Our Curious Amalgam
American Bar Association 402 episodes Nov 9, 2026
Our Curious Amalgam explores topics in antitrust, competition, consumer protection, data protection, and privacy law around the world. The podcast features leading experts in these fields and asks them in-depth questions. It is called an amalgam because it brings diverse topics together in one place. The show is produced by the American Bar Association.
Episodes
#403 Do Antitrust Laws Stand in the Way of AI Safety? A Discussion With Dave Lawrence
The leading LLM developers have publicly called for coordination to set limits on the rate of progress. Do antitrust laws stand in the way? Dave Lawrence, formerly at the U.S. Department of Justice and now an academic, joins Alysha Pannu and Matthew Hall to discuss the application of U.S., Canadian and EU antitrust and competition law. Listen to this episode to learn more about the scope
#402 Antitrust in Times of Change? A Conversation With Gail Slater
Antitrust enforcement policy, like many aspects of our society, has been undergoing important changes over the past decade. What are the big picture trends driving these changes, and how are they reflected in the way the federal agencies enforce the antitrust laws? Former head of DOJ Antitrust Division Gail Slater (now with White & Case*) joins Lexi Michaud and Sergei Zaslavsky to dis
#401 A Series of Unfortunate Events? Verisk Analytics v. AccuLynx and Lessons Learned
Verisk’s $2.35 billion acquisition of AccuLynx unexpectedly drew FTC scrutiny when Verisk, after announcing its acquisition of AccuLynx, stopped pursuing an enhanced pricing integration with AccuLynx’s competitor ServiceTitan, prompting the FTC to explore a novel “market reset” theory. The Delaware Court of Chancery later held that Verisk could not terminate the deal because its own “will
#400 Is California Dreamin’ of Merger Challenges? Diving Into the Golden State’s HSR Notification Regime
State-level pre-merger notification requirements are becoming more popular. But what is happening in California? Heather Greenfield, partner at White & Case, joins Jaclyn Phillips and Puja Patel to discuss how California's law fits into an overall notification strategy. Listen to this episode to learn more about what to expect and how to prepare when the law becomes effective on Janua
#399 Who Has the Inside Track on Litigation Risk? An In-House View From the Markets
What does competition and litigation risk look like from inside a company operating at the intersection of financial markets, data, technology, and regulation? Kay Lynn Brumbaugh, Head of Litigation, Group Legal at London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG), joins Anora Wang and Matthew Hall to share an in-house perspective on managing disputes in a highly regulated global business. Listen to
#398 What's 340B? An Economist's View of the Recent Wave of 340B Litigation
The Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program has grown from a modest drug discount program into a massive federal program involving pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospitals, pharmacies, insurers, and third-party administrators. But when can similar conduct by participants in this program suggest coordination or raise other competition concerns? Archan Ruparel, economist at Charles River Associate
#397 What’s Next for the ABA Antitrust Law Section? Stability, Balance, and Value
What’s ahead for the ABA Antitrust Law Section in 2026–2027? Section Chair Melanie Aitken and Counsel to the Chair Christina Skinner join Our Curious Amalgam to discuss Melanie’s vision for the Section and her priorities for the coming year. Listen to this episode to learn how under Melanie’s leadership, the Section plans to double down on its value to members, strengthen its leadership a
#396 Is EU Law on Abuse of Dominance Now Clear? The ECJ’s Judgment in Google Android
The European Court of Justice's judgment in Google Android is one of the most consequential EU competition law judgments of the last decade. But why is it so important? Thomas Höppner, lawyer at Geradin Partners, joins Matthew Hall and Subrata Bhattacharjee to discuss the key issues raised and their relevance to abuse of dominance cases generally. Listen to this episode to learn more abou
