Paul Hastings Expands Antitrust Practice With New Hires

Paul Hastings is pleased to announce that Ryan Phair and Craig Y. Lee have joined the firm as partners in its Washington, D.C. antitrust practice. Ryan Phair will co-chair the practice, bringing with him a wealth of experience in antitrust litigation and consumer protection.

Ryan Phair is one of the few antitrust litigators who has recovered over $1 billion for clients. Ryan was part of the team that successfully represented thousands of hospitals and restaurants in a class-action lawsuit against U.S. Foodservice and its parent, the Dutch retailer Ahold.

Craig Lee has joined Paul Hastings from Hunton Andrews Kurth, where he led the cartel and investigations practice. In his previous role, Craig was the global cartel task force leader at Baker McKenzie and a key government attorney in the price-fixing case against Romano Pisciotti, an executive with Parker ITR SRL in Italy. He became the U.S. Justice Department’s first-ever extradition on antitrust charges after Pisciotti pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison in 2014.

Related: Paul Hastings Hires Former Deputy Assistant AG From DOJ’s Antitrust Division

Frank Lopez, the chair of Paul Hastings, highlighted the relevance of the hires as companies continue to face increasing antitrust scrutiny from federal and state agencies. “Ryan Phair and Craig Lee’s experience in antitrust litigation and criminal investigations will be invaluable to our clients facing complex matters,” said Lopez.

Given the ever-growing complexity of the antitrust landscape, Paul Hastings is making a substantial commitment to bolstering its antitrust practice. The firm hired its first antitrust practitioners in 2006 and is continuing to expand its capabilities, enhancing its ability to help clients navigate the increasingly stringent and pervasive standards that they face.

Paul Hastings looks forward to utilizing the talents and expertise of Ryan Phair and Craig Lee as it continues to build out its antitrust practice. The addition of these two legal veterans will ensure Paul Hastings maintains its position as a pillar of antitrust law for years to come.