Past Events
Why Antitrust? Perspectives on Antitrust Career Paths (March 19, 2024)
CALEA in collaboration with New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Antitrust Law Section hosted an enlightening event that offered a deep dive into the dynamic world of antitrust law.
Our co-host, NYSBA Antitrust Law Section, alongside an esteemed panel of antitrust experts, shared their invaluable insights and personal career paths within this fascinating field. The panel included luminaries such as Susan Zhu from Morgan Lewis, Keira Campbell of American Express, Tal Elmatad from the FTC’s Northeast Regional Office, and David Park representing Bloomberg.
The event emphasized the significance of maintaining a broad perspective and open-mindedness, embracing continuous learning, and exploring the diverse opportunities available within antitrust law.
A special shoutout to our panelists and the NYSBA Antitrust Law Section for making this event a success. Though Benjamin Sirota could not join us, his willingness to engage with attendees outside of the event underscores the supportive nature of the antitrust community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, making "Why Antitrust?" a memorable and valuable experience. Let’s continue to foster these discussions and connections, shaping the future of antitrust law together!
2023 Merger Guidelines (February 27, 2024)
We at CALEA had the privilege of hosting an extraordinary event featuring two distinguished experts in the field of antitrust law: Deputy Bureau Chief Amy McFarlane and Assistant Attorney General Beatriz Marques from the Office of the New York State Attorney General's Antitrust Bureau.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Amy and Beatriz for leading a compelling discussion on the newly released 2023 Merger Guidelines. Their expertise provided invaluable perspectives on the evolving landscape of merger enforcement, particularly in relation to dynamic competition and recent high-profile cases such as Meta/Within, Illumina/Grail, and USAP/anesthesiology practices.
Thank you to everyone who came and added to the vibrant conversation at our event. If you couldn't join us this time, keep an eye out for upcoming CALEA events in partnership with the New York State Bar Association on March 19 and others on the horizon.
The Google Trial & The Antitrust Movement (November 30, 2023)
We were fortunate to participate in an enlightening lunch seminar, co-hosted with Columbia Law and Political Economy Society (LPE), featuring Professor Tim Wu, where the professor immersed us in the captivating world of antitrust and the high-stakes legal battle of US v. Google concerning the default search engine.
Professor Wu skillfully translated intricate legal nuances into a compelling narrative, offering a panoramic view of the current antitrust movement and its potential ramifications for the tech industry. He adeptly navigated through the key arguments presented by both parties involved in the case, taking the discussion beyond the courtroom to explore possible remedies and the anticipated ripple effect on the broader tech landscape.
A notable highlight was Professor Wu's insightful exploration of future career opportunities within the realm of antitrust law. He shed light on potential paths in organizations such as the DOJ Antitrust Division, FTC, CFPB, NY OAG, and the White House Competition Council, particularly emphasizing opportunities for Columbia Law School students.
We extend special thanks to Professor Tim Wu for his engaging and informative discourse, effectively making complex legal matters accessible to a diverse audience. Attendees departed with a heightened awareness of the dynamic shifts in the legal landscape and a reinforced understanding of the importance of staying informed in an ever-evolving digital terrain.
A Conversation with Eleanor Fox: US, EU, South Africa Competition Law and Policy, Unique Perspectives and Prospects for Global Norms (November 13, 2023)
It was truly an honor to host Professor Eleanor M. Fox for a thought-provoking session on competition law and policy in the US, EU, and South Africa at our association and Columbia Law School. Professor Fox's wealth of knowledge and expertise brought intellectual richness to our discourse as she expounded on the genesis and evolution of antitrust law from three distinctive standpoints: efficiency and consumer welfare for the US, open markets and integration for the EU, and equality and equity for South Africa.
Professor Fox's insights not only bestowed fundamental comprehension upon seasoned antitrust enthusiasts but also afforded a comprehensive introduction for newcomers navigating this dynamic discipline. We express our sincere gratitude to Professor Fox for her invaluable contribution to our community.
Moreover, we are pleased to announce the sustained collaboration with NYU Antitrust and Competition Law Society and New York University School of Law, cultivating connections with their esteemed faculties, alumni, and students. Anticipate more engaging events as we collectively explore the intricacies of antitrust law and economics!
Recent Trends on Global Merger Control with Linklaters LLP (April 23, 2019)
On April 23, 2019, CALEA hosted a lunch discussion with Linklaters attorneys, Thomas McGrath (partner) and John Eichlin (Senior Associate). Their presentation discussed recent trends of global merger control in the context of antitrust law and economics.