#395 Which Side of the V? Larry Buterman on Trying Antitrust Cases for the Government and Against It
Larry Buterman is one of the rare antitrust attorneys who has successfully first chaired landmark cases both at the DOJ Antitrust Division and in private practice. In this career profile, co-hosts Derek Jackson and Lexi Michaud ask Larry about the differences and similarities in representing the DOJ versus representing a private party, about Larry's trial war stories (including his cross-
#394 A Tribute to Randy Picker: Revisiting Episode #74 on the Implications of DOJ's Case Against IBM
We are re-releasing this episode in tribute to Prof. Randy Picker, who passed away on August 15, 2026. In 2020, Randy joined co-hosts Anora Wang and John Roberti for an episode on the 13-year-long U.S. antitrust case against IBM brought in 1969, exploring how U.S. antitrust dealing with tech ranges from early government cases involving punch cards to government probes into today's platfor
#393 Who Gets To Say the Price Is Right? State Regulation of AI Pricing
Several U.S. states have recently passed legislation aimed at AI pricing tools that use consumer or competitor data. What is driving this spate of legislation, what different approaches are the states taking, and are the states sufficiently accounting for possible unintended consequences? In this episode, hosts Sergei Zaslavsky and Alicia Downey talk to Orrick partner Shannon Yavorksy abo
#392 Do I Really Need To File? HSR Avoidance and the Edwards/Genesis Settlement
For nearly 50 years, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act has given antitrust enforcers a chance to review deals above a certain value before they can close. What happens when the government concludes a transaction was structured intentionally to slip past that review entirely? On this episode of Our Curious Amalgam, we speak with Evan Miller of Vinson & Elkins about HSR Act avoidance and the FT
#391 Have States Found the Answer to Subscription Traps? Click-to-Cancel and Beyond
State legislatures across the country are taking aim at subscription traps and deceptive cancellation practices — but what does effective consumer protection actually look like at the state level? Erin Witte, Senior Counsel to the New Jersey Attorney General and former Director of Consumer Protection at the Consumer Federation of America, speaks with Anna Olson and Anora Wang about the gr
#390 Circuits, Cargos, and Cures: How Does Singapore Run Competition and Consumer Protection?
Singapore’s Competition and Consumer Commission — CCS — has been enforcing competition law for roughly two decades and more recently consumer protection laws as well. How does a small, open, trade-dependent city-state design and enforce a competition regime that punches above its weight — and what does that mean for global practitioners? Mr. Loke Shiu Meng, Assistant Chief Executive of th
#389 What Should Directors Be Asking? Antitrust in the Boardroom
Competition law isn't just for antitrust lawyers anymore—it's increasingly a boardroom issue. What questions should directors be asking to ensure their companies are identifying and managing competition risk before it becomes a crisis? Julie Goshorn, whose career spans the DOJ, FTC, private practice at Arnold & Porter, and global in-house leadership at Visa, speaks with Jeny Maier and
#388 Who's Minding the Money? The Role of Competition Authorities in Digital Finance
Digital financial services are transforming the way we bank, borrow, save, invest, and make payments. But are these innovations creating more competitive markets, or are they simply fostering new forms of market power? On this episode of Our Curious Amalgam, we speak with Beatriz Marques of the OECD Competition Division about the evolving competitive landscape in digital finance. We explo
#387 Can Potential Vertical Integration Harm Be (Silver) Screened Horizontally?
