Rachel J. Adcox
Partner
As a partner at Axinn, Rachel Adcox is the go-to for clients facing high-stakes litigation or billion-dollar negotiations. A consistent standout in antitrust, Rachel delivers results by skillfully navigating complex civil litigation and managing concurrent civil and criminal actions at both state and federal levels.
Rachel J. Adcox
Partner
As a partner at Axinn, Rachel Adcox is the go-to for clients facing high-stakes litigation or billion-dollar negotiations. A consistent standout in antitrust, Rachel delivers results by skillfully navigating complex civil litigation and managing concurrent civil and criminal actions at both state and federal levels.
Rachel’s approach is always forward-thinking and business-focused, ensuring clients are presented with a full range of legal solutions tailored to their needs. Leading major cases for Fortune 100 companies, her clients rely on her clear, strategic, and confident guidance every step of the way. It’s no surprise that peers and clients describe her as "an outstanding litigator" and “the best of the best.”
Her work has earned her widespread recognition: Chambers USA highlights her as an Antitrust Litigation Specialist, Legal 500 ranks her as a Leading Lawyer in Antitrust Civil Litigation and Class Action Defense, and the National Law Journal has named her a Litigation Trailblazer. Rachel is also a regular finalist for Lawyer of the Year, Litigator of the Year, and Matter of the Year by Global Competition Review. In 2021, she was honored in Global Competition Review’s prestigious Women in Antitrust list.
Beyond the courtroom, Rachel is a trusted adviser on cartel and compliance issues, working closely with U.S. and international enforcers. Before becoming a Partner, she served as a Trial Attorney in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she developed a deep understanding of government enforcement and regulatory incentives.
Experience
- Defense counsel for five PVC pipe producers in a major treble-damage class action litigation alleging market-wide price fixing conspiracies.
- Lead counsel defending Tyson Foods in multiple major treble-damage class action litigations and regulatory investigations alleging industry-wide conspiracies to raise the prices of broiler chickens, pork, turkey, and beef, as well as a conspiracy to depress broiler grower pay.
- Lead counsel defending Alvogen Inc. in the sprawling Generic Drugs MDL, a suit alleging participation in an industry-wide conspiracy to raise prices of generic medications through the allocation of markets.
- Lead counsel for RelayHealth, a subsidiary of McKesson, in a treble-damages class action case alleging a conspiracy to monopolize electronic prescribing.
- Lead counsel for the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies in a treble-damages class action case alleging a conspiracy to prevent PharmacyChecker.com from accessing internet platforms.
- Represented multiple defendants in the Auto Parts class action MDL in Detroit, Michigan.
- As part of its long-standing representation of Independence Blue Cross of Pennsylvania (“IBC”), Axinn is currently defending IBC in the recently-filed class-action MDL against the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and individual Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. The lawsuit, which alleges primarily that the plans' designated service areas are anticompetitive, is the most important challenge to the Blue System in its 80-year history.
- Represented Redbox in actions challenging Disney’s sales and distribution practices.
- Represented a Japanese auto-parts company in connection with cartel investigations by the DOJ, the European Commission, and the Canadian Competition Bureau. Axinn negotiated significant reductions in the scope of the U.S. investigation and prevented any adverse action by foreign governmental authorities.
- Represented Yardi Systems, Inc., a provider of property management software, against antitrust and commercial tort claims brought by Entrata, Inc.
- Represented George's Foods in the successful defense of its acquisition of a Virginia poultry complex. The acquisition was challenged by the DOJ after consummation, but settled in George's favor prior to discovery.
- Represented a major poultry and livestock processor in a series of DOJ civil investigations of major agricultural corporations. In each case, Axinn was able to bring the matter to a conclusion without any significant document production or any corporate testimony.
- Appointed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Rachel represented a union member in a Duty of Fair Representation suit against their union. In doing so, Rachel became one of only a handful of attorneys in the District to successfully litigate such a claim.
Honors
- Nominated for Global Competition Review Lawyer of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, an award given to “a competition lawyer of any age whose superior skill, practical judgment and excellence in client service demonstrates that they are among the very best in the field.”
- Named to Global Competition Review’s list of Women in Antitrust (2021)
- Nominated for Global Competition Review Litigator of the Year in both 2019 and 2021, this award is given to “a competition litigator whose superior technical skill, practical judgment and excellence in serving clients in court demonstrates that they are among the very best in the field.”
- Benchmark Litigation – DC Litigation Star: Competition/Antitrust (2024 – 2025)
- Chambers USA – District of Columbia: Antitrust: Litigation Specialists (2019 – 2024)
- Named to The National Law Journal’s list of Litigation Trailblazers (2020)
- Corporate Counsel Women, Influence & Power in Law Honoree: Law Firm Women’s Legal Awards Category (2019)
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In February of 2018, Axinn was nominated for Global Competition Review Litigation of the Year – Cartel Defence for its work on behalf of Nishikawa Rubber Company in the Auto Parts litigation. This award recognizes “creative, strategic and innovative litigation on behalf of a defendant in a private action for cartel damages.”
- The Legal 500 United States – Leading Lawyer for Antitrust - Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense (2022 – 2024)
- Lawdragon, 500 Leading Litigators in America (2023 – 2025)
- Super Lawyers (2019 – 2024)
- Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Competition (2024 – 2025)
- Who's Who Legal: Competition (2021 – 2024)
- Who’s Who Legal: Competition Future Leaders (2018 – 2020)
- Named to "Women Worth Watching 2017" by Profiles in Diversity Journal
- Vice Chair of the ABA Antitrust Section's Competition Torts Committee (2015 – 2017)
- Law clerk to the Honorable Peter B. Krauser, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals (2007 – 2008)
Education
- JD, with Honors – The George Washington University Law School (2007)
- BS, with High Honors – Michigan State University (1996)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court Maryland
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation
Quotes
Rachel is very creative. She has an instinct for what will work and she really puts her client's interests above all else.
Chambers USA
Rachel is super smart, incredibly pragmatic and practical. She can zoom through series of arguments and find the one that will make a difference.
Chambers USA
Rachel is the best of the best.
Who's Who Legal
Rachel is a very strategic attorney that is extremely skilled in finding the best results for her client.
Chambers USA
Rachel's advice is clear, reasoned and confident.
Chambers USA
She is top-notch in the criminal and civil conspiracy area. She thinks outside the box and is appropriately aggressive in her positions.
Chambers USA
News & Insights
News & Insights
Axinn Partners Ranked in the 2025 Edition of Benchmark Litigation
Awards & Recognitions
Intellectual Property
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
Who's Who Legal Recognizes Twelve Axinn Attorneys
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Setting the AI Standard for Algorithmic Pricing in the U.S.: Per Se or Rule of Reason?
Byline Articles
Antitrust
International Association of Defense Counsel 2024 Annual Meeting
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
Axinn’s Antitrust Practice Nationally Ranked by The Legal 500 United States for 2024
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Driving Diversity in Law and Leadership: Washington DC
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
Chambers USA 2024 Ranks 16 Axinn Lawyers, including 14 Antitrust Partners, and Recognizes the Firm in Seven Jurisdictions
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Consumer Brands CPG Legal Forum 2024
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