Intro to Antitrust Deals with Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP (March 7, 2019)
On March 7, 2019, CALEA co-hosted an antitrust practice workshop with attorneys from Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, a premier litigation boutique law firm specializing in antitrust, IP, and high stakes litigation. The panelists were James Goldfeier (CLS '12) and Kail Jethmalani. Their discussion included a walkthrough of a merger and the role of an antirust lawyer in getting the deal through merger clearance in the United States and around the world. They also shared their experiences and insights on career paths, the recruiting process, and associate life as an antitrust lawyer.
The Modern Antitrust Movement: A Lunch Discussion with Lina Khan (January 28, 2019)
On January 28, 2019, CALEA co-hosted a lunch discussion with Lina Khan on the modern antitrust movement. Lina Khan previously served as a Legal Fellow for Commission Rohit Chopra at the Federal Trade Commission and Director of Legal Policy for the Open Markets Institute. Her research and writing on antitrust law and competition policy, and specifically how it should be modified to address new technologies and business models, has been published (or is forthcoming) by the Columbia Law Review, Harvard Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal. She is currently an Academic Fellow at Columbia Law School.
The Curse of Bigness: Antitrust in The New Gilded Age (November 13, 2018)
On November 13, 2018, CALEA co-hosted a book launch event of Professor Tim Wu's new book, The Curse of Bigness: Antitrust in The New Gilded Age. In his new book, Professor Wu tells of how figures like Brandeis and Theodore Roosevelt first confronted the democratic threats posed by the great trusts of the Gilded Age--but the lessons of the Progressive Era were forgotten in the last 40 years. He also calls for recovering the lost tenets of the trustbusting age as part of a broader revival of American progressive ideas as we confront the fallout of persistent and extreme economic inequality. The event covered a short talk by Professor Wu and was followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.
The Role of Empirical Analysis in Antitrust Litigation (November 1, 2018)
On November 1, 2018, CALEA hosted a discussion led by Dr. Randy Chugh on the use of economic analysis in modern antitrust litigation. He provided valuable insights into the role economists play in developing evidence in antitrust investigations and trials. Dr. Chugh is the senior economist at Bates White LLC, a DC-based economic consulting firm. Dr. Chugh previously worked as an economist at the Department of Justice.
Antitrust in Brazil (October 18, 2018)
On October 18, 2018, CALEA, Caminati Bueno Advogados, Pinheiro Neto Advogados, and Vinicius Marques de Carvalho Advogados hosted a lunch panel with Brazilian antitrust practitioners. The panelists were Eduardo Frade, partner of Vinicius Marques de Carvalho and former General-Superintendent of the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense, Luis Nagalli, partner of Caminati Bueno Advogados, and Daniel Rebello (LLM, ’10), senior associate of Pinheiro Neto Advogados and former Head of Antitrust Analysis at the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense. Their discussion covered issues and cases related to abuse of dominance, cartel investigations, and merger control in Brazil.
Antitrust M&A and Litigation: Recent Developments and Cases (March 6, 2018)
On March 6, 2018, CALEA hosted three antitrust attorneys from Debevoise & Plimpton’s NYC office: Erica Weisgerber, Tristan Ellis, and Youngbin Son. Their discussion covered a range of topics ranging from the recent mergers and acquisitions in the telecommunications industry, specifically the AT&T/Time Warner merger and the acquisition of Scripps Networks by Discovery Communications, the TIBOR (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate) conspiracy litigation, and the recent legislative efforts at class action reform and the potential effect on antitrust litigation and enforcement.
Careers in Antitrust: Public and Private Perspectives (February 26, 2018)
On February 26, 2018, CALEA hosted David Gringer, partner at WilmerHale, and Pete Schwingler, trial attorney at the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, for a lunch discussion on beginning a career in antitrust law. David, who began his career in public service before moving to a law firm, and Pete, who worked at a law firm before joining the Department of Justice, discussed their respective career paths and offered advice to students interested in beginning their careers practicing antitrust law.
Antitrust on the International Stage with Linklaters LLP (February 22, 2018)
On February 22, 2018, CALEA and Linklaters LLP hosted a panel of practitioners of international antitrust law that included Douglas Tween, partner from Linklaters LLP, Antonio Sherman, counsel from Linklaters LLP, Mark Friedman, former Deputy General Counsel of Phillip Morris International, and John Eichlin, associate from Linklaters LLP. John Eichlin led the discussion on international antitrust investigations, criminal cartel cases, and global mergers.
