Partner
Antitrust
“I like to help clients navigate complex antitrust challenges with strategic, practical advice. Whether in litigation, investigations, or counseling, I provide solutions that deliver results and align with clients’ goals and business objectives.”
Legal 500 U.S., 2023 and 2024
Nicole L. Castle provides strategic legal counsel in complex civil and criminal antitrust litigation. She has extensive experience representing clients in class action antitrust cases, including multidistrict litigation. Nicole also represents companies in merger and nonmerger antitrust investigations conducted by the Federal Trade Commission, United States Department of Justice, and state attorneys general.
Nicole offers strategic advice on cartel prosecutions and defenses, from the initial stages of government inquiries to follow-on civil class action litigation. Nicole has been recognized by publications such as Benchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and Legal 500 as a leading professional in antitrust and unfair competition litigation.
Nicole regularly assists companies in responding to Second Requests and Civil Investigative Demands. She works with clients to develop practical, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for managing and producing electronically stored information.
Additionally, Nicole regularly provides antitrust counseling to clients on a wide range of topics including information sharing, pricing and distribution, and trade association activities. Nicole’s antitrust experience spans various industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer products, defense and aerospace, and food and beverage.
Nicole also represents clients in commercial litigation matters involving claims of false and misleading advertising, violation of state unfair competition laws, and other business torts.
Defended an American multinational technology company in various lawsuits against claims of false advertising and violation of state unfair competition statutes
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 In re Publication Paper Antitrust Litigation
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 In re Domestic Drywall Antitrust Litigation
Defended two defendants 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 In re Generic Pharmaceuticals Antitrust Litigation
Represented a Fortune 500 American health care company in grand jury investigation which resulted in the DOJ pursuing no enforcement action
Defended multinational restaurant chain and its affiliates in putative class action in which a proposed class of employees challenged “no-poach” clauses in the company’s franchise agreement under federal and state antitrust laws
Education
Admissions
Client Alerts
Q2 2026 Healthcare Antitrust and Competition Update
The pace of policy initiatives, legislation, enforcement actions, and private litigation related to antitrust and competition in the healthcare sector …
August 24, 2026
August 24, 2026 • 14-minute read
Client Alerts
FTC’s FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan: Strong Enforcement Signals Despite Business-Friendly Tone
By Jason Powers, Adam Hudes, Nicole Castle, Reese Poncia, and Stephen Creighton* Overview The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently issued …
July 21, 2026
July 21, 2026 • 3-minute read
Client Alerts
Q1 2026 Healthcare Antitrust and Competition Update
The healthcare sector accounts for an increasingly significant component of the U.S. economy. Healthcare spending constitutes 18.0 percent of U.S. …
May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026 • 11-minute read
Client Alerts
2025 Energy & Chemicals Antitrust Report
Vinson & Elkins’ 2025 Energy & Chemicals Antitrust Report details how antitrust enforcement under the second Trump administration has shifted …
January 13, 2026 •
January 13, 2026 • 1-minute read
Client Alerts
New York Enacts S7882 Prohibiting Algorithmic Coordination in Residential Rent-Setting
On October 16, 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill S7882 into law, adding Section 340‑b to the New York General Business Law.
October 21, 2025 • V&E Antitrust Update
October 21, 2025 • 4-minute read
Awards & Rankings
The Legal 500 US 2026 recommended Vinson & Elkins as a leading law firm in 47 practice categories. In total, …
June 10, 2026
June 10, 2026 • 3-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins Secures Major Litigation Victory for Chinese Client
Vinson & Elkins today announced that it secured a significant victory for Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd (“Wanhua China”) in …
February 12, 2026
February 12, 2026 • 2-minute read
Firm News
Antitrust Litigator Nicole Castle Joins Vinson & Elkins in New York
Castle has broad-based experience handling complex civil and criminal antitrust litigation and investigations and defending mergers and acquisitions before the DOJ and FTC
March 26, 2025
March 26, 2025 • 2-minute read
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