Shearman & Sterling has expanded its antitrust litigation capability with the addition of nationally-recognized practitioner John Cove, who joins the firm from Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP as a partner in the Bay Area.

“We are proud and excited to have John join us. He is a superb addition to our Litigation and Antitrust Groups, our Bay Area team and our partnership,” said Creighton Condon, the firm’s Senior Partner.

Beau Buffier, Co-Head of the firm’s Global Antitrust Group added that “John’s background and experience will be a tremendous asset to our award-winning antitrust team, and align exceptionally well with our clients’ global competition law needs.” Adam Hakki, Global Head of Shearman & Sterling’s litigation practice, noted, “John’s prominent reputation as a skilled litigator enhances our world-class disputes team on the West Coast and strengthens the firm’s antitrust litigation capability. We are delighted to welcome him to the firm.”

“We know our clients will be happy to see a partner of John’s stature join the firm,” said Patrick Robbins, Managing Partner of the firm’s Bay Area offices, “and we know he will make an immediate impact in the Bay Area.” Robbins and Cove have known each other for over 20 years, going back to when the two worked together at the Department of Justice in San Francisco early in their careers.

Cove has represented plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state antitrust cases, including price fixing, boycott and monopolization cases, direct and indirect purchaser class actions, and unfair competition actions in federal and state courts across the country. He has also represented clients in federal grand jury investigations into alleged cartel activity and other criminal offenses, in premerger reviews before federal and state antitrust authorities, and in proceedings with competition authorities outside the United States. His antitrust works spans a wide variety of industries, including telecommunications, financial services, energy, computer software and hardware, airlines, chemicals, entertainment, and various consumer products.

In addition to his antitrust work, Cove has also defended companies and individuals in class and non-class actions alleging securities fraud and related offenses in federal and state courts, and in SEC proceedings.

Before joining Boies Schiller & Flexner in 2001, Cove was a trial attorney with the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice. He is a former Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Antitrust Section of the California State Bar, and has taught and lectured on antitrust issues before a variety of audiences, including state, local and foreign antitrust authorities.

“I am also very excited about practicing with my new partners at Shearman & Sterling,” Cove said. “The firm boasts an outstanding international client base, and stellar Litigation and Antitrust groups, and I look forward to helping to expand these market-leading practices.”