Cases involving premerger enforcements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act are relatively rare. So far in 2025, however, we have seen two such cases involving potentially record-breaking penalties. The timing is notable, as...more
The initial days of 2025 ushered in a trifecta of significant antitrust updates for dealmakers. First, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced its annual adjustment to the monetary thresholds that apply to...more
M&A practitioners have long regarded the integration planning and execution process as one of the keys to a successful M&A transaction. However, in deals subject to pre-merger antitrust clearance, it is critical to navigate...more
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) sent a firm message—unlawful coordination of merging businesses prior to the closing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements (“HSR”) Act will be aggressively enforced. On...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) secured a record consent penalty of $5.6 million against two merging parties on January 7, 2025 for improper pre-merger coordination, marking the agency’s first gun-jumping action in over a...more
Crude oil producers XCL Resources Holdings, LLC (XCL), Verdun Oil Company II LLC (Verdun), and EP Energy LLC (EP) have agreed to pay a $5.6 million civil penalty to settle violations under Section 7A of the Clayton Act, as...more
On January 7, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with three crude oil producers in which those companies will pay a $5.6 million fine to resolve claims they engaged in unlawful premerger...more
During the fifth annual Antitrust Clearance and Merger Enforcement Conference (ACME), leading antitrust practitioners Franco Castelli, Counsel, Antitrust from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Jeane Thomas, Partner at Crowell &...more
For the first time since China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) came into force in 2008, the government is proposing major changes to its centerpiece antitrust legislation. On January 2, 2020, the State Administration for Market...more
The Development: Antitrust authorities in the United States and European Union have assessed penalties and fines against Canon, and in the United States, Toshiba, for structuring a transaction to avoid premerger notification...more
On January 31, the Board of the Mexican Competition Authority—the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE)—approved REMY Holdings International’s acquisition of BorgWarner’s vehicle aftermarket business. However, the...more
On March 20, 2018, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued updated guidance regarding compliance with antitrust laws for companies considering acquisitions, mergers, or joint ventures. While the FTC recognizes that...more
The Federal Trade Commission, through its blog, last week cautioned against the pre-closing exchange of competitively sensitive information—especially current (and future) prices, strategic plans and costs. While...more
In a move that may not have stood up under the new administration, the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division settled a matter during the last days of the Obama Administration which involved allegations of...more