mike Keeley, Chair of Axinn’s antitrust practice. “Their ability to deftly guide clients through their highest-stakes antitrust matters is unmatched, and I’ve been fortunate to witness firsthand the impressive dedication that they bring to each and every matter they take on.”

James Hunsberger, based in Axinn’s Washington, D.C. office, focuses his practice on the full range of antitrust matters, including high-profile mergers, litigation, and government investigations. James has over a decade of experience representing both U.S. and foreign companies across industries in high-stakes investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, as well as by international competition authorities in Europe, the United Kingdom, and China, among others. Clients rely on James to guide them in gaining global clearances for complex, cross-border deals facing intense scrutiny and to develop creative defense strategies against major litigations brought under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, and state antitrust laws.

Kail Jethmalani, based in Axinn’s New York office, represents clients across industries in all areas of antitrust law, including high-stakes litigation, mergers, and investigations. He has experience with both domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, representing clients before the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and international competition regulators. In addition, clients rely on Kail’s pragmatic approach to developing cohesive defense strategies in complex multidistrict litigation. Kail also maintains an active pro bono practice.

David Pearl, based in Axinn’s Washington, D.C. office, has extensive experience with all aspects of antitrust law, including litigation, merger review, government investigations, and counseling. He has a strong track record of coordinating strategy across multiple simultaneous investigations and litigations to successful outcomes. David is a member of Axinn’s Diversity Committee and the American Bar Association Antitrust Section’s Task Force on Antitrust, Consumer Protection, and Diverse Consumers. Prior to joining Axinn, he served as a senior political appointee at the U.S. Department of the Treasury during the Obama Administration.

Carol Liu, based in Axinn’s New York office, represents clients in all aspects of antitrust law, including mergers, high-stakes litigation, government investigations, and antitrust counseling. She has represented clients before the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and international enforcers across a range of industries including aerospace, automobile, food and beverage, health care, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and technologies. Carol also maintains an active pro bono practice and has successfully assisted clients in obtaining political asylum in the U.S.

Axinn’s antitrust practice is one of the largest and most experienced in the world. The firm has been global lead counsel on some of the most significant recent matters, including the largest cash merger in U.S. history, the largest tech deal in history, and a wide array of cutting-edge litigation and counseling matters.

Press Coverage:

• New York Law Journal