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Fried Frank Expands Antitrust Practice With New Washington Partner

By  |  January 27, 2026

Fried Frank has strengthened its antitrust and competition practice with the addition of Shawn R. Johnson as a partner in its Washington, DC, office, the firm announced Tuesday. The move comes as law firms continue to expand regulatory and deal-focused teams to meet growing demand from corporate clients, according to Bloomberg.

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    Johnson joins Fried Frank after more than a decade at Crowell & Moring, where he served as a partner and co-chaired the firm’s antitrust group. At his new firm, he will concentrate on transactional antitrust matters, including mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures, as well as compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, per Bloomberg.

    Fried Frank said Johnson brings experience navigating deals through US and international antitrust review processes. His practice also includes advising companies facing grand jury and civil investigations that are not tied to merger activity. Over the years, he has represented clients before a range of regulators, including the US Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Defense, state attorneys general, and international competition authorities.

    Firm leaders said the hire reflects Fried Frank’s focus on expanding its regulatory bench. Steven Epstein, the firm’s managing partner, said Johnson’s background in merger reviews and regulatory strategy will support clients pursuing large-scale transactions in a challenging environment. Barry Nigro, partner and global chair of the firm’s Antitrust and Competition Department, added that Johnson’s arrival highlights the firm’s commitment to advising on transactional and regulatory matters.

    The firm has been steadily building its antitrust capabilities. Last year, it added Kathy O’Neill, a former senior investigations and litigation official in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, to further deepen its regulatory experience. According to Bloomberg, these additions signal a broader strategy to enhance the firm’s ability to handle competition matters.

     

    Source: Bloomberg