Vertical merger review has long rested on the principle that competitive harm is most likely when a merged firm has both the ability and incentive to foreclose rivals, yet courts and enforcers often struggle to establish that harm empirically. But can potentially anticompetitive vertical integrations be screened in advance using observable market characteristics? Charles Hodgson, Assistan
#386 How Is AI Changing the Practice of Antitrust Law? A Discussion With Daniel Schwarz of CompetitionAI
AI is transforming all areas of legal practice. But what are the special issues in antitrust? Daniel Schwarz, CEO and Founder of CompetitionAI and a former antitrust attorney at Clifford Chance and the IMF, joins Matthew Hall and Alysha Pannu to discuss the use of AI in antitrust now and in the future and its impact on lawyers and competition authorities. Listen to this episode to learn m
#385 How Do We Level the AI Fluency Playing Field? The 21 Days of AI Grit and Growth Mindset Challenge
Are you as AI fluent as you should be? The American Bar Association's "21 Days of AI: A Grit and Growth Mindset Challenge" is a free online resource that offers a path toward becoming adept in the use of AI to enhance legal practice and professional development. In this episode, hosts Alicia Downey and James Hunsberger speak with legal innovation strategist and "21 Days of AI" co-author G
#384 What’s Up? Enforcement Updates From the Middle East and Africa
What have been the latest competition law developments across the Middle East and Africa in the last year? Nicolas Bremer and John Oxenham join Matthew Hall and Jeny Maier to discuss new filing regimes, agency priorities and hot topics for competition law compliance in jurisdictions across the Middle East, COMESA, and South Africa. Listen to this episode to get up to speed on what to know
#383 What’s the Role of Communications Strategy in M&A? How Public Affairs Impacts Antitrust
Recently, the role of lobbying in M&A has become the talk of the antitrust bar in current administrations in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions. But what about the related discipline of public affairs? Nat Wood, Managing Director of Rational 360, a strategic communications, public affairs, and crisis management firm, joins Jeny Maier and Puja Patel to discuss what's involved in craft
#382 What’s Up? Enforcement Updates From Austria and Switzerland
What is happening in competition enforcement in Austria and Switzerland? Lukas Cavada, Executive Director for International Affairs at Austria’s Federal Competition Authority (BWB), joins Anora Wang to discuss the BWB’s most significant accomplishments over the past year, key competition enforcement developments in Austria, and the evolving challenges facing competition authorities in an
#381 A New Era for EU and UK Deals? The EC’s Draft Merger Guidelines and the CMA’s Growth Approach
The analysis of mergers in the EU and UK is adapting to take account of a changed worldwide geo-political and trade context. But what does this mean in practice? Stuart Hudson, co-lead of Brunswick’s global regulatory practice, joins Matthew Hall and James Hunsberger to discuss the European Commission's draft new EU Merger Guidelines and changes in the UK. Listen to this episode to learn
#380 What Is Happening at the OECD Competition Division? A Discussion With Ori Schwartz
The OECD's Competition Division carries out the organisation's work on worldwide competition law, policy and enforcement. But what does this mean in practice? Ori Schwartz, Head of the Competition Division, joins Matthew Hall to discuss the Division's activities. Listen to this episode to learn more about the Division's recent and upcoming focus areas.With special guest:Ori Schwartz, Head
#379 What's Up? Enforcement Updates from Ireland, Brazil, and Paraguay
What are the latest trends and developments in competition law enforcement in Ireland, Brazil, and Paraguay? Geoffrey Gray of the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), joins Lexi Michaud to discuss his agency's efforts to refine merger analysis and enhance competition in Ireland's taxi and ride-sharing sector. Brazilian CADE President Gustavo Augusto speaks with Mat
#378 How Do Enforcers Approach Information Sharing and Benchmarking?
Benchmarking and information sharing can be procompetitive, but modern data tools can also make it easier for rivals to coordinate on prices. But when does benchmarking cross the line into unlawful antitrust conduct? Norman Lee Morris, Attorney for Mississippi Attorney General, joins Panos Dimitrellos and Alysha Pannu to discuss the evolution of antitrust enforcement, the economic risks p
#377 What’s Up? Enforcement Updates From Australia and New Zealand
What is happening in competition enforcement in Australia and New Zealand? Luke Woodward, Commissioner at the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), joins Lexi Michaud to discuss the ACCC's distinctive joint competition and consumer protection mandate, the ACCC's role in deregulation as a way to unlock innovation, growth, and productivity, and where the ACCC is focused t
#376 Where Is Europe's Path Forward in AI? Mistral AI's Case for Rethinking Competition Policy
Can competition laws keep pace with the AI race? Blanche Savary de Beauregard, General Counsel at Mistral AI, joins co-hosts Anora Wang and Clémence Coppin, in collaboration with the New York State Bar Association, to discuss how a European AI company competes against U.S. and Chinese makers of AI foundation models, the strategic logic behind Mistral’s major industry partnerships, and why
#375 What's Up? Competition Enforcement Updates From Italy and Portugal
What has competition enforcement looked like in Italy and Portugal over the past year? Saverio Valentino, Board Member of the Italian Antitrust Authority, joins Jaclyn Phillips to discuss AGCM's 2025 enforcement record, an ongoing digital sector investigation into Meta, and a whistleblower platform that has generated over 600 complaints since 2023. Next, Nuno Cunha Rodrigues, President of
#374 What if Robots Are Setting My Pay to Employees? Economic Tools To Avoid Compliance Pitfalls
Algorithmic and AI-driven tools are increasingly shaping how employers set employee compensation. But how can employers avoid compliance pitfalls when use of these tools raises competition and other regulatory concerns? Economist Rose Healy joins Anora Wang and Subrata Bhattacharjee to discuss the legal and economic risks, as well as practical tools such as bias audits and event studies.
