Overview
Nicole L. Castle provides legal counsel on complex civil and criminal antitrust litigation. She regularly represents clients in complex, multidistrict class action antitrust litigation alleging Sherman Act violations. She also defends mergers and acquisitions before the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Nicole regularly assists clients in developing practical, efficient and cost-effective solutions for the management, production and storage of electronically stored information.
Additionally, Nicole represents clients in government investigations before the FTC and DOJ. Nicole counsels clients on strategies for addressing cartel prosecutions and defenses, from the inception of government investigations to the initiation of civil class action litigation.
She also provides antitrust counseling on transactions, including counseling under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, advising on permissible pre-closing activities, defending transactions before the FTC or DOJ, and responding to Second Requests and Civil Investigative Demands.
Nicole’s experience extends to health care antitrust and pricing and distribution issues. She has represented health care providers in transactions, government investigations and litigation and has defended hospital mergers before the FTC. In addition to healthcare, she has represented clients in a wide variety of industries including pharmaceuticals, consumer products, defense and aerospace and food.
In addition, Nicole is committed to pro bono representation. She has served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem for a child in a custody dispute and has represented pro bono clients seeking guardianship of neglected children.
Prior to joining the Firm, Nicole was an intern at the FTC where she assisted with antitrust investigations and litigation.
Results
- Currently defending Impax Laboratories, Inc. in multidistrict litigation involving allegations that generic pharmaceutical manufacturers conspired to increase the price of generic pharmaceuticals in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act
- Defended Mars, Incorporated in a multi-district class action price-fixing litigation, winning summary judgment for Mars, Incorporated (In re Chocolate Confectionary Antitrust Litigation)
- Defended Stora Enso North America in a multi-district class action price-fixing litigation and in a criminal trial against the Department of Justice. After a five-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty
- Successfully defended hospital systems in several class actions alleging nurse wage-fixing conspiracy claims
- Successfully defended Lockheed Martin against monopolization and tortious interference claims involving aftermarket service on P-3 aircraft
- Defended Eagle Materials Inc. and American Gypsum Company LLC in a multidistrict litigation arising from allegations that defendants conspired to fix the price of gypsum wallboard in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act
Recognitions
- Legal 500 US, Recommended Lawyer, 2023-2024
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2021, Litigation – Antitrust
- Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List 2018-2021
- Washington, DC, Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2014-2016
- New York, NY Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2019-2020
- The Legal 500 US 2017 and 2021
Credentials
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, JD, cum laude, 2006
College of William and Mary, BA, magna cum laude, 2003
Admissions
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
New York
Courts / Agencies
US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
