Brian D. Schnapp
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, D.C. 20037
Brian has extensive experience representing companies in antitrust litigation and government investigations, including criminal grand jury investigations, class action litigation, and global competition enforcement actions. Brian’s experience includes representing clients across a broad range of industries, including technology, automotive, chemical, and agriculture.
A key area of Brian’s practice is defending multinational companies in cartel and price-fixing investigations. He has significant experience defending civil conduct challenges, including abuse of dominance cases, before global competition regulators. Brian has helped clients navigate global inquiries and respond to market studies regarding competition issues related to big data, pricing algorithms, and privacy.
Brian has been recognized by Bloomberg Law as one of the “Five Fresh Faces to Know in Antitrust,” and has been recognized as a D.C. “Rising Star” by the National Law Journal and Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters). Brian has also been recognized in Antitrust: Cartel by The Legal 500. In 2023, Brian was selected as one of eight finalists for Young Lawyer of the Year–Litigation by The American Lawyer.
Experience Highlights
Representing a U.S. technology company in a series of global competition investigations
Representing large Chinese chemical company in a grand jury investigation and follow-on litigation involving MDI and TDI chemicals now being litigated in the Western District of Pennsylvania
Advised clients regarding the antitrust implications of big data and the use of pricing algorithms
Represented a large parts manufacturer in the Department of Justice’s automotive parts investigation and related civil litigation
Credentials
- The George Washington University Law School, J.D. with honors, 2011 (Notes Editor, The George Washington Law Review)
- The George Washington University, B.A., International Affairs magna cum laude, 2006
- Brian was on secondment to a client and returned May 2, 2025
- The American Lawyer, Finalist for Young Lawyer of the Year–Litigation, 2023
- National Law Journal, DC Rising Star Winner, 2022
- Legal 500 U.S., Antitrust: Cartel, 2021 and 2022
- Bloomberg Law, Five Fresh Faces to Know in Antitrust, 2021
- Selected to the Washington, D.C. Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers® (Thomson Reuters), 2018−2024
- Professorial Lecturer in Law, the George Washington University Law School (2016-2017)
- Member: American Bar Association, Section of Antitrust Law
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- InsightJanuary 16, 2025
V&E Antitrust Update
- Rankings & AwardsApril 25, 2024
- InsightJanuary 11, 2024
- InsightJune 29, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsApril 28, 2023
- “DOJ’s Catch-22: Corporate Criminal Antitrust Targets Walk A Blurry Line with Culpable Employees,” The Antitrust Source, Vol. 15, Issue 6, August 2016 (co-author)
- “A Prescription for Trouble: Pfizer Hit with FCPA Charges as Focus on Foreign Corruption in the Pharmaceutical Industry Continues,” V&E Foreign Corrupt Practices Act E-communication, August 21, 2012 (co-author)
- “Government in the Director’s Chair? Court Finds Steptoe Not a State Actor in Internal FCPA Investigation,” Ethisphere, July 13, 2012 (co-author)
- “Supreme Court to Decide Important Class Certification Issue Regarding Class-Wide Damages Evidence,” Antitrust News & Notes, July 2012 (co-author)
- “U.S. Supreme Court to Dive Deeply Into Antitrust: Granting Certiorari in Two Antitrust Cases,” V&E Antitrust Updates E-communication, June 27, 2012 (co-author)
News & Insights
V&E Antitrust Update