This article is part of a monthly column that considers the significance of recent Federal Trade Commission announcements about antitrust issues. In this installment, we discuss notable takeaways from the agency's recent...more
During antitrust review between M&A signing and closing, HSR rules restrict an acquiror from beginning to control the target's business....more
In the days leading up to President Trump’s inauguration, the Biden FTC rushed to initiate major lawsuits and to tie a bow on various antitrust policy efforts. In a series of dissenting statements, the minority Republican...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
Three crude oil producers have agreed to pay civil penalties totaling $5.7 million to settle allegations that they engaged in “gun jumping,” namely, allowing the acquirer to exercise control over the target’s business conduct...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) announced, on January 7, 2025, that crude oil producers agreed to pay a record $5.6 million fine as settlement for violating the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (HSR Act) through illegal pre-merger...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 that crude oil producers XCL Resources Holdings, LLC (XCL), Verdun Oil Company II LLC (Verdun) and EP Energy LLC (EP) collectively will pay a $5.68 million...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
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a record $5.6 million civil penalty to settle allegations that three crude oil producers engaged in “gun-jumping” activities that violated the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act....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
On August 5, the Department of Justice (DOJ) secured a landmark decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in a high-profile monopolization litigation....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
On August 5, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that it filed a civil complaint and proposed settlement with Legends Hospitality Parent Holdings LLC (“Legends”) for unlawful pre-merger coordination, commonly...more
2024 is shaping up to be a year of significant change in Brussels. European Parliamentary elections in June will be followed by the appointment of a new Commission in the autumn....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
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
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
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
On November 7, 2014, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) reached a $5 million settlement with Flakeboard America Limited (“Flakeboard”), its foreign parents, and SierraPine to settle allegations...more
On November 7, 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint and consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California requiring Flakeboard America Limited, Flakeboard’s parent...more
DOJ fines particleboard manufacturers $4.95 million for gun-jumping violations - On Friday, November 7, 2014, two companies agreed to pay $4.95 million to settle U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) allegations that the...more