During antitrust review between M&A signing and closing, HSR rules restrict an acquiror from beginning to control the target's business....more
On January 7, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a proposed settlement for crude oil producers XCL Resource Holdings, LLC; Verdun Oil Company; and EP Energy LLC to pay a record-breaking $5.6 million civil...more
On January 7, 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced a record USD5.68m civil penalty to settle alleged pre-merger coordination in violation of the HSR Act. This settlement is the largest dollar penalty that has...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
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) rang in the new year this week by announcing that three crude oil producers had agreed to pay a $5.6 million fine to settle claims that they engaged in unlawful “gun-jumping” by prematurely...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