Axinn

Overview

Axinn is a US-based, trial-ready litigation and regulatory firm best known for its market-leading antitrust practice and deep intellectual property and high-stakes commercial litigation capabilities. The firm positions itself as incisive, inclusive and invested, combining former agency experience (DOJ/FTC and other enforcers) with technical IP acumen to lead complex, multijurisdictional disputes and merger clearance matters. Axinn operates coast-to-coast from its core U.S. offices and emphasises early responsibility for junior lawyers, intensive practice-specific training, and a collaborative, inclusive culture.

• Headquarters: Washington, DC (1901 L Street NW)
• Lawyers: 121
• Offices: 4

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Competition & Antitrust
• Intellectual Property
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Corporate & M&A
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Technology & Digital

Geographic Focus: United States-focused, coast-to-coast capability with New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco and Hartford offices. The firm routinely leads multijurisdictional antitrust and IP matters and coordinates cross-border litigation and merger clearance strategies; it leverages former regulator experience to handle complex international investigations and transnational disputes.

Training Contract

Mentorship

Axinn pairs each associate with both a junior and a senior attorney as part of its formal mentoring programme. Mentoring complements practice-group trainings and one-on-one coaching (including business development coaching with the Head of Marketing & Business Development).

Apply on the Axinn website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Axinn Looks For

Key Competencies

• Exceptional academic and professional credentials
• Trial and litigation readiness
• Commercial awareness and client-focused thinking
• Strong written advocacy and legal writing skills
• Collaboration, teamwork, and collegiality
• Business development potential and interest
• Technical expertise for IP and life-sciences matters (where applicable)

Evidence Signals

• Prior experience at the DOJ Antitrust Division or the FTC’s Bureau of Competition (expressly welcomed for lateral antitrust hires)
• Substantive summer associate experience or prior law firm litigation/IP experience
• Pro bono and public interest work (Axinn offers a public interest stipend and highlights pro bono involvement)
• Mooting, trial advocacy, or extensive litigation clinic experience
• Practice-specific technical or scientific degrees for IP/life-sciences work

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Generous benefits package (firm describes offering a generous benefits package)
• Yearly allowance for business development efforts (for associates)
• Public Interest Opportunity Stipend: $25,000 for qualifying 1L students who accept a subsequent 2L summer offer
• Structured training programmes (Litigation Skills Training Program, practice-group seminars)
• Formal mentorship pairing (junior + senior attorney)
• Employee Resource Groups and sponsorship of external diversity and student programmes
• Opportunities for substantive early responsibility and trial experience
• Pro bono opportunities and encouragement to participate in community work

Wellbeing

Axinn promotes inclusivity and offers Employee Resource Groups, sponsorships of community and diversity initiatives, and encourages pro bono engagement.

Awards & Recognition

• Chambers USA: Antitrust Law Firm of the Year (Chambers USA Awards 2026)
• Global Competition Review: Firm of the Year – Americas (GCR Awards 2026)
• Legal 500: Recognised in the 2026 U.S. Guide for Antitrust and Litigation (rankings in Antitrust: Cartel; Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense; Merger Control)
• IAM Patent 1000: Recognised for Patent Litigation (2026) — New York and Washington, DC offices
• Best Lawyers®: Recognised in Thirteen Categories of 2026 “Best Law Firms” Report
• Lawdragon: multiple partner recognitions in 2026 guides (Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators; Lawdragon 500 X)
• Benchmark Litigation: Partners ranked in 2026 edition
• Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD): named a Top Performer and Compass Award winner (announced 2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Axinn participates actively in external diversity and development programmes (LCLD) and sponsors a range of diversity conferences and student outreach initiatives; the firm reports named membership/participation and LCLD awards acknowledging sustained commitment to inclusion.

• Employee Resource Groups: Asian American and Pacific Islander; AxinnPride; BOLD (Black Organization for Leadership and Diversity); Jewish Employee Resource Group; WIN (Women’s Initiative Network)
• Sponsorships & Partnerships: Charting Your Own Course Career Conference (CYOC); Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC); Equal Justice Works; Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD); Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA); My Brother’s Keeper / My Sister’s Keeper; National LGBTQ+ Bar Association; National Asian Pacific Bar Association (NAPABA); National Bar Association (NBA); South Asian Bar Association North America (SABA); The Washington Lawyers' Committee; Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
• Acceptance and participation in LCLD programs (Axinn attorneys accepted into LCLD 2025 programs; firm named LCLD Top Performer and Compass Award winner)
• Named individuals recognised by Profiles in Diversity Journal (e.g., Jason Murata, Lisl Dunlop, Leslie Overton, Kail Jethmalani, Denise Plunkett, Rebecca Clegg)

Pro Bono

Axinn encourages associates to engage in pro bono work; multiple attorneys have been named to the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll (seven Axinn attorneys named to 2025 Honor Roll). The firm promotes pro bono as a significant contributor to community service and associate development.

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Lead with antitrust: emphasise relevant cartel, merger review, or enforcement exposure — reference Axinn’s market-leading antitrust platform and specific deals (e.g., Broadcom/VMware, Dell/EMC) to show commercial fit.
• Highlight litigation readiness and writing: cite trial or moot experience and attach a strong writing sample — Axinn stresses persuasive legal writing and trial advocacy in its Litigation Skills Training Program.
• If applying laterally for antitrust, note government experience: candidates with DOJ Antitrust Division or FTC Bureau of Competition backgrounds are explicitly welcomed; explain how that experience maps to private-sector antitrust work.
• Demonstrate commitment to inclusion and pro bono: reference participation in ERGs, diversity programming, or meaningful pro bono/public interest work (the firm funds a public-interest stipend and emphasises community engagement).
• Show commercial and sector knowledge for life sciences or tech IP: for IP or Hatch-Waxman work, emphasise technical credentials or sector experience given Axinn’s life-sciences and SEP matters.