They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Bradley Justus of Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider

Bradley Justus

Age: 37

Law Firm: Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider

Practice Area: Antitrust

Title: Partner

Location: Washington, DC

Law School: University of Virginia School of Law

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.

I was honored to help try U.S. v. Google in the Eastern District of Virginia, defending Google against antitrust claims seeking to break up its ad technology business. That case is ongoing, but Google so far has prevailed in half the case.

I also helped Momenta Pharmaceuticals successfully resolve a pair of antitrust litigations brought by a competitor and a class of indirect purchasers. We were retained after Momenta had suffered a challenging patent trial loss and faced potential issue preclusion in the antitrust cases.

We were able to help the company develop strong antitrust defenses notwithstanding the patent trial loss, and to present the story of its amazing procompetitive innovations. Following a successful resolution of both litigations, Momenta was able to continue its mission of saving lives.

On the merger clearance front, a bit earlier in my career I played a lead role in obtaining antitrust clearance for Dow Chemical’s $130 billion merger with DuPont—one of the largest and most complex merger reviews in history. Many of the product overlaps were country-specific, requiring lots of different analysis and advocacy across the globe. After leading much of the US advocacy, I was often the person on the ground in non-US geographies working to obtain the rest of the necessary approvals.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?

I learned the importance of compassion and empathy. Like most other young lawyers, I spent a lot of hours doing less-than-glamorous tasks that, in retrospect, were really important for skill-building. But at the time, I felt overwhelmed and overworked. I was fortunate to have teams around me that were always devoted to our shared task, working together and supporting one another.
It made all the difference between burning out and beginning a successful career. Today, I make a point of always supporting my junior (and not so junior) colleagues to make sure they are thriving in a job that can be physically and emotionally taxing.

I do my best to have a relationship with each member of the teams I lead, understand what is important to them as a person, and ensure their load is not too heavy. I hope to never again have to take a colleague to the emergency room in the middle of the night while preparing for a preliminary injunction hearing (true story), but I will be right next to them if the need arises. Being able to pay forward the support I was given is one of the best parts of my job.

How do you define success in your practice?

I define success as achieving meaningful results for my clients while supporting and elevating those around me. Winning major cases and securing victories in high-stakes litigation are important, but true success extends beyond the courtroom. It means being a mentor who empowers young lawyers, ensuring that they have the guidance and opportunities to thrive in a demanding profession.

I am proud of my advancement from associate to partner and leader within my firm, a journey shaped by both determination and mentorship of others. Now, as a partner, I strive to provide the same guidance to the next generation, helping them navigate their careers and find balance in an intense profession.

Success also means maintaining balance in my own life. As a parent, I understand the challenges of raising a family while managing the demands made of a law firm partner. I want to set an example, not just as a skilled lawyer but as someone who prioritizes both professional excellence and personal fulfillment. When I look back on my career, I hope to be remembered not only for my legal victories but also for the impact on those whom I worked with and mentored.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?

I am most proud of the role I have been able to play in helping develop Axinn’s unique culture—which is incisive, inclusive, and invested. We handle incredibly complex and demanding litigations and multimillion-dollar deal reviews while prioritizing collaboration in an environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and get the support they need to be successful.

We ensure that everyone shares in both the high-profile, career-building work and the meat-and-potatoes unglamorous tasks. We also recognize that people are more than just their work. I’m proud that we cultivate an environment where lawyers can thrive both professionally and personally, balancing ambitious careers with fulfilling lives. That balance, and our culture of shared success and excellence, is what sets us apart.

I’m also proud of the way I have been able to use my legal skills outside work. I’m able to provide legal help to my church and those around me, helping make challenging situations a bit more manageable. It is a small thing, but it is very important to me.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?

It is way too hard to pick just one. I have been so fortunate to work with a community of people at Axinn who have taught me so much. In particular, partner Michael Keeley and former Axinn partner Rachel Adcox, now an alumna, have both encouraged me to focus more broadly in my practice on building the set of skills needed to help lead the firm.

They both have helped me learn to better understand client objectives, consider how the pieces of a representation fit together, and manage large teams. Mike and Rachel have also always been endlessly encouraging as I’ve faced the hurdles of life and work.

Tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.

(1) Tyler Childers, “Charleston Girl,” and (2) 49 Winchester, “Yearnin’ For You.” It has been a very busy year, and I really enjoy both these songs from now-famous Appalachian musicians as a reminder of simpler times growing up in southwestern Virginia.

Bradley Justus of Axinn, Joelle Justus, and daughter, Virginia, in Brussels enjoying a bit of downtime over the holidays.

Photo Illustration: Jonathan Hurtarte/Bloomberg Law; Photo courtesy of Bradley Justus