HSF Kramer's US Push Continues with Top Antitrust Lawyer David Pearl

WASHINGTON, DC – March 19, 2026 – Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) has announced the addition of prominent antitrust attorney David Pearl as a partner in its Washington, DC office. The move marks the latest high-profile acquisition in the firm's ambitious US investment strategy, signaling a determined push to build a powerhouse antitrust practice amid an increasingly stringent global regulatory environment.

Pearl, who joins from Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, brings nearly two decades of experience spanning both the private and public sectors. His arrival follows a series of strategic hires designed to bolster HSF Kramer's capabilities in the highly competitive American legal market.

An Aggressive US Expansion Strategy

David Pearl's recruitment is a key component of a larger, meticulously executed growth plan that began shortly after the firm's own creation. HSF Kramer was formed in June 2025 through the transformational merger of the Anglo-Australian giant Herbert Smith Freehills and the New York-based Kramer Levin. The combination created a global behemoth with over 2,700 lawyers across 26 offices, but firm leadership made it clear that the merger was not an end point, but a launchpad—particularly for its US operations.

The firm has set an ambitious target for its US business to contribute 30% of total firm revenue in the coming years. To achieve this, it has embarked on an aggressive talent acquisition campaign, aiming to hire approximately 20 new partners in key strategic areas like private equity, M&A, and antitrust. To accelerate this push, HSF Kramer has even streamlined its internal recruitment processes for “US investment lateral candidates,” enabling quicker approvals for strategic hires.

This strategy has already yielded significant results. Last September, the firm brought on Burr Eckstut from White & Case as its Head of US Technology Transactions in New York. Just a month later, it made a cornerstone hire for its antitrust practice by recruiting John Elias, a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, to its DC office. Pearl's arrival is a clear signal that the firm is doubling down on its investment in building a premier competition group in the heart of the American regulatory establishment.

Navigating a New Era of Antitrust Enforcement

The timing of HSF Kramer's investment in its antitrust practice is no coincidence. The firm is building its team in response to one of the most aggressive antitrust enforcement climates in recent memory. Under the current administration, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have adopted a muscular approach to merger reviews and competition policy, fueled by a “whole-of-government” effort to challenge corporate concentration.

This has created a challenging and uncertain landscape for businesses. Companies considering mergers and acquisitions now face the prospect of longer review timelines, more frequent and burdensome “second requests” for information, and a higher likelihood of facing a government lawsuit to block a deal. The introduction of new Merger Guidelines in 2023 has only added to the complexity, expanding the potential theories that agencies can use to challenge transactions.

High-profile deals have been publicly challenged or abandoned under this heightened scrutiny, with regulators showing a particular focus on the technology sector and acquisitions of nascent competitors. This environment has placed an enormous premium on elite legal counsel capable of navigating the intricate, high-stakes world of cross-border merger reviews and government investigations. The demand for attorneys with deep experience before the DOJ and FTC, as well as their international counterparts, has never been higher, making a seasoned practitioner like Pearl a critical asset.

A Blend of Public and Private Sector Expertise

What makes David Pearl a particularly strategic hire is his unique blend of experience. His career has given him a 360-degree view of the antitrust landscape, having worked within the government, against it in high-stakes litigation, and alongside it to secure approval for complex transactions.

Before his time in private practice at Axinn and Jones Day, Pearl served at the US Department of the Treasury. There, he helped advance policy initiatives in coordination with the White House and other federal agencies, gaining invaluable insight into the government's decision-making processes, including the review of transactions by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

This public sector background complements an impressive track record in private practice. He has been at the forefront of some of the most significant antitrust matters in recent years, representing Google in litigation and investigations related to its advertising technology business, and defending Tyson Foods in a major class action alleging price manipulation. His transactional experience is equally robust, having advised on multi-billion dollar deals such as AssuredPartners’ $13.45 billion acquisition by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Goodrich Corporation's $18.4 billion merger with United Technologies Corp.

Shifting the Competitive Landscape

With this latest hire, HSF Kramer is making a clear statement of intent to the established leaders in the antitrust world, such as Cleary Gottlieb, Latham & Watkins, and Gibson Dunn. While already a respected name globally, the firm is now aggressively assembling the talent needed to compete for the most significant US-centric and cross-border mandates.

Firm leadership has been vocal about this ambition. “David’s arrival underscores the momentum of our growth strategy in the US and our broader ambitions for our antitrust practice,” said Justin D’Agostino, Global CEO of HSF Kramer, in a statement. “His extensive experience, including in the tech sector where we have many clients, enhances our strength in the US and builds on the outstanding talent we are assembling across our global platform.”

Paul H. Schoeman, the firm's US Executive Partner, added that Pearl’s experience in cross-border litigation and complex mergers will “immediately benefit our clients doing business around the world.”

The strategy is not just about adding headcount but about building a cohesive, full-service group. Kyriakos Fountoukakos, HSF Kramer's Managing Partner of Competition, Regulation and Trade, noted Pearl would be a “fantastic addition to our global team,” highlighting the firm’s integrated approach.

For his part, Pearl expressed enthusiasm for this vision. “I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to build a full-service US antitrust group within HSF Kramer’s global platform,” he stated. “I look forward to working with John, Kyriakos and the rest of the team to expand the firm’s first-class competition practice in the US and be able to provide clients with a truly worldwide offering.” This ambition to create a seamless global service is precisely what the firm hopes will set it apart as it continues its aggressive climb in the US legal market.