Perkins Coie Expands Antitrust Capabilities as Veronica Onyema Joins Litigation and Antitrust Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 22, 2026)—Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Veronica Onyema, former assistant chief of the Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, has joined the firm’s Litigation and Antitrust practices as a partner in Washington, D.C.

On the litigation front, Veronica brings significant experience. She has helped lead landmark enforcement actions in the technology and financial services sectors, setting litigation and trial strategy, serving in key roles on trial teams, and conducting direct and cross-examinations of senior executives. She was also regularly sought out for written advocacy, drafting or overseeing legal writing in major enforcement matters. 

As an assistant chief, Veronica oversaw high-profile merger and conduct investigations, working closely with senior leadership and staff. She also personally led investigations in the satellite, automotive, space, electronics, and reusable packaging industries, among others, during her time at the DOJ. 

Her capabilities will bolster the firm’s Antitrust & Unfair Competition practice, which in 2025 saw the arrival of highly regarded competition lawyer Miranda Cole—as well as a team of associates—in the European Union and United Kingdom. 

“Amid headline-grabbing antitrust cases and an anticipated surge in M&A activity, Veronica’s lead trial and merger investigations experience at the DOJ make her a perfect addition, further strengthening the depth of our antitrust capabilities,” said Shari Brandt and Julia Markley, co-chairs of the Litigation practice. “Her presence immediately deepens our ability to manage complex antitrust litigation and counsel dealmakers on prospective regulatory risks.” 

Before her tenure with the Antitrust Division, Veronica served in the DOJ Civil Division as a trial attorney in the National Courts Section, serving as counsel of record for the United States in numerous bid protest and contract termination matters. She also handled and argued appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Prior to her government service, Veronica was an antitrust lawyer at two prominent law firms where she worked on several notable matters, including litigating a multibillion-dollar monopolization case and defending a chocolate manufacturer in a significant antitrust class-action suit. 

“I’m excited to start this next chapter and return to private practice at Perkins Coie,” Veronica said. “The firm’s collegial and collaborative culture is a perfect fit; I look forward to growing the firm’s antitrust litigation capabilities and working alongside their talented bench of talent.” 

Veronica earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and her Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School.