Avery Gardiner

Avery Gardiner is the Senior Fellow for Competition, Data, and Power at the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT). Her work examines the competition policy and legal implications of the accumulation of data in the United States and worldwide. She has particular interests in dynamic competition and consumer protection. Prior to joining CDT, Avery was an in-house competition lawyer for Verizon, where she focused on strategy, mergers, and business conduct. She also served in the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice as both a Trial Attorney and Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, where her work included representing the U.S. government in court, litigating merger cases, investigating allegations of anti-competitive conduct, and advising on case resolutions. She also worked at the law firms of Kirkland & Ellis and WilmerHale, where she advised clients and litigated cases for technology, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and many other clients. Avery began her career as a consultant with McKinsey & Company. In addition to her competition and antitrust work, she is also a former co-president at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. She has appeared extensively in media, including Fox News, NPR, the New York Times, Associated Press, Washington Post, and others. She is a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School. Avery lives in Washington, DC with her two daughters.