Shearman & Sterling is pleased to announce that Ben Gris, former Assistant Director of the Mergers II Division of the Bureau of Competition at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joins the firm as a partner in its Antitrust practice based in Washington, D.C.

Ben’s practice focuses on merger counseling, litigation and multi-jurisdictional transactions across a wide range of industries with a particular focus on the high-tech and innovative markets. He has an exceptional reputation for his work at the FTC on complex transactions in the U.S. and abroad.

“We are delighted to welcome Ben to the firm. His deep experience at the FTC and in private practice provides our clients with a comprehensive perspective on antitrust merger review in the U.S. and around the globe,” said David Beveridge, Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling. “His arrival represents a natural continuation of the firm’s investment in our competition capabilities following the arrival of our four-partner team to our Washington, D.C. office in 2017.”

Global Antitrust Practice Group Leader David Higbee added: “Ben enjoys a reputation for excellence at the FTC and his addition bolsters our existing antitrust capabilities, which include former DOJ Antitrust Division lawyers. His arrival reinforces our position as one of the leading global antitrust practices – serving clients from end to end in competition matters, including pre-merger counseling, negotiation, litigation and/or settlement.”

Global Co-Managing Partner and Head of the firm’s Litigation practice Adam Hakki added: “Ben is an excellent addition to the team and represents a strategic next step in the growth of the firm’s Disputes team in Washington, D.C., where Lyle Roberts joined recently to bolster our securities litigation and enforcement capability. Ben’s arrival deepens and broadens our merger clearance team which is equipped to serve clients in their most complex transactions.”

At the FTC, Ben held a senior leadership role managing more than 30 lawyers responsible for investigating and litigating merger challenges across a range of industries, including computer hardware and software, data storage, media and entertainment, chemicals and automotive, among others.