Description
Understand the increased burden and risks associated with mergers and acquisitions that may raise a competitive concern.The Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice have increased their scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions, looking at new theories of harm and seeking ways to address market concentration in every industry. At the same time, and due in part to the backlog of transactions that were deferred due to the COVID19 pandemic, the demands on these agencies to review mergers and acquisitions has never been greater. As a result, the federal antitrust enforcers have looked for ways to keep up with the workload without jeopardizing their stated goal of heightened enforcement. Among other things, the FTC has moved to strengthen and streamline the HSR review process and has moved to rescind a policy statement in effect since 1995 addressing the requirement for prior notice and approval in every settlement agreement. These changes have increased both the burden and risks associated with mergers and acquisitions that may raise a competitive concern.
Date: 2021-10-26 Start Time: End Time:
Learning Objectives
Recent Policy Shifts in Merger Review and Enforcement
• Changes in Leadership at FTC and Antitrust Division of DOJ
• Increased Focus on Protecting Innovation/Market Disrupters, and Predicting Harm
Use and Changes to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Merger Review Process
• Notification Requirements Under Hart-Scott-Rodino
• Changes in Merger Review Under Hart-Scott-Rodino
• Advent of Warning Letters
• FTC’s Efforts to Streamline yet Strengthen the Second Request Process
Historical Overview of Agency Mandated Notice and Approval Requirements in Settlement Agreements
• Basis and Purpose of 1995 Policy Statement Addressing Notice and Approval Requirements
• Recent FTC Decision to Rescind the 1995 Policy Statement
Practical Implications of the Change in Notice and Approval Requirements
• Additional Burdens on Transacting Parties
• Higher Stakes for Parties Seeking to Complete a Transaction That Might Raise Competitive Concerns
CLE (Please check the Detailed Credit Information page for states that have already been approved) ,Additional credit may be available upon request. Contact Lorman at 866-352-9540 for further information.
Stuart M. Gerson-Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., E. John Steren – Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
