Recognition

Ten Bates White experts have earned spots on the Lexology Index: Competition 2026 report, underscoring the firm’s global reputation for rigorous economic analysis, expert testimony, and advisory work in complex competition and antitrust matters.

This year’s recognition includes two Bates White experts named to the list for the first time: David Barth, PhD, and Slava Zayats, PhD. Dr. Barth has more than 20 years of experience as an antitrust economist specializing in monopolization and price-fixing litigation across both high-tech and traditional industries. He has led economic analyses in major Sherman Act matters, including the US v. Google Search and Ad Tech cases, and has testified in federal court. Dr. Zayats has 20 years of experience as an expert economist specializing in antitrust and healthcare matters. He has extensively advised clients through all stages of merger review, including litigated mergers, across a wide range of industries. In commercial disputes and litigations, Dr. Zayats has provided both written and oral expert testimony.

Five Bates White experts earned recognition for their thought leadership across a range of cases. Notably, Nicholas Hill, PhD, and Cory Capps, PhD, received the prestigious distinction of Global Elite Thought Leaders in Competition—an honor earned by only 5% of all listed practitioners in a given year. Additionally, Leemore Dafny, PhD; Joseph Farrell, DPhil; and Michael Whinston, PhD were each named as a Thought Leader in Competition, further highlighting the firm’s exceptional standing in the field. 

Lexology Index identifies leading competition economists, expert witnesses, and advisers across the globe. Inclusion in the report is based on an extensive nomination, research, and vetting process conducted with input from industry peers, corporate counsel, and clients. Those recognized are celebrated as preeminent names in their practice areas due to their outstanding performance and expertise. Fewer than 200 US-based competition economists were recognized by Lexology Index for 2026.

Bates White has been a regular presence on the Lexology Index Competition Expert, Thought Leader, and Global Elite Thought Leader lists for more than a decade. This continued recognition reflects the firm’s longstanding commitment to delivering top-tier economic consulting and testimony in competition and antitrust cases.

Learn more below about the ten Bates White experts recognized on the 2026 Competition consulting experts list.