Paul Hastings Expands Antitrust Bench With Washington Hire

Levine arrives from Mayer Brown, where she held a leadership role within the Antitrust & Competition group, according to a statement from Paul Hastings. Her work centers on guiding large corporations and private equity investors through antitrust clearance, competition risk assessments, and enforcement matters, as well as representing clients in investigations led by U.S. regulators.

Before moving into private practice, Levine spent several years at the Federal Trade Commission. Per a statement, she served as deputy director of the agency’s Bureau of Competition, managing teams across multiple divisions and participating in merger enforcement, conduct investigations, and litigation involving competition law. Her government experience spans industries including technology, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.

Levine also previously held in-house roles at Uber and Verizon Communications, where she advised executives on regulatory compliance, competition policy, antitrust exposure, and intellectual property concerns, according to the firm.

Her addition follows a series of recent hires that have reshaped Paul Hastings’ Antitrust & Competition practice, which has grown substantially in recent years. According to a statement, the firm has added senior antitrust partners in the U.S. and abroad, reinforcing its regulatory capabilities alongside a broader push in mergers and acquisitions.

Related: Paul Hastings Strengthens Antitrust Practice With Partner Hire in London and Brussels

Paul Hastings pointed to strong recent deal activity as part of the context for the hire. Per a statement citing Bloomberg data, the firm recorded the highest growth in U.S. deal value over the past two years, with total deal volume rising sharply from 2023 levels. The firm also reported a significant increase in average deal size and a higher ranking among global firms handling U.S. M&A transactions by value.

In addition to its transactional growth, Paul Hastings noted continued recognition of its shareholder activism defense work, which ranked near the top of industry league tables in 2025, according to a statement.

Firm leadership said Levine’s background strengthens its ability to advise clients facing heightened antitrust scrutiny. “Gail’s tremendous antitrust experience within and alongside the federal government, strong relationships and stellar reputation further our strategic objective to provide clients with unmatched intellectual capital and deliver best-in-market counsel on complex regulatory issues and high-stakes transactions,” firm Chair Frank Lopez said. “Enhancing our Antitrust & Competition practice is a key priority for the firm’s growth strategy.”

Paul Hastings’ antitrust team has nearly tripled in size over the past four years and was recently named to Global Competition Review’s 2026 GCR 100 list of leading competition practices worldwide, per a statement.

Levine said she was drawn to the firm’s focus on integrating regulatory strategy with transactional work. “I’m excited to join Paul Hastings and work alongside such a talented team,” she said. “The firm’s strategic approach helps clients navigate complex regulatory and transactional landscapes with confidence. I look forward to helping clients capitalize on various regulatory environments and delivering solutions that drive results.”

Source: Paul Hastings