Laura C. Onken
Counsel
Laura Onken guides companies in litigating merger challenges and gaining global clearances for complex, multibillion-dollar deals.
Laura C. Onken
Counsel
Laura Onken guides companies in litigating merger challenges and gaining global clearances for complex, multibillion-dollar deals.
In private practice at a multinational law firm, Laura represented AstraZeneca in securing clearances across 20 jurisdictions for its $39 billion acquisition of Alexion. She also successfully defended Evonik’s proposed acquisition of Peroxychem, a competing hydrogen peroxide producer, through merger litigation, ending the Federal Trade Commission’s seven-trial winning streak in blocking similar mergers.
A former attorney in the FTC’s Mergers III Division, Laura leverages her dual perspective to advise clients on merger and conduct investigations, the U.S. and multijurisdictional merger control and review process, civil antitrust litigation, and corporate compliance programs. She represents companies across all sectors, with particular experience in the life sciences, technology, and oil and gas sectors.
While attending Georgetown University Law Center, Laura worked as a research analyst at an economic consulting firm in Washington, D.C., with a focus on antitrust and IP matters. Active in the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section, she currently serves as Vice Chair of the Books & Treatises Committee.
Experience
Merger
- Represented AstraZeneca in securing unconditional clearance in more than 20 antitrust and foreign direct investment jurisdictions for its $39 billion acquisition of Alexion.
- Advised Saint-Gobain on its $2.3 billion all-cash acquisition of GCP Applied Technologies.
- Defended Evonik as trial counsel in litigation brought by the FTC to challenge its proposed acquisition of PeroxyChem, a competing hydrogen peroxide producer.
- Advised Sonoco Products Company on its acquisition of the remaining equity interest in its joint venture with the WestRock Company, RTS Packaging, and one paper mill in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for $330 million.
- Represented LANXESS in its agreement to purchase International Flavors & Fragrances’ (IFF) Microbial Control business unit for $1.3 billion.
- Represented Smiths Group on its $710 million acquisition of Morpho Detection.
- Advised AstraZeneca in multiple transactions, including its $1 billion acquisition of Amolyt Pharma, its $1.1 billion acquisition of Icosavax, and its $1.1 billion acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies.
- Advised Novartis in multiple transactions, including its $2.1 billion acquisition of Endocyte, a U.S.-based, publicly held biopharmaceutical company, its $3.4 billion acquisition of Xiidra, and its $325 billion acquisition of AveXis.
- Advised Intel on its $16.7 billion acquisition of Altera.
- Represented JD Sports in multiple transactions, including its $1.1 billion acquisition of Hibbett, Inc., its $495 million acquisition of DTLR/Villa, and its $325 million acquisition of Shoe Palace.
Litigation
- Defended Google’s ad technology business in United States, et al. v. Google LLC (E.D. Va.) and In re Google Advertising Antitrust Litigation (S.D.N.Y.), brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 30 state attorneys general, and various class action plaintiffs alleging violations of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act.
- Represented PepsiCo in Mahaska Bottling Co. v. PepsiCo Inc., successfully obtaining the dismissal of all antitrust claims.
- Defended Hachette in DNAML Pty Ltd. v. Apple and related eBook reseller litigations, summary judgment upheld for defendants on appeal.
* Includes matters handled prior to joining Axinn
Honors
- Who's Who Legal: Competition Future Leaders (2023 – 2024)
- Concurrences Antitrust Writing Award for the Best Academic, Mergers category, “A Hedgehog in Fox’s Clothing? The Misapplication of GUPPI Analysis,” co-authored with Jan Rybnicek (2017)
Education
- JD – Georgetown University Law Center (2012)
- BA – University of Chicago (2009)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Quotes
Axinn brings a deep bench of experienced practitioners who can handle any manner of antitrust representation.
The Legal 500 United States
They have a good understanding of the client’s needs, as well as excellent scientific and legal knowledge.
Chambers USA
