Katten, a prominent law firm, recently announced the rejoining of David Gonen as a partner in their Washington, DC Commercial Litigation practice. Gonen's return to Katten is significant, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his previous role as a lead attorney at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). At the FTC, Gonen spent 12 years in the Mergers I Division, notably working on pivotal antitrust investigations. His role involved groundbreaking cases against monopolistic acquisitions and challenging vertical mergers, including his work on the FTC's Illumina/Grail administrative trial. This case resulted in a landmark ruling and marked a major victory for the government in vertical merger challenges.

His insights are invaluable in navigating antitrust issues that are increasingly under heightened scrutiny. Gonen's contributions extend to his involvement in the development of the 2023 Merger Guidelines and the revised Premerger Notification Form. His tenure at the FTC was marked by numerous accolades, including the prestigious Paul Rand Dixon Award. In addition to his work in Mergers I, Gonen participated in litigation and policy details, even representing the FTC at international conferences.

In his new role at Katten, Gonen will collaborate with various practices, including corporate, health care, and intellectual property. This alignment enhances the firm's capacity to provide practical strategies and manage antitrust concerns for clients, particularly in complex transactions. Kim Smith, the global chair of Katten's Corporate department, highlighted the value Gonen brings, especially to private equity clients navigating regulatory challenges in M&A transactions.

Before his FTC experience, Gonen was an associate at Katten, actively handling antitrust and intellectual property litigation. During his earlier tenure at Katten, he also received recognition for his pro bono work. With approximately 700 attorneys in the US, London, and Shanghai, Katten is known for offering sophisticated legal services. Their practice spans corporate affairs, financial markets, intellectual property, and more, serving a diverse client base that includes public and private entities as well as non-profit organizations.