Nicole Payne
Nicole advises clients on a range of antitrust and competition issues, with an emphasis on guiding clients through all aspects of the merger review process.
She focuses on securing regulatory approval from competition authorities around the world, including the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice. Nicole has defended and, while at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), investigated high-profile mergers across a range of industries, including consumer goods, technology, software, healthcare providers, entertainment, and pharmaceuticals.

Before joining the firm, Nicole was a staff attorney in the FTC's Bureau of Competition, where she worked on numerous complex merger investigations. She was previously an associate in the antitrust group of another international law firm.
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.