Orrick antitrust practice head jumps to Dechert

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Signage is seen outside of the law firm Dechert LLP in Washington, D.C.
Signage is seen outside of the law firm Dechert LLP in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 30, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
  • John Jurata led Orrick's antitrust practice before moving to Dechert
  • Jurata, Cohen and Lahnborg advise top tech companies including Microsoft, Sonos, Netflix, LG and Zillow.

(Reuters) - U.S. law firm Dechert said Monday it has hired three tech-focused antitrust partners in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and London from rival firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, including global practice head John 'Jay' Jurata, Jr.

Washington-based Jurata, a former U.S. Navy officer, led Orrick’s antitrust practice, Dechert said. Russel Cohen and Douglas Lahnborg are also joining the Philadelphia-founded firm as partners.

Jurata's clients have included Microsoft Corp., Sonos Inc, Sharp Corporation, LG Corp. and Panasonic, according to his archived bio on Orrick’s website. He most recently represented Microsoft and Sonos in their role as interested parties in the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Google.

He said in an email that his clients have "responded positively" to the move.

Cohen joins Dechert in San Francisco. His clients have included LinkedIn, Netflix and Zillow, according to an archived bio on Orrick’s website.

Lahnborg is joining Dechert's London office, having most recently headed Orrick's outpost in the city. Lahnborg represents clients before antitrust regulators in the EU and the UK, Dechert said.

Lahnborg also helped launch Orrick’s office in Brussels, the EU’s antitrust capital, according to his archived bio on Orrick’s website. He will focus on expanding Dechert’s antitrust capabilities on the ground in the UK and Brussels, Lahnborg said in a statement.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Jay, Russ and Douglas, particularly at a time when antitrust activity in the high-tech industry continues to increase globally,” co-chair of Dechert’s antitrust practice Mike Cowie said in a statement.

An Orrick spokesperson wished Jurata, Cohen and Lahnborg well. Orrick's antitrust practice will now be led by competition attorney Amy Ray in Washington, the spokesperson said.

San Francisco-founded Orrick in November added Anna Aryankalayil, who served as attorney adviser to former commission of the Federal Trade Commission, Noah Phillips, to its antitrust practice. The firm also added antitrust partners Eileen Cole from White & Case and Craig Falls from Dechert last year.

Orrick last week completed a combination with Washington-founded law firm Buckley.

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