Wiley Rein LLP


Practices | ANTITRUST

Competition law considerations are often a critical factor in planning and consummating major business transactions.  These issues can arise under the U.S. antitrust laws, under foreign competition laws or as "public interest" issues in regulatory proceedings.  Since its founding in 1983, Wiley Rein has been active on all of these fronts.  We have represented clients involved directly in the transactions as well as clients whose competitive position calls for a rejection or conditioning of a transaction.  Our particularized industry expertise includes:  advertising agencies, airlines, cement, communications satellites, communications services, computer software, financial services, health insurance, industrial minerals, rental cars, sporting goods and steel manufacturing.

Antitrust strictures also play a key role in the ongoing conduct of product distribution, pricing and intra-industry relations.  The firm both litigates and counsels extensively concerning these issues and has a particular expertise in the intersection of antitrust and regulatory oversight.  For example, we represent one of the world's largest regulated-industry trade associations in determining the appropriate boundaries of permissible industry cooperation and, where necessary, pursuing regulatory antitrust immunity. Our attorneys work closely with our communications clients in sorting out the complex interaction of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation and antitrust enforcement, including the recent sale of 13 television stations for $940 million to four separate buyers in coordinated transactions.

The firm's Antitrust attorneys appear in federal and state courts throughout the country.  For example, we recently secured the dismissal of antitrust litigation against the largest steel producer in the United States in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. We also maintain continuing relations with U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff.  Our sensitivity to government concerns has enabled us to craft and broker creative solutions to difficult situations without impairing our clients' business interests.

Representative matters on behalf of our clients include:

  • Mergers and joint ventures, both international and domestic
  • Private treble damage actions
  • Representation before government and state agencies
  • Advising on antitrust matters generally
  • Development of membership rules and member discipline, information exchange and other collaboration among association members
  • Responding to government investigations
  • Filing of amicus briefs
  • Patent and trademark licensing

In addition to having extensive experience and sound knowledge in antitrust law, Wiley Rein attorneys are actively involved in observing legislative matters on Capitol Hill and are on the forefront of issues in this area.  Many of our attorneys serve as members of nonprofit organizations relating to antitrust, including serving in leadership roles such as Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Antitrust Council, and members of both the FTC and DOJ transition planning team for the Reagan administration.  In addition, we have published numerous articles on antitrust matters to keep our clients abreast of developments in this area.

Contact Us
Bert W. Rein
202.719.7080 | brein@wileyrein.com




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