John Akin is an associate in the Antitrust practice.

He focuses on antitrust investigations, merger review, and complex litigation matters at both the trial and appellate level.

John has experience representing individuals and corporations in the context of government and internal investigations. He has successfully defended clients in multi-jurisdictional litigation arising from cross-border commercial disputes, and has experience navigating issues of cross-border regulatory compliance, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and U.S. economic sanctions. He has appeared on brief in multiple proceedings before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Prior to joining the firm, John served as a law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court, and worked as an associate in the dispute resolution and appellate litigation practices of two large London-based international law firms. He interned with the U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. John previously lived in Indonesia, where he taught English as part of the Fulbright Program with the U.S. Department of State.

• M&A. Represented clients in merger review before the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, and provided counsel regarding potential litigation exposure and other aspects of M&A deal advisory.
• Litigation. Defended clients in antitrust litigation and complex commercial disputes, including in proceedings to obtain discovery in aid of foreign arbitration, resulting in a precedent-setting jurisdictional ruling and dismissal of the action in the Southern District of New York.
• Government and internal investigations. Represented individuals and corporations in the context of government and internal investigations, including matters before the U.S. Department of Justice and in connection with potential FCPA violations in high-risk jurisdictions.
• Appellate. Appeared on brief in multiple proceedings before the U.S. Supreme Court. Representative issues include the constitutionality of race-based admission criteria in higher education, the application of Rule 9(b) in the context of FCA qui tam litigation, and the scope of administrative review under the Exchange Act.
• Compliance. Advised clients on programs and issues relating cross-border regulatory compliance, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering laws, and U.S. economic sanctions.
• Pro Bono. John has been recognized on the Capital Pro Bono High Honor Roll for contributing over 100 hours to pro bono causes throughout the year. Recent examples include federal habeas proceedings in a capital case, veterans’ legal services, and individual representation in partnership with AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly.