Ryan C.Thomas

Ryan Thomas is a leading antitrust lawyer, focusing on mergers, government investigations, counseling, and litigation. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, he represents public and private companies in U.S. and cross-border matters involving the FTC, DOJ, states, foreign competition authorities, and private litigation. His work spans many industries including semiconductors, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, chemicals, and building products. Ryan has particular experience defending technology and other companies in fast-changing industries against complex, novel (and often controversial) antitrust and IP-related theories of harm.

Ryan has an active merger practice, advising companies from premerger counseling through investigations, settlement, and litigation. He has obtained antitrust clearances in hundreds of transactions. Ryan has represented clients in many high-profile and complex matters including: Essilor's combination with Luxottica; Newell Brands' acquisition of Jarden; STERIS' acquisition of Synergy Health, including its successful defense against the FTC's challenge in federal court; Hertz's acquisition of Dollar Thrifty; SABMiller's joint venture with Molson Coors; and XM's merger with Sirius.

In merger and conduct matters Ryan represents international and domestic companies during investigations by U.S. (DOJ, FTC, states) and foreign competition authorities including the European Commission and China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).

Ryan also has extensive experience advising companies on (i) competitor collaborations; (ii) pricing, distribution, and standard setting issues; (iii) internal investigations; (iv) compliance programs; and (v) cartel investigations (responding to grand jury subpoenas, contesting allegations, and negotiating leniency and plea agreements).

In recent years, Ryan has worked with NVIDIA, Oclaro, TI, USG, Newell Brands, Essilor, Deere, Tokyo Electron, and M&G.