Issues in Antitrust and Technology with Ethan Litwin of Dechert LLP: Pricing Algorithms and Tacit Collusion (February 12, 2018)
On February 12, 2018, CALEA hosted Ethan Litwin, partner from Dechert LLP’s antitrust practice, for a discussion on pricing algorithms and tacit collusion. Mr. Litwin introduced and explained the issues and challenges that pricing algorithms pose for traditional legal frameworks of antitrust analysis. He also shared his insights and experiences from his own practice and answered questions from the attendees.
LUNCH LECTURE: Introduction to Antitrust Law and Economics: Vertical Restraints and Two-sided Markets (November 3, 2017)
On November 3, 2017, CALEA hosted a lunch lecture by Professor Victor Goldberg, the Jerome L. Greene Professor of Transactional Law. The primary discussion of the lecture was about vertical restraints and two-sided markets in the context of antitrust and economics business models relevant today.
Jurisdictional Issues in Antitrust: Intel & Beyond (October 30, 2017)
On October 30, 2017, CALEA and the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) hosted a lunch panel discussion on jurisdictional issues in antitrust. Advocate General Nils Wahl led the discussion with a focus on the potential consequences of the Intel judgment.
ANTITRUST PRACTICE WORKSHOP: THE BIG DEAL (March 3, 2017)
On March 3, 2017, CALEA hosted Daniel Bitton, James Goldfeier, and Cagla Boylu of Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, as they walked through the life of a merger and the role of an antitrust lawyer in getting the deal through merger clearance in the United States and around the world. They shared their experiences and insights on career paths, the recruiting process, and associate life.
Antitrust Law in Practice with White & Case (February 23, 2017)
On February 23, CALEA hosted White & Case partners, Mark Gidley and Jack Pace, as they spoke ab0ut some of the highest profile ongoing antitrust litigation. The presenters shared their experiences and insights from their practice and answered questions from the attendees.
Antitrust Law and Protectionism: Does the EU Use Merger Regulation to Shield EU Companies from Competition? (February 7, 2017)
On February 7, 2017, CALEA proudly hosted Professor Anu Bradford, the Henry L. Moses Professor of Law and International Organization. Professor Bradford presented her recent research on whether the European Union shields EU companies from competition through its antitrust enforcement.
WHITE & CASE ANTITRUST—WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK ON A COMPLEX CLASS ACTION, INTERNATIONAL CARTEL INVESTIGATION, AND OTHER CUTTING-EDGE ANTITRUST CASES (March 22, 2016)
White & Case and the Columbia Antitrust Law and Economics Association invited the law school student body to join lawyers from White & Case for a panel discussion on real-world practice examples from lawyers working on some of the most important complex litigation matters today. Panelists included White & Case partners Mark Gidley, Alison Hanstead, and Jack Pace, as well as associate Lexie Calistri.
CALEA-CBLA FUNDAMENTALS SEQUENCE: ANTITRUST LAW (November 16, 2015)
CBLA (www.clscbla.com) and CALEA co-hosted the Antitrust Panel, part of the Fundamentals of Corporate Law Series. The Fundamentals Series is designed to introduce law students to career options in various practice areas in corporate law, including Capital Markets, M&A, Bankruptcy, Investment Management, IP, and Commercial Litigation.
Attorneys from the following firms attended:
- Steven L. Holley — Sullivan & Cromwell
- Julie A. North — Cravath, Swaine & Moore
- James A. Keyte — Skadden
- Peter Guryan — Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
- Joel M. Cohen — Davis Polk
The antitrust panelists have a range of experiences and provided diverse perspectives on their career paths, what sort of antitrust-related challenges and risks an attorney must assess in transactions and litigation, and discussed the current trends in antitrust law. They also provided advice for students interested in pursuing careers in this field of law.
Moderator: Tim Wu, Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher Professor of Law
EMERGING TOPICS: ANTITRUST LAW (November 5, 2015)
Professor Cavanagh, a member of the Order of the Coif and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, spoke on the emerging topics and developments in the practice of Antitrust Law. Professor Cavanagh is currently a member of the Council of the ABA Antitrust Section. He has served as co-chair of the ABA Antitrust Section Public Service Committee and co-chair of its Committee on Ethics and Professionalism. Professor Cavanagh also shared his experience as a leading lawyer in this area. The talk will covered important aspects of the current regime of Antitrust law and practice area and will be valuable for any aspiring M&A and Antitrust lawyer.