Patrick V. Lai

Associate

Patrick Lai is an associate in the New York office.  During his time with the firm, he has been involved in all aspects of the firm’s antitrust practice, including mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and counseling.

Mr. Lai has participated in the defense and resolution of government merger investigations in the telecommunications, institutional pharmacy, and supermarket industries.  He has experience analyzing competitive effects of proposed mergers and acquisitions, preparing Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification forms for companies, and coordinating responses to second requests issued by the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission.

Mr. Lai has also been involved in antitrust litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.  Notably, he was a member of the litigation team that successfully defeated the City of New York’s motion for a Temporary Restraining Order in connection with the affiliation of Group Health Incorporated and Health Insurance Plan of New York.  He also participated in litigation brought on behalf of a client in the film exhibition industry, where damages and injunctive relief were sought under the Sherman and Clayton Acts.

Mr. Lai has also provided antitrust advice to numerous clients regarding Sherman Act and Hart-Scott-Rodino compliance issues. 

Prior to joining AV&H, Mr. Lai participated in the Department of Justice’s Summer Law Intern Program, where he worked in the National Criminal Enforcement Section of the Antitrust Division.  During that time, he examined antitrust immunities under the Shipping Act of 1984 in connection with an investigation into bid rigging on Department of Defense contracts.  Mr. Lai also interned with the Telecommunications and Media Enforcement Section of the Antitrust Division, where he participated in the investigation of EchoStar Communication Corp.’s proposed merger with Hughes Electronics Corp.

Bar & Court Admissions

• New York

Education

• The George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C., 2004 J.D.; Honors: Moot Court Board Member. Law Review: The George Washington International Law Review, Managing Editor.
• Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 2000 B.A. Major: Economics.

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association, Antitrust Section
• Association of the Bar of the City of New York