James W. Attridge
Partner
James (“Jimmy”) Attridge is an antitrust partner trusted to guide clients through cartel investigations, antitrust litigation, and complex merger reviews. With deep government experience across multiple administrations – including as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and a federal prosecutor – Jimmy has helped clients successfully navigate some of the most challenging government investigations and litigation.
James W. Attridge
Partner
James (“Jimmy”) Attridge is an antitrust partner trusted to guide clients through cartel investigations, antitrust litigation, and complex merger reviews. With deep government experience across multiple administrations – including as chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and a federal prosecutor – Jimmy has helped clients successfully navigate some of the most challenging government investigations and litigation.
His skills span antitrust compliance issues, cartel investigations, defense, and follow-on civil litigation, as well as advising clients on DOJ matters, particularly in areas with heightened enforcement like merger reviews and civil conduct investigations. Clients trust Jimmy’s guidance in cartel defense, consistently ranking him among the top nationwide lawyers in Chambers USA and The Legal 500 United States. Praised for his “excellent” work and “extraordinary client service,” Jimmy represents both companies and individuals facing cartel matters. In 2024, Jimmy was honored in Global Competition Review’s prestigious "40 Under 40" list, highlighting his influence and achievements in the field. He’s also a recognized thought leader, winning the Concurrences Antitrust Writing Award and Mondaq Thought Leadership Award for his top-tier analysis in antitrust law.
During his time as chief of staff of the DOJ 's Antitrust Division, Jimmy was a key player in shaping policy, leading investigations, and driving enforcement efforts. He managed a team of advisors, oversaw work product ranging from articles to speeches, and represented the division with fellow antitrust enforcers and within the DOJ. As counsel, Jimmy advised senior leaders on a record-high docket of criminal investigations and litigation, including scores of recommendations to open and resolve investigations, grant leniency, and seek indictments. Additionally, he implemented policy changes to bring criminal charges for collusion in the labor markets, to incentivize and assess corporate compliance, and to create the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, an interagency effort to detect and prosecute cartels and fraud affecting government procurement. Jimmy also served as a criminal prosecutor during his time at the DOJ.
Before his government service, Jimmy practiced in the antitrust department of a global law firm. He clerked for the Honorable Liam O’Grady at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia after graduating from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was also a Charles H. March Fellow and clerked for Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") Chairman Jon Leibowitz.
Experience
Private Practice
- Representing companies and executives in international and domestic cartel investigations involving algorithmic collusion, public procurement, price fixing, bid rigging, and labor-market collusion.
- Represented Ball Corporation in its $5.6 billion sale of its aerospace division to BAE Systems.
- Advising multiple Fortune 500 companies on the design and implementation of global antitrust compliance programs.
- Currently defending a multi-family real estate investment company in a DOJ criminal investigation and civil litigation involving allegations of information exchange and price-fixing via algorithms.
- Represented a corporate leniency applicant in an Antitrust Division no-poach investigation.
- Conducted internal investigations in industries ranging from consumer goods and manufacturing to healthcare and technology for issues including price fixing, labor-market collusion, and fraud.
- Represented an individual in a white collar investigation by a U.S. attorney’s office.
- Represented Corning Inc. in an auto parts criminal investigation and follow-on civil multidistrict litigation.
- Represented a global industrial company in an international cartel investigation involving the European Commission and other global enforcement agencies.
- Defended against actions alleging monopolization and conspiracy, suits seeking to enjoin mergers and acquisitions, and follow-on private litigation.
- Defended a pharmaceutical company in an antitrust conduct investigation resulting in the government’s suspension of the investigation.
- Represented a third party in the FTC’s administrative litigation against Microsoft/Activision.
- Advised parties and third parties in global merger reviews in support of transactions across a range of industries, from beer to semiconductors.
Honors
- Chambers USA, Nationwide Antitrust: Cartel (2024)
- Global Competition Review, "40 Under 40" (2024)
- Lawdragon, "500 Leading Litigators in America" (2025)
- Lawdragon, 500 X – "The Next Generation" (2024)
- The Legal 500 United States, Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Action: Defense (2023); Antitrust: Merger Control (2023 – 2024); Antitrust: Cartels (2023 – 2024)
- Winner, Mondaq Thought Leadership Awards (Spring 2024)
- Winner – Concurrences Legal Writing Award (2024)
- FTC Award for Meritorious Service
- FTC Annual Janet D. Steiger Award
Education
- JD – Georgetown University Law Center (2011)
- BA – Dartmouth College (2007)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. District Court District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Quotes
Jimmy has a pulse on recent agency temperament and activities.
Chambers USA
Jimmy is an outstanding cartel lawyer.
Chambers USA
Jimmy Attridge is a top-tier cartel defense counsel who has represented both companies and senior executives before competition authorities in highly sensitive matters.
Legal 500 United States
Jimmy Attridge is a rising star in the cartel bar. He has served in various roles at DOJ, providing him with a unique perspective in cartel cases.
The Legal 500 United States
Jimmy Attridge is an exceptional cartel lawyer who helps clients navigate any issue before the enforcement authorities.
The Legal 500 United States
News & Insights
News & Insights
Ten Things to Know About the Antitrust Division’s Updated Compliance Guidance
Axinn Viewpoints
Antitrust
Japan-U.S.-Europe International Competition Law Seminar
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
SCCE 23rd Annual Compliance & Ethics Institute
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
Axinn Partners Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America 2025
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
James Attridge Named to GCR's 40 Under 40 2024 List
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Move Over Non-Competes: Why NDAs May Be the Next Antitrust Enforcer Focus
Axinn Viewpoints
Antitrust
Axinn Attorneys Named to 2024 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Axinn’s Antitrust Practice Nationally Ranked by The Legal 500 United States for 2024
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Chambers USA 2024 Ranks 16 Axinn Lawyers, including 14 Antitrust Partners, and Recognizes the Firm in Seven Jurisdictions
Awards & Recognitions
Antitrust
Cartel Investigations: A Blueprint for Defense
Webinar
Antitrust