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Cooley Appoints New Chair for Global Antitrust and Competition Practice

By  |  May 5, 2026

Law firm Cooley has appointed Norm Armstrong Jr. as partner and chair of its global antitrust and competition practice, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities in handling complex regulatory and transactional matters.

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    Armstrong will be based in Cooley’s Washington, D.C. office and brings decades of experience spanning government service and private practice. According to a statement from the firm, Armstrong’s background includes advising on enforcement priorities, cross-border competition matters and strategic deal execution.

    Before joining Cooley, Armstrong served as deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, where he was involved in merger reviews, conduct investigations and litigation across industries including healthcare, technology, pharmaceuticals, retail, energy and entertainment. Per statement, he also worked on major matters before the FTC, the U.S. Department of Justice, and federal and state courts. Armstrong most recently practiced at Kirkland & Ellis.

    In private practice, Armstrong has advised public companies and financial institutions on major mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic transactions, while also representing clients in government investigations and antitrust disputes.

    Related: Cooley Expands Global Antitrust Practice With Senior Leadership Appointment

    “Norm is a seasoned talent and an exceptional addition to our antitrust and competition practice,” said Rachel Proffitt, partner and chief executive officer at Cooley. “His arrival meaningfully advances our goal of operating as a fully integrated global platform, strengthening our ability to help clients manage regulatory risk and pursue transformative transactions amid a rapidly shifting global competition landscape.”

    Armstrong said Cooley’s reputation in dealmaking and its collaborative culture influenced his decision to join the firm.

    “Cooley’s reputation for sophisticated deal work, combined with its deeply collaborative culture, was a major draw for me,” said Armstrong. “I’m excited to join a team that consistently delivers innovative, practical solutions for clients and highly motivated by the opportunity to lead a truly market-defining antitrust and competition practice.”

    According to a statement, Armstrong’s appointment reflects Cooley’s broader effort to expand its global antitrust capabilities as companies face increasingly complex competition rules and regulatory scrutiny across jurisdictions.

    Cooley’s antitrust and competition team has earned recognition from organizations including Chambers USA, The Legal 500 and Global Competition Review. Per statement, the practice advises clients ranging from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 companies on mergers, investigations and high-stakes litigation.

    Source: Cooley