Antitrust Partners and Former FTC Officials Stephen Weissman and Michael Perry Join Gibson Dunn in D.C.

Firm News  |  March 1, 2021


Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Stephen Weissman and Michael J. Perry have joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as partners. Both Weissman, a former Deputy Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, and Perry, a former Counsel to the Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, join from Baker Botts L.L.P. and will continue their antitrust practices.

“Steve and Michael are terrific additions to the firm,” said Ken Doran, Chairman and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Their FTC experience, stellar reputations and strong relationships will not only complement our premier antitrust practice, but will also provide insightful perspectives to clients operating across a broad range of industries, including those in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, as well as energy and technology.”

“We’re pleased that Steve and Michael are joining our team in Washington,” said Cynthia Richman, Co-Partner-in-Charge of the Washington, D.C. office. “Their addition will add essential bandwidth to our thriving antitrust practice. And with merger and conduct investigations expected to pick up under the Biden administration, their previous government service, coupled with their extensive private sector experience, will be an asset for our clients facing regulatory investigations.”

“I’m thrilled to join Gibson Dunn,” said Weissman. “The firm’s exceptional antitrust platform and reputation for top-notch quality across sectors will serve as a strong foundation as we work to help clients manage a potentially more active enforcement environment.”

“I’m delighted to call Gibson Dunn home for the next chapter of my career,” said Perry. “The firm has an extraordinary group of talented antitrust lawyers, and I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues.”

About Stephen Weissman

Weissman’s antitrust and competition practice covers transactions, litigation and counseling across sectors. He has extensive experience advising both acquiring and acquired companies and third parties on antitrust investigations before the FTC and the U.S. Department of Justice. He also regularly serves as lead counsel in complex antitrust litigation in U.S. courts.

Before joining Gibson Dunn, Weissman was a partner and a section chair for Antitrust & Competition Law at Baker Botts. He served as Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition from 2013 to 2015, where he was involved in and supervised all merger and conduct matters investigated by the FTC. Previously, he was a partner at Howrey LLP.

Weissman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1994.

About Michael J. Perry

Perry’s practice focuses on merger and non-merger antitrust investigations before the FTC and the DOJ and on complex private and government antitrust litigation. He has particular experience with issues involving the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property law in the health care, life sciences and technology sectors. Perry serves as a Senior Editor for the Antitrust section of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Journal.

Before joining Gibson Dunn, Perry was a partner at Baker Botts. He also served as Counsel to the Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition from 2015 to 2016 and as an attorney at the agency from 2010 to 2014. He began his career at Latham & Watkins LLP.

Perry graduated with distinction in 2007 from Stanford Law School, where he was Managing Editor of the Stanford Law & Policy Review and President of the Moot Court Board. He served as a law clerk for Judge Allyne R. Ross in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and Judge Michael A. Chagares in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.