Vinson & Elkins Expands its San Francisco Litigation Practice with Addition of Antitrust Partners Mike Scarborough and Dylan Ballard

Scarborough is a renowned trial attorney focusing on antitrust litigation and competition-related government investigations. He has extensive experience handling international cartel investigations and litigation, class actions, high-stakes commercial disputes, consumer protection matters and litigation and regulatory advocacy at the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property law. Ballard focuses on competition cases, as well as state antitrust, consumer protection and unfair competition statutes. Both were previously partners at Sheppard Mullin.

“The Northern District of California is the nation’s most active antitrust court, and San Francisco is an important market for our clients — especially in the technology and energy industries — so building our team there is a key piece of the firm’s growth strategy,” said Craig Seebald, Co-Head of Vinson and Elkins’ Litigation & Regulatory department and a leader of the firm’s global Antitrust practice. “I have known and worked with Mike and Dylan for many years and they have impressive track records handling some of the biggest and most complex antitrust cases and their addition immediately strengthens our position as a leader in antitrust litigation.”

Scarborough, who served as Chair of the Antitrust and Competition practice at Sheppard Mullin, regularly represents multinational businesses in all phases of class action, direct plaintiff and competitor litigation, from precomplaint investigation through trial and appeal, and frequently guides businesses and individuals through civil and criminal matters involving federal and state enforcement agencies. Recognized by Chambers USA* as one of the country’s leading antitrust practitioners, he has helped clients successfully manage and avoid regulatory inquiries and litigation around the world.

“I’ve been co-counsel with Vinson & Elkins on several large corporate antitrust matters, so I know they do exemplary work and that there is a strong synergy between our practices, which will benefit my existing and future clients,” said Scarborough. “The firm’s collaborative culture, along with its focus on growing the litigation and antitrust group in California, make this an opportunity I look forward to building on.”

Ballard’s practice encompasses civil and criminal matters in both state and federal jurisdictions, before both trial and appellate courts, as well as various international arbitration tribunals. He also routinely counsels businesses on antitrust risks and best practices for avoiding them. Ballard has served as counsel in some of the largest and most complex antitrust cases of all time. He has extensive experience in the area of overlap between antitrust and intellectual property laws, including cutting-edge antitrust and competition issues arising from the use and licensing of standard-essential patents.

“As the focus on antitrust enforcement from both sides of the political spectrum has increased over the past several years, I’ve been impressed by the way Vinson & Elkins has evolved and strengthened its practice to help clients navigate these new challenges,” Ballard said. “I am eager to work with the talented team at Vinson & Elkins and I look forward to increasing momentum for the firm on the West Coast.”

“Mike and Dylan have significant depth of experience in antitrust litigation and investigations and their capabilities complement the recent expansion of our antitrust litigation practice in Washington, D.C.,” said Darren Tucker, head of Vinson & Elkins’ Antitrust practice.

Scarborough received his J.D. degree from UC Berkeley School of Law and his bachelor’s, phi beta kappa, from the University of Virginia. Ballard earned his law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law and his B.A. degree from UC Santa Barbara, with highest honors.

Vinson & Elkins’ Antitrust practice guides clients through their most challenging competition law issues. The team helps domestic and international clients with needs from the boardroom to the courtroom: structuring strategic transactions, obtaining regulatory clearances, facing regulatory inquiries and criminal investigations, and litigating class actions and other civil cases.

*Recognized by Chambers USA from 2016-present