Crowell & Moring LLP has strengthened its antitrust and competition practice with the addition of William Reiss, the former head of Robins Kaplan LLP’s New York antitrust group. The firm confirmed that Reiss has joined as a partner in its New York office.
Reiss is widely recognized as a first-chair trial lawyer with extensive experience handling complex antitrust disputes. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in high-value litigation matters and has played a leading role in major class action cases.
At Crowell, Reiss will work within the firm’s antitrust and competition team, contributing to its recovery-focused practice. The firm said he will help corporate and institutional clients pursue compensation strategies that extend beyond traditional class action settlements, particularly in situations involving large-scale competitive harm.
In a statement, Reiss said he plans to focus on developing tailored litigation strategies that align with clients’ business objectives. Drawing on his background in class action litigation, he intends to assist major corporations in strengthening their recovery efforts when facing antitrust-related damages.
Throughout his career, Reiss has secured more than $1.2 billion in recoveries in complex antitrust matters, according to the firm. He previously served as co-lead counsel representing direct purchasers in litigation involving single-serve coffee products and is expected to continue related work on behalf of direct-action clients.
Crowell leadership described Reiss as a strategic and detail-oriented litigator known for managing complex cases and coordinating closely with clients and co-counsel teams. His addition is seen as part of the firm’s continued investment in expanding its competition law capabilities.
Beyond private practice, Reiss is active in professional and nonprofit organizations. He currently chairs the Antitrust Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and serves on the board of the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. His pro bono work has included advocacy for families participating in hearings connected to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
Reiss pointed to artificial intelligence as one of the most significant emerging issues in competition law. He noted that corporate counsel are navigating increased regulatory and private enforcement scrutiny as AI-driven technologies reshape markets. He expects courts to establish new legal standards in the coming years regarding how antitrust laws apply to evolving technologies.
Before joining Crowell, Reiss spent more than a decade at Robins Kaplan, where he rose from associate to partner. He previously practiced at several national firms and holds degrees from New York University School of Law and George Washington University.
The move comes as major law firms continue competing for experienced antitrust litigators amid heightened enforcement activity and growing corporate demand for sophisticated competition counsel.
