Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP announced today that M. Sean Royall, Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, will rejoin the firm as a Partner in the Washington, D.C. and Dallas, Texas offices, and as Co-Chair of the Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice Group.
Royall returns to Gibson Dunn after more than two years of service at the FTC, where he was one of three senior officials responsible for overseeing all of the FTC’s antitrust enforcement activities and investigations. During his tenure with the FTC, Royall took the lead in a number of high-profile antitrust matters, including investigations of the Chevron-Texaco, General Mills-Pillsbury, and Pepsi-Quaker Oats mergers, and the proposed acquisition of on-line recruitment firm HotJobs.com by its rival, Monster.com.
Royall also took the lead in developing and prosecuting a highly important FTC monopolization suit against Rambus Inc., a California-based designer of computer memory and other semiconductor devices. In early August, Royall and a team of FTC staff attorneys completed a three-month trial in the Rambus case, a case that is being closely watched by antitrust lawyers and many in the high-tech industry.
Mr. Royall’s experience as a lead trial lawyer in cutting-edge antitrust suits, and his broad experience with FTC policy and enforcement issues, are a natural fit for Gibson Dunn’s highly regarded Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice Group, which Mr. Royall will Co-Chair upon returning to the firm. Gibson Dunn provides an excellent base for Mr. Royall to continue building his reputation as top-flight litigator and antitrust specialist.
“I am delighted to be returning to Gibson Dunn,” explained Mr. Royall. “Gibson Dunn’s well-deserved reputation as one of the top antitrust practices in the country, as well as its depth of talent and commitment to the continued success of this practice, will provide me with an ideal base upon which to continue building my practice,” he stated.
A native of Texas with deep ties to the state, Mr. Royall will maintain offices in both Washington D.C. and Dallas.
