David Higbee is Global Co-Head of the Antitrust Department. He advises clients on merger review, government and internal antitrust investigations, and complex litigation matters. He has represented clients before the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and his matters have spanned the defense, oil and gas, financial services and technology, and other industries.
Higbee, who oversaw the global antitrust practice at his prior firm, has long been recognized for his antitrust prowess. One client notes that Higbee “provides superior client service. He focuses on how to drive success and aligns his team to achieve measurable progress quickly. He is dedicated, transparent in his communications and diligent.” Another client said that Higbee “is exceptionally responsive, creative, and practical. He is able to assemble fit for purpose teams and deliver outstanding results.” Higbee “provides very sound practical advice in complicated situations, he is perfectly responsive and he really understands the antitrust world,” a third client notes. “He’s a superb practitioner.”
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2027 | Antitrust & Competition Law, inc. M&A, Investigations, Litigation |
| The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers | 2026 | Antitrust & Competition Law, inc. M&A, Investigations, Litigation |
| The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2026 | Antitrust & Competition Law, inc. M&A, Investigations, Litigation |
| The 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers | 2025 | Antitrust & Competition Law, inc. M&A, Investigations, Litigation |
| The 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2025 | Antitrust & Competition Law, inc. M&A, Investigations, Litigation |
| The 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2024 | Antitrust & Competition Law, inc. M&A, Investigations, Litigation |
| Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2022 | Antitrust & Competition Law, inc. M&A, Investigations, Litigation |
Previously, Higbee served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Staff of the Antitrust Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. In that capacity, he advised the Assistant Attorney General on all matters related to the enforcement of U.S. antitrust laws, and oversaw investigations, civil litigation and criminal prosecutions.
Earlier, he served as Deputy Associate Attorney General, and as Counsel to the U.S. Attorney General and White House Liaison. He was also designated a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. Additionally, Higbee led transition planning for the Antitrust Division during the change in administrations between 2016-2017. He also served at the White House under President George W. Bush as Special Assistant to the President and as Associate Director for Presidential Personnel, advising on the appointment of senior officials throughout the executive branch.
Experience
Higbee’s representative transactional matters include advising:
- Chevron Corp. on competition matters in connection with its $55 billion acquisition of Hess Corp., $7.6 billion acquisition of PDC Energy, Inc., $3.15 billion acquisition of Renewable Energy Group, Inc., $5 billion acquisition of Noble Energy Inc., $50 billion proposed acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum, and acquisitions of Pasadena Refining System, Inc., Beyond6, LLC, and other transactional matters globally.
- Booz Allen in overcoming the DOJ’s attempt to block its $440 million acquisition of EverWatch.
- Raytheon Company on the U.S. and global merger control aspects of its $120 billion merger with United Technologies, and other transactional and strategic counseling matters globally.
- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation in its $923 million acquisition of Florida City Gas from NextEra Energy.
- Strategic Sports Group in a partnership with the PGA TOUR to launch PGA TOUR Enterprises.