RICHARD POWERS

Richard A. Powers is a Chambers ranked antitrust litigator who fights for corporate and individual victims of collusion and monopolization. He litigates high-stakes offensive antitrust actions in federal and state courts, provides strategic litigation counseling, and represents victims and whistleblowers before law enforcement agencies and regulators. Richard also defends executives, employees, and businesses in federal, state, and international antitrust enforcement actions and private litigation.

Richard’s approach draws on his extensive prior experience running the country’s most complex civil and criminal antitrust cases in roles at all levels of the DOJ Antitrust Division. He served as the DOJ’s Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division throughout 2021and was the DOJ’s senior antitrust prosecutor responsible for all criminal enforcement from 2018-2022. Richard brings deep knowledge of the Antitrust Division’s enforcement policies and practices and substantive expertise across the full spectrum of competition matters.

Under Richard’s leadership, the Antitrust Division litigated an unprecedented volume of cases against corporations and senior executives and brought landmark prosecutions in industries including financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, government procurement, and agriculture. He supervised the Justice Department’s first criminal monopolization cases in half a century and oversaw the prosecution of the first wage fixing and criminal no-poach prosecutions.

In addition to his 13+ years at the Justice Department, Richard was previously a partner at a large international law firm where he counseled corporate and individual clients in complex antitrust matters. He is an in-demand public speaker and commentator, appearing on television and podcasts, at conferences, and in print.

Military Experience

A West Point graduate and combat veteran, Richard served in the US Army as an infantry officer achieving the rank of Captain. He received a Bronze Star for his service as a platoon leader and executive officer in Baghdad, Iraq. Richard’s other military awards include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Badge.

Notable Publications & Appearances

• NYU Corporate Compliance Blog on criminal antitrust enforcement

• Op-ed in Federaltimes about honoring veterans through public service 

• Discussing the DOJ Apple litigation on Newsmax 

• Speaking on the ABA's Trust & Trade Podcast about criminal monopolization

• Bipartisan Letter on the Score Act

Professional Associations

• Vice Chair, ABA Antitrust Section International Cartel Task Force

• Executive Committee, Antitrust Section, New York State Bar Association

• Co-Chair, Antitrust Committee, Litigation Section, American Bar Association 2023-2025

Recognitions 

In addition to being Chambers rated, Richard has been recognized by Legal 500 for his significant antitrust litigation capabilities and was named a litigation star by Benchmark Litigation USA in its 2024 edition.