Michael L. Keeley
Antitrust Practice Chair
Mike Keeley, chair of Axinn’s antitrust practice, has nearly 30 years of experience guiding clients through antitrust clearance for multibillion-dollar mergers, trying complex antitrust cases, and guiding companies through the increasingly challenging antitrust landscape. His business-focused approach has built lasting partnerships with some of the world’s most recognized companies.
Michael L. Keeley
Antitrust Practice Chair
Mike Keeley, chair of Axinn’s antitrust practice, has nearly 30 years of experience guiding clients through antitrust clearance for multibillion-dollar mergers, trying complex antitrust cases, and guiding companies through the increasingly challenging antitrust landscape. His business-focused approach has built lasting partnerships with some of the world’s most recognized companies.
Lauded as a leading antitrust attorney by the prestigious Chambers USA and The Legal 500 United States, clients appreciate Mike’s unique commitment to immersing himself in the intricacies of their business. He immerses himself in their unique challenges to provide clear, actionable, and strategic advice tailored to their needs.
Mike's strategic transactions work includes advising on major deals like Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.'s $13 billion acquisition of Zynga, Dell Technologies Inc.'s $67 billion acquisition of EMC Corporation, Choice Hotels International, Inc., in its proposed $8 billion acquisition of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.'s $13.6 billion acquisition of Life Technologies. He’s also played a crucial role in several strategic moves for Tyson Foods Inc. and Cummins Inc.
Where mergers have been challenged, Mike has tried and prevailed in multiple cases, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division's challenge to the sale of Tyson Foods’ poultry processing complex to George's Inc. as well as the City of New York's challenge to the combination of health insurers Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) to form EmblemHealth.
Experience
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Represented Choice Hotels International, Inc. in its proposed $8 billion acquisition of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
- Lead global coordinating antitrust counsel to Dell Technologies Inc. in its $67 billion acquisition of EMC Corporation.
- Lead global coordinating counsel to Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. in its $13 billion acquisition of Zynga.
- Lead global coordinating counsel to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. in its $460 million acquisition of The Gearbox Entertainment Company, Inc.
- Represented Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. before the Federal Trade Commission in Electronic Art’s $2 billion hostile tender offer for Take-Two.
- Represented Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. in its proposed $1 billion acquisition of Codemasters Group Holdings PLC.
- Lead global coordinating counsel to Tyson Foods Inc. in its $2.6 billion acquisition of Keystone Foods’ leading international chicken business.
- Represented Tyson Foods Inc. in its acquisition of Smart Chicken.
- Represented Tyson Foods Inc. in the $1.2 billion sale of its pet treats business to General Mills Inc.
- Represented Tyson Foods Inc. in its $850 million acquisition of American Proteins, combining the two largest players in chicken rendering.
- Global coordinating counsel to Cummins Inc. in its $3 billion proposed EV Battery joint venture with Daimler and PACCAR.
- Advises Dedrone in its proposed acquisition by Axon.
- Advises Ellucian in its proposed acquisition of Tribal Group plc.
- Lead global coordinating counsel to Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. in its $13.6 billion. acquisition of Life Technologies, a deal shortlisted for Global Competition Review’s 2014 “Matter of the Year” award.
- Represented SunGard in its $9.1 billion acquisition by Fidelity National Information Services Inc.
- Represented Tyler Technologies in its $2.3 billion acquisition of NIC Inc.
- Represented Interactive Data Corporation in its $5.2 billion acquisition by Intercontinental Exchange Inc.
- Represented The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) in its $679 million acquisition of Pathmark.
- Represented Tyler Technologies Inc. in its $670 million acquisition of New World Systems Corporation.
- Represented GameStop Corp. in its acquisition of Electronics Boutique.
- Represented H.I.G. Capital in its proposed sale of Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS), part of TKC Holdings Inc., to Securus Technologies.
- Represented Harcourt Inc. in its acquisition by Reed Elsevier and Thomson Corp.
- Represented M. Holland Company in its acquisition by Ravago Group.
- Represented a leading manufacturer of diesel engines in a series of acquisitions and collaborations with major customers.
Merger Challenges
- Represented SunGard in a DOJ merger challenge to its acquisition of Comdisco Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
- Represented Tyson Foods and George’s Inc. in a DOJ merger challenge in the Western District of Virginia.
- Advised on the City of New York’s challenge to the combination of health insurers Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) to form EmblemHealth.
Litigation
- Representing Tyson Foods Inc. in a putative antitrust class action litigation alleging a conspiracy to depress broiler grower pay.
- Representing Alvogen in a patent infringement and antitrust litigation regarding Indivior’s opioid dependency treatment drug Suboxone® Film.
- Representing Alvogen in a patent infringement and antitrust litigation regarding Indivior’s opioid dependency treatment drug SUBOXONE® sublingual film.
- Represented Momenta Pharmaceuticals in a series of antitrust cases involving patent enforcement.
- Obtained final determination of no violation on behalf of Thales DIS AIS Deutschland, Thales DIS AIS USA, Thales USA, and Thales S.A. based on noninfringement and invalidity of all asserted patents involving UMTS/LTE standards and mobile communication modules.
- Represented Redbox in actions challenging The Walt Disney Company’s sales and distribution practices.
Honors
- Chambers USA, District of Columbia: Antitrust (2020 – 2024)
- The Legal 500 United States (2022 – 2024)
- Lawdragon, "500 Leading Dealmakers in America" (2024 – 2025)
- Lawdragon, "500 Leading Litigators in America" (2023 – 2025)
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- Best Lawyers in America (2020 – 2025)
- Winner, Concurrences Antitrust Writing Award (Business Article, Intellectual Property subcategory), "Antitrust Treatment of Acceleration Provisions in Hatch-Waxman Settlements" (2021)
- Super Lawyers (2014 – 2024)
- Who’s Who Legal, Thought Leaders – Competition ( 2023 – 2025)
- Who's Who Legal: Competition (2020 – 2024)
Education
- JD, cum laude – Fordham University School of Law (1995) Order of the Coif
- BS, with Honors – Fordham University (1992)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Quotes
Michael Keeley is noted for his experience in defending litigated merger challenges.
The Legal 500 United States
Michael Keeley…is prolific in the merger space.
The Legal 500 United States
Michael Keeley is very knowledgeable on antitrust. He also has a very good knowledge of what's going on in U.S. agencies.
Chambers USA
Michael is wonderful to work with. He takes a very practical approach and is always quick to respond.
Chambers USA
Mike has deep knowledge of antitrust law.
Chambers USA
News & Insights
News & Insights
Navigating Global Politics: The Future of Antitrust Merger Policy and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Webinar
Antitrust
Merger Program Overhaul Adds Compliance Burdens for Companies
Media Mentions
Antitrust
Axinn Partners Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America 2025
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Informa Connect Antitrust Texas Conference 2024
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
Failed Deals Climb as Antitrust Enforcers Push Aggressive Agenda
Media Mentions
Antitrust
Fordham 51st Annual Conference on International Antitrust Law and Policy
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
Axinn Partners Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America 2025
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Axinn Partners Recognized in Who’s Who Legal (WWL) – Thought Leaders Competition 2025 Report
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Federal Judge Blocks FTC Non-Compete Rule, Nationwide
Axinn Viewpoints
Antitrust
Axinn Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2025
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust