Amy W Ray Age:36 Position: Special counsel Firm: Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft City: Washington, DC Tell us about your work history What trends are developing in your jurisdiction? Before focusing on competition law at Cadwalader eight years ago, my docket spanned antitrust, intellectual property and commercial disputes. That combination of experiences shapes my multifaceted approach to practising law in the competition sector. With representations in multiple Southern District New York multidistrict litigation cases, I often feel as if I have one foot in DC and another in New York. In both places, we in the antitrust bar, in conjunction with competition and financial regulators alike, continue to develop the line distinguishing permissible price discovery from collusive arrangements that alter prices and associated benchmarks. Why did you choose to practise competition law? “Prioritise learning about how your local competition agencies function. Strive to broaden this education to additional jurisdictions” Among legal disciplines, antitrust is somewhat unique in that its practitioners apply the underlying technical expertise to counselling, investigations and litigation alike. I also appreciate the opportunity to weave both economics and policy into advocacy. Who in competition was your mentor/who inspires you? Rick Rule, formerly the assistant attorney general for the US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, heads Cadwalader’s competition practice.

I can attest that his grasp of antitrust law is immensely impressive – as is the fact that he oversaw the Antitrust Division at the age of 30. What competition enforcement trends do you anticipate developing by the time you are 45? The application of competition law to intellectual property rights remains at a relatively nascent stage of development. I envision increasing antitrust focus – and perhaps even consensus coalescing – on standard-essential patents, post-Actavis reversepayment settlement agreements, and other forms of patent licensing commitments. What advice would you give to those starting out in competition law? Prioritise learning about how your local competition agencies function. Strive to broaden this education to additional jurisdictions. What firm do you admire from afar? My vantage point is not too remote: I began my career with Jones Day and learned from talented practitioners there. Aside from competition law, what do you enjoy doing? Burgundy wine brings together generous enthusiasts and, to me, is a highly enjoyable form of networking.

Somewhat farther afield, attending this year’s Super Bowl underscored that capable commissioners are desirable in all institutions concerned with competition! First published in GCR 40 under 40, November 2015 .