Cooley Welcomes Norm Armstrong as Chair of Global Antitrust and Competition Practice

Washington, DC – May 4, 2026 – Today, Cooley announced that Norm Armstrong Jr. has joined as a partner and chair of its global antitrust and competition practice. Based in the firm’s Washington, DC, office, Armstrong brings decades of sophisticated experience in enforcement priorities, deal execution and cross-border antitrust matters from tenures within the highest levels of government and private practice.

A former deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, Armstrong advises clients on high‑stakes mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic transactions, as well as complex government investigations and antitrust litigation. His arrival underscores Cooley’s continued commitment to expanding its global, cross-departmental antitrust and competition offering to help clients navigate complex and evolving regulatory regimes.

“Norm is a seasoned talent and an exceptional addition to our antitrust and competition practice,” said Rachel Proffitt, Cooley partner and CEO. “His arrival meaningfully advances our goal of operating as a fully integrated global platform, strengthening our ability to help clients manage regulatory risk and pursue transformative transactions amid a rapidly shifting global competition landscape.”

“Cooley’s reputation for sophisticated deal work, combined with its deeply collaborative culture, was a major draw for me,” said Armstrong. “I’m excited to join a team that consistently delivers innovative, practical solutions for clients and highly motivated by the opportunity to lead a truly market‑defining antitrust and competition practice.”

Armstrong has advised public companies and financial-sector clients on high-value transactions and represented prominent institutions in complex antitrust litigation. At the FTC, Armstrong was among the agency’s most senior antitrust officials, overseeing merger and conduct investigations across healthcare, technology, pharmaceuticals, retail, consumer goods, energy and entertainment. He worked on landmark matters and litigation before the FTC, Department of Justice, and federal and state courts. Armstrong joins Cooley from Kirkland and Ellis.

Cooley’s antitrust and competition practice – recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 and Global Competition Review – handles all aspects of antitrust and competition law matters, including counseling, M&A, government investigations and litigation. Working for some of the most disruptive enterprises in the modern economy, from emerging companies to Fortune 500 corporations, the team regularly steers clients through regulatory review of bet-the-company transactions, government investigations and high-stakes litigation.

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