Christopher Yook (Chris)

Partner
Government Matters & Regulation
Washington, D.C. +1 202 626 3747
Experience
  • Representing a multinational credit reporting agency in a purported class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California involving credit reporting practices.
  • Representing a computer hardware and electronics manufacturer in litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California involving standard-essential patents and refusals to license on FRAND terms.
  • Representing a health system in a purported class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland alleging anticompetitive hiring practices impacting labor markets.
  • Representing a global agriculture company in a purported class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois involving claimed price-fixing of food products.
  • Obtained complete dismissal Porsche Cars North America, Inc. and Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche AG from multidistrict litigation alleging antitrust conspiracy over technological advancements, features, and costs (In re German Automotive Manufacturers Antitrust Litigation).
  • Obtained $84.9 million jury verdict in favor of BASF Corporation in an antitrust lawsuit against a competitor involving exclusive dealing and tying arrangements.
  • Represented Peloton Interactive, Inc. in antitrust countersuit against music publishers and in defending against copyright infringement claims.
  • Represented an applied-AI company in a trade secrets and antitrust case filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
  • Secured complete dismissal of generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer from price-fixing class action (In re Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation).
  • Representing Cornell University and Rice University before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in an antitrust class action involving financial-aid practices.
  • Successfully represented WestRock Company in its $4.9 billion acquisition of KapStone Paper & Packaging as part of investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division. The transaction was cleared without an enforcement action.
  • Represented a hospital in a U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division and state attorney general investigation of a collaboration with a health system.
  • Advised industry association in a House Judiciary Committee investigation regarding concerns about anticompetitive conduct in the advertising industry.
  • Counseled pharmaceutical manufacturers in congressional investigations into drug-pricing issues.
  • Counseled Oschner Health System in a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of a joint operating agreement with Slidell Memorial Hospital.
  • Represented Japanese automobile parts manufacturers in price-fixing cartel actions and government investigations spanning multiple jurisdictions (In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation).
Bio

Chris Yook represents clients in antitrust and consumer protection matters pursued by the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, and State Attorneys General.  A leader of the firm’s Antitrust and Consumer Protection practice, Chris is known for leading complex litigation matters, including some of the largest class actions in the U.S.  He also regularly advises companies on the antitrust implications of strategic business decisions.

Recommended in the Legal 500 US guide, Chris is described by clients as “exceptional in his capabilities of applying the relevant law to assist in helping create solutions for the client.”  He was named a 2023 D.C. Rising Star by the National Law Journal.  In addition, Chris has been recognized as \"One to Watch\" and a \"Rising Star\" by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.  

Chris currently serves as a Vice-Chair of the ABA Section of Antitrust Law's Global Private Litigation Committee.  Chris also sits on the board of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland and is an American Bar Foundation Fellow. 

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Capabilities
Antitrust & Consumer Protection
Capabilities
Life Sciences & Healthcare
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