Crowell & Moring Wins Litigation of the Year - Cartel Defense Award at the 2026 Global Competition Review Awards

Washington, D.C. – April 1, 2026: Crowell & Moring has won the Litigation of the Year – Cartel Defense Award at the 2026 Global Competition Review (GCR) Awards. These awards recognize the world's leading antitrust lawyers, economists, and enforcers, and highlights the most significant cases from 2025.

This year, Crowell & Moring was shortlisted for its work on two matters:

Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation

Hansen v. Northwestern University, et al.

Crowell & Moring shares the Litigation of the Year – Cartel Defense prize with a number of other firms who together defended four major railways in the long-running In re: Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation, recognized for creative, strategic, and innovative litigation. The Crowell & Moring team represented longtime client CSX Transportation, Inc., securing summary judgment that brought nearly twenty years of litigation to a close.

That result was the product of an extraordinary team effort spanning nearly two decades. Led by Kent Gardiner and Luke van Houwelingen, core team members also included Toni Jackson, Eric Enson, Drake Morgan, Eric Fanchiang, Melissa Nguyen, Rachel Lesser, and Zariah Altman.

Crowell & Moring's Antitrust and Competition Group works with many of the biggest names in global business, delivering creative solutions for high-stakes disputes, complex investigations, and transformative transactions. With more than 80 dedicated antitrust practitioners, the group offers a deep bench with extensive experience in litigation, government investigations, merger clearance, and affirmative recovery actions.

To learn more about the GCR Awards, click here.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring is an international law firm with operations in the United States, Europe, and MENA. Drawing on significant government, business, industry, and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex regulatory and policy, litigation, transactional, and intellectual property issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service, as well as its comprehensive programs and initiatives to advance the professional and personal development of all members of the Crowell community.

Media Contact:

Email: prteam@crowell.com