Was It All That Bad? U.S. Federal Antitrust Policy Since 1980
A substantial body of modern academic and popular commentary argues that US federal antitrust policy since the 1970s failed badly by tolerating significant increases in concentration, including the emergence of dominant firms in many commercial sectors. This critique calls for a significant redirection of policy to control mergers more severely, to attack improper exclusion by dominant enterprises, and, perhaps, to deconcentrate certain industries.
This symposium brings together academics and practitioners who have served in leadership positions at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission at various times since 1980. The participants will assess the performance of federal enforcement policy over the past three decades and discuss possible refinements going ahead.
Participants
- Kevin Arquit, Weil
- William Baer, Arnold Porter Kaye Scholer
- William Blumenthal, Sidley
- Debbie Feinstein, Arnold Porter Kaye Scholer (TBC)
- Andrew Gavil, Howard University
- Renata Hesse, Sullivan & Cromwell
- William Kovacic, The George Washington University Law School
- Jonathan Leibowitz, Davis Polk
- Aviv Nevo, University of Pennsylvania
- James Rill, Baker Botts
- Jeffrey Schmidt, Linklaters
- Daniel Sokol, University of Florida
Agenda
1:30 pm to 2 pm: Registration
2 pm: Welcome and Introduction
2:15 to 3:45 pm: Antitrust Goals (and Is Big Bad)?
Moderator - William Kovacic
Discussants
- Kevin Arquit
- Bill Baer
- Aviv Nevo
- Jim Rill
- Jeff Schmidt
3:45 to 4 pm: Coffee Break
4 to 5:30 pm: Do We Need to Change Statutes, Case Law, or Agency Practice for Effective Enforcement in Mergers and Conduct?
Moderator - Daniel Sokol
Discussants
- Bill Blumenthal
- Debbie Feinstein (TBC)
- Andy Gavil
- Renata Hesse
- Jon Leibowitz
5:30 to 6 pm: Closing Remarks and Discussion
- Daniel Sokol