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
One of the most common questions clients have after a merger or acquisition has been signed is, “When can we start on combining the operations and doing business?” And one of the most challenging pieces of counseling is to...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
On January 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit against three Texas-based crude oil companies—XCL Resources Holdings, LLC (XCL), Verdun Oil Company II, LLC (Verdun), and EP Energy LLC (EP)—alleging...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
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
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has imposed a record-breaking $5.6 million fine on XCL Resource Holdings, LLC (XCL), Verdun Oil Company II LLC (Verdun), and EP Energy LLC (EP) to settle allegations that they engaged in...more
Oil companies ordered to pay $5.6 million for exerting beneficial control before the expiration of the mandatory HSR waiting period. On January 7, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed and resolved a merger...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division (DOJ) announced a record-setting $5.6 million gun-jumping fine related to Verdun Oil Company II LLC’s acquisition of EP Energy LLC. Although...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
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint and proposed consent decree alleging that Legends Hospitality Parent Holdings prematurely acquired beneficial ownership – often referred to as “gun jumping” – in connection...more
On August 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a proposed settlement with Legends Hospitality Parent Holdings (“Legends”), a global venue services company, in connection with its proposed acquisition of ASM...more
This week, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reached one of its largest “gun jumping” settlements following allegations that sporting and entertainment events company, Legends Hospitality,...more
Participants in the renewable energy industry should be aware of antitrust and competition rules because renewable energy is no longer a nascent field. Europe generated almost 40% of its electricity from renewable sources in...more
The American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section recently held its annual Spring Meeting in Washington, DC, featuring updates from federal, state, and international antitrust enforcers and in-depth commentary on leading...more
UNIQUE GUN-JUMPING CASE SANCTIONED BY FRENCH COMPETITION AUTHORITY - A new European gun-jumping decision, following the European Court of Justice 2022 Marine Harvest judgment, sends a very strong message to companies that...more
U.S. FTC merger enforcement gathers pace n- This month we have seen a flurry of activity on the merger control front from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Grabbing the headlines is the announcement that the FTC...more
U.S. antitrust enforcers continue to seek stiff penalties from companies that commit “gun jumping” by closing certain securities transactions without reporting them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and United States...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
The Situation: The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") recently published a blog post reminding merging parties to avoid creating antitrust liability through the exchange of competitively sensitive information during merger...more
Skadden’s Antitrust and Competition Group and the economics firm Charles River Associates recently hosted the eighth annual “Antitrust in the Technology Sector: Policy Perspectives and Insights From the Enforcers” seminar in...more
EU and US laws prohibit merging companies from implementing reportable transactions until their deal is cleared or the statutory waiting period has expired. Violations of this principle are colloquially known as “gun-jumping”...more
From the moment a merger agreement is signed, the parties are often eager to begin the process of integrating and consolidating their operations. But doing too much coordination before closing could constitute “gun...more
FTC takes another look at merger remedies - On 3 February 2017, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) released its Merger Remedies Study, which analyzed the success of merger remedies imposed by the FTC from 2006 to...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced several antitrust enforcement actions in advance of the inauguration of President Trump, including settlements for...more