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Perkins Coie Adds Former DOJ Antitrust Leader as Partner in Washington

By  |  January 22, 2026

Perkins Coie has announced the addition of Veronica Onyema, formerly an assistant chief in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, to its Litigation and Antitrust practices as a partner in Washington, D.C. The firm said the move strengthens its ability to handle complex competition and regulatory matters at a time of heightened enforcement activity, according to a statement.

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    Onyema comes to the firm after holding a senior leadership role in the Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. During her government service, she played a central role in shaping litigation strategy in major enforcement cases across the technology and financial services sectors, per a statement. Her responsibilities included working on trial teams, examining senior corporate executives, and overseeing critical written advocacy in large-scale matters.

    In addition to courtroom work, Onyema managed prominent merger and conduct investigations while serving as assistant chief. She collaborated with senior DOJ officials and led inquiries in a range of industries, including satellite, automotive, space, electronics, and reusable packaging, according to a statement.

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    Her arrival also aligns with the firm’s broader expansion of its global antitrust capabilities. Perkins Coie noted that its Antitrust & Unfair Competition group recently welcomed competition lawyer Miranda Cole and a team of associates in the European Union and United Kingdom in 2025, per a statement.

    Read more: Ashurst and Perkins Coie Unveil Plans for Major Transatlantic Merger

    Firm leaders said Onyema’s background will immediately enhance the practice. Shari Brandt and Julia Markley, co-chairs of the Litigation practice, said her experience handling major trials and merger reviews at the DOJ makes her a strong addition as the legal market anticipates increased merger and acquisition activity and continued antitrust scrutiny.

    Before joining the Antitrust Division, Onyema worked in the DOJ’s Civil Division as a trial attorney in the National Courts Section. In that role, she represented the United States in bid protest and contract termination cases and argued appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, according to a statement.

    Earlier in her career, she practiced antitrust law at two major firms. Her private-sector work included litigating a multibillion-dollar monopolization case and defending a chocolate manufacturer in a high-profile antitrust class action, per a statement.

    Onyema said she is looking forward to returning to private practice and contributing to the firm’s growth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School.

    Source: Perkinscoie