C. Fairley Spillman
Partner Emeritus
- Focused on complex antitrust and unfair competition matters.
Fairley retired from the partnership in 2022. She provided representation and counseling to clients concerning antitrust matters. She represented companies in private antitrust litigation, including class actions and multidistrict litigation. She also represented clients in connection with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) antitrust conduct and merger investigations and related litigation.
Fairley’s counseling work included structuring joint ventures and other transactions to minimize antitrust risk, merger integration planning and activities of trade associations. Fairley’s work frequently included matters involving energy and healthcare industry clients. Fairley also had substantial experience advising on issues at the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property.
In addition, Fairley litigated and advised clients regarding a variety of actions of the federal government, particularly with respect to energy and transportation issues, including motor carrier safety. She represented a major public sector client in negotiations with the Department of Energy following the termination of the Superconducting Super Collider project and represented clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including in contested proceedings.
- Defended foreign financial institutions in class action litigation regarding Euroyen TIBOR and SIBOR rate setting.
- Defended antitrust claims brought against an innovative biotechnology company, resulting in jury verdicts in favor of the client.
- Represented a major medical device manufacturer in antitrust litigation brought by an alleged competitor, obtaining summary judgment for the client.
- Represented a major refining company in an FTC investigation.
- Represented a major generic pharmaceutical company in private, multiparty class action litigation and an investigation by the FTC of an alleged “reverse payment” settlement.
EducationJ.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude, 1984
B.A., Duke University, magna cum laude, 1981
J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude, 1984
B.A., Duke University, magna cum laude, 1981
Bar AdmissionsDistrict of Columbia
District of Columbia
- The Legal 500 US, Antitrust: Merger Control, 2017 and 2019, Antitrust: Civil litigation/class action: Defense, 2018 to 2022.
- “Energy Enforcement: Market Manipulation and Enforcement Concerns,” Akin Gump Seminar, Houston, October 19, 2016.
- “Forum Selection—Where Am I? Where Do I Want To Be?” National Capital Region Association of Corporate Counsel, Webinar with live audience, October 6, 2015.
- “The Attorney-Client Privilege in a Global Technological Age—Don’t Assume You’re Protected,” Washington Metropolitan Area Corporate Counsel Association, Webinar with live audience, February 2013.
