Vote for Dechert! Dechert’s Antitrust Team Nominated Three Times in Global Competition Review Awards

Dechert LLP’s antitrust team has been nominated in three categories in Global Competition Review’s GCR Awards 2023, which honors the world’s top lawyers, academics, economists and enforcers in the field of antitrust law.

In the “Litigation of the Year – Cartel Defense” category, the publication named the In re Opana ER Antitrust Litigation to the shortlist. On behalf of Endo Pharmaceuticals, Dechert won a favorable jury verdict in a case that raised novel questions about how the Supreme Court’s holding in FTC v. Actavis regarding the antitrust “rule of reason” test should be applied at trial in cases based on patent settlement agreements. Over the course of the eight-year litigation, Dechert’s defense team built a record showing that the challenged agreement increased competition and was therefore procompetitive. The Dechert antitrust team was led by partners George Gordon and Julia Chapman.

In the “Behavioral Matter of the Year – Europe” category, the publication shortlisted the Paris Court of Appeal’s decision to slash a record fine imposed on Apple for distribution-related antitrust violations from €1.1 billion to €371.6 million, a reduction of 66%, finding that France’s Competition Authority had used the wrong calculation method and failed to substantiate certain allegations. Acting for Apple, a Dechert antitrust team led by partners Mélanie Thill-Tayara and Laurence Bary and national partner Marion Provost convinced the appellate court to overturn the RPM and price-fixing allegations, as well as partially annul the agency’s abuse of economic dependence findings.

In the individual categories, partner Mélanie Thill-Tayara was shortlisted for “Litigator of the Year.” In addition to securing Apple’s successful appeals ruling, Ms. Thill-Tayara also represents Roche before the Paris Court of Appeal in a landmark case relating to an alleged abuse of collective dominance with Novartis concerning the off-label use of cancer drug Avastin.

With winners in the GCR Awards decided by industry vote, Dechert is seeking the support of its valued clients and contacts to ask if they might kindly consider voting. Votes are only accepted from "professional email addresses." Votes for one’s own firm, lawyers or matters are not permitted. To vote, please visit the following site: