Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Skadden) announced the acquisition of James Fredricks’ legal expertise on April 1st, 2024. Mr. Fredricks joins the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner within their Antitrust and Competition Group. This strategic recruitment strengthens Skadden’s ability to serve clients facing antitrust investigations and prosecutions.

Previously, Mr. Fredricks served as the Chief of the Washington Criminal II Section within the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). During his tenure at the DOJ, which spanned over two decades, he also held the position of Assistant Chief within the division’s Appellate Section. This extensive experience equips Mr. Fredricks with a deep understanding of government enforcement practices and priorities related to antitrust matters.

Skadden’s Chair of the Global Antitrust and Competition Group, Steve Sunshine, emphasized Mr. Fredricks’ value to the firm. He highlighted Mr. Fredricks’ senior role at the DOJ, his knowledge of agency practices, and his familiarity with current enforcement priorities. These attributes, Mr. Sunshine asserted, will enable Mr. Fredricks to effectively advise and defend clients facing high-stakes criminal antitrust investigations.

Mr. Fredricks’ expertise encompasses many antitrust issues, including complex, multi-jurisdictional cases involving price fixing, bid rigging, market allocations, and criminal monopolization. He is also well-versed in emerging areas of antitrust law, such as no-poach agreements and algorithmic pricing.

Skadden’s recruitment of Mr. Fredricks is a strategic move for the firm and reflects a broader trend within the legal industry. In recent weeks, several law firms have sought to bolster their antitrust practices by acquiring talent from government agencies. Skadden’s participation in this trend underscores the firm’s commitment to staying at the forefront of industry developments and suggests a growing emphasis on antitrust enforcement and the increasing demand for legal expertise in this complex area.