Bates White is proud to announce that two of its distinguished experts, Dr. Leemore Dafny and Dr. Leslie Marx, have been recognized in the seventh edition of Global Competition Review’s “Women in Antitrust.” This prestigious accolade celebrates leading female professionals who have made groundbreaking contributions to the global antitrust landscape.
Dr. Dafny, is the Bruce V. Rauner Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, a Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and a Partner at Bates White. She has been named on Lexology Index's list of leading competition economists since 2018. Her influential work includes submitting expert reports, public comments, and amicus briefs, as well as testifying before federal and state agencies and both houses of Congress. Notably, she served as an expert for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its high-profile challenge to the proposed acquisition of Englewood Health by Hackensack Meridian Health, where she provided expert reports and deposition testimony and appeared in federal court.
As a first-time honoree, GCR invited Dr. Dafny to share her insights on industry trends and her professional journey. In the Q&A, she discusses the evolution of antitrust as a practice, noting increased representation of women in leadership roles within antitrust agencies and broader receptiveness to female economists, though challenges like stagnant gender diversity in economics PhD programs remain. She emphasizes the importance of pursuing impactful, passion-driven careers, advocates for continued support for working parents, and cautions against politicizing antitrust enforcement or expanding its scope beyond competition protection.
Dr. Marx, a Partner at Bates White and a repeat honoree of “Women in Antitrust,” is the Robert A. Bandeen Professor of Economics at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. In addition, Dr. Marx has been named on the Lexology Index list of leading competition economists since 2017. A distinguished economist, Dr. Marx has been retained as an expert in numerous high-profile antitrust cases, including In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation, where she represents multiple direct-action plaintiffs alleging that the four largest US-based Class I railroads conspired to inflate rail freight transportation prices. Her rigorous analysis of damages continues to play a critical role in this ongoing case.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Dafny and Dr. Marx for this well-deserved recognition,” said Scott Weishaar, Bates White Managing Partner. “This recognition underscores their impact on competition policy and their dedication to addressing some of the most challenging issues in the field. Their groundbreaking work and thought leadership exemplify the highest standards of excellence in antitrust economics.”
