10 Tips for Practicing in Antitrust Law

10 Tips for Practicing in Antitrust Law

2.8.2022

By Michella Hand

In February 2022, the Antitrust Law Section participated in a law student roundtable discussion that provided current law students with a better understanding on the experiences, rewards, and challenges practicing attorneys have faced in Antitrust Law while offering insight on the various career opportunities available.

From this discussion one of the panelists, Puja Patel, Esq., from Allen & Overy LLP, compiled 10 tips for law students who are pursuing a career of practicing in Antitrust Law:

1. Reach out to antitrust lawyers. Don’t be afraid to reach out to antitrust lawyers through NYSBA or through other connections (e.g., law school alumni). Antitrust lawyers love what they do and always appreciate the next generation taking an interest in the field!
2. Take an antitrust class in law school. It will teach you the basic fundamentals and key legal doctrine, and it will help you decide at an early stage whether this is an area you would like to pursue further.
3. Be flexible. Antitrust is an area that spans both transactional work and litigation, so it is very important to be open and flexible to all aspects of antitrust law. The best antitrust lawyers are those that have tried it all.
4. Remember, private practice is not the only option. One of the great things about antitrust law is that it is an area you can practice at a firm (on both sides of the “v”), in government (federal or state), and in-house. The career options are limitless!
5. Use your summer jobs to learn more about antitrust. Consider interning at a government antitrust agency or if you are a summer associate at a firm, make sure to take some assignments from the antitrust group.
6. Keep up with the news. Antitrust is a hot topic in the news these days, so it is very important to keep up with the big cases, political debate, and legal changes in this area.
7. Get involved in the antitrust bar. One way to learn more about the field and expand your network is by getting involved in your local bar (like NYSBA) and its Antitrust Section.
8. Write articles. There is so much interesting literature in the antitrust area these days, and writing articles is a great way to get your name out in the field.
9. Attend antitrust seminars, trainings, and CLEs. This is another great way to expand your network and learn about the field through the lens of so many diverse and seasoned practitioners.
10. Don’t knock it until you try it. Antitrust is such a rich and diverse area of the law, and there is so much you can do within this field. Don’t be afraid to try something new!

For more information and resources for law students, please visit nysba.org/law-students