Rob Murray Joins Crowell & Moring London Office, Boosts Antitrust Litigation Practice

LONDON -

In a significant move to boost its international antitrust practice, Crowell & Moring LLP’s London office has gained new partner Rob Murray, the former European managing partner of Cohen Milstein Hausfeld & Toll LLP. Murray will spearhead many of the firm’s UK and European competition litigation matters, notably involving damage claims, extending Crowell & Moring’s sophisticated, U.S.-based civil litigation practice, which successfully acts for both claimants and defendants. He will also advise the firm’s clients on the increasing civil liability risks of anti­competitive conduct. The move adds increased depth to the firm’s presence in London, as well as further strength to the firm’s broader antitrust capabilities in Brussels, Washington, D.C., California and New York.

“Cartels are often international in nature and implemented on a global scale. Rob has been at the forefront of cartel damages recovery work in Europe, where companies are asserting their rights for the first time and need seasoned, practical counsel throughout the process. He brings the experience, innovation and ability to develop robust, balanced strategies that will be a tremendous asset to our international team,” said Kent A. Gardiner, Crowell & Moring chairman and head of the firm’s Recovery Group.

Crowell & Moring has successfully represented corporations including AT&T, DuPont, UTC, and Caterpillar in obtaining antitrust recoveries. In the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, the firm represents five international clients in the so-called “carbon brushes” litigation, which is among the first cases ever brought in the U.K. by businesses seeking to recover damages suffered as a result of illegal cartel activities.

“In today’s economic climate, cash is king, and companies can ill-afford to leave losses on the table. Companies may have a fiduciary duty to their shareholders to recover significant losses suffered as a result of cartel activity, but they also have a business need to manage their risks in pursuing such claims including maintaining good relationships with their suppliers. The right strategy is not scorched earth litigation, but the kind of sophisticated approach to recover value while maintaining important business goals at the same time. As a firm used to defending the interests of many of the world’s leading corporations, Crowell & Moring understands how to put the clients’ long-term interests first. That is why the world’s top companies have trusted us to handle their litigation,” said Murray.

Murray added, “Crowell & Moring has pioneered innovative approaches to litigation fee and financing structures that helps mitigate monetary risk for clients. We share in the risk and offer a variety of solutions to make these actions viable for our clients.”

In addition to competition litigation, Murray will advise clients on UK and other merger control issues: Murray was a Reporting Panel Member of the Competition Commission, where he served on three merger Panels (British Salt/New Cheshire Salt Works, Heinz/HP and Svitzer/Adsteam).

Murray also has substantial private practice experience, having trained with Clifford Chance, where he practiced with its EC Unit in Brussels. More recently, he headed DLA’s EU and competition group in the UK.

Murray has an Honours Degree in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford, an LLM in International and Comparative Law, Magna Cum Laude, from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. He contributes regularly to the City University Law Masters Programmes and is a guest tutor on the International and European Law LLM at the Vrije University where he teaches European private competition litigation.

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with more than 450 lawyers practicing in litigation, antitrust, government contracts, health care, corporate, intellectual property and a variety of other practice areas. More than two-thirds of the firm’s attorneys regularly litigate disputes on behalf of domestic and international corporations, start-up businesses, and individuals. Crowell & Moring’s extensive client work ranges from advising on one of the world’s largest telecommunications mergers to representing governments and corporations on international arbitration matters. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm also has offices in New York, London, Brussels, Los Angeles, and Orange County, CA. Visit Crowell & Moring online at www.crowell.com.

Source: Crowell & Moring LLP

Jessica O’Neil of Crowell & Moring LLP, +1-202-508-8750, joneil at crowell.com