#373 What’s Up? Competition Enforcement Updates From Malaysia and Hong Kong
What is happening in competition enforcement in Malaysia and Hong Kong? Iskandar Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia Competition Commission (MYCC), joins Anora Wang to discuss MYCC’s actions against bid-rigging, ongoing market reviews of the digital economy, and Malaysia’s broader plan to consolidate competition oversight over regulated sectors like energy, with phase one targ
#372 Can a Price Be Put on Harm? FTC Monetary Remedies and the Data-Driven Economy
Five years after the Supreme Court’s AMG Capital Management decision limited the FTC’s ability to seek monetary remedies under Section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, the agency continues to look for ways to obtain money in consumer protection and privacy cases through other authorities and theories. At the same time, it is grappling with how to define and measure consumer inju
#371 Who Does Your Doctor Work For? Vertical Integration in the Healthcare Provider Market
Hospitals, as well as insurers, have been increasingly purchasing physicians practices, home health providers, and nursing facilities. But what are the competitive implications of these acquisitions? Dr. Zack Cooper, economist and public health expert at Yale University, joins Derek Jackson and Anora Wang to discuss both the theoretical and empirical competitive harms and benefits to vert
#370 Is Any Deal Safe From Review in the EU? Implications of the “Towercast” Judgment
M&A deals impacting the EU that are not caught by standard merger control thresholds can still be reviewed under general competition law rules. But how does this work? Frédéric Manin, lawyer at Advant Altana in Paris, joins Matthew Hall and James Hunsberger to discuss the implications of the 2023 European Court of Justice judgment in the "Towercast" case. Listen to this episode to lea
#369 Back To Form or Back to the Drawing Board? How To Navigate the Decision Vacating the New HSR Rules
In February 2025, new rules for the pre-merger notification requirements in the U.S. came into effect. But will a February 2026 court decision undo these changes? Daniel Rosenthal, partner at Kirkland & Ellis, joins Jaclyn Phillips and Lexi Michaud to discuss a decision vacating the new rules, the subsequent appeal, and what might happen next. Listen to this episode to learn more abou
#368 Mother, May I? The Use of Prior Approval Requirements in Merger Settlements
Over the last few decades, prior approval requirements were considered an extraordinary remedy in merger settlements, yet their use has fluctuated in agency enforcement across recent administrations. Where do the FTC and DOJ stand in their current practice? Bilal Sayyed, a Counsel at the Cadwalader law firm, and antitrust professor and former FTC policy leader, speaks with Anora Wang and
#367 How Do States Make Independent Judgment in Merger Review? The Tunney Act and HPE–Juniper
States have become increasingly active participants in merger enforcement, often conducting independent analyses and, at times, intervening alongside federal agencies in high-profile cases. What goes into states’ analyses and decisions to intervene? Anthony Mariano, Chief of the Antitrust Division at the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, speaks with Lexi Michaud and Anora Wang
#366 What’s the State of Mini-HSR Regimes? Perspectives from the Colorado & Washington State AGs
State attorneys general are taking a more active role in merger control, with Colorado and Washington leading the way on new “mini-HSR” notification regimes.What do these new state pre-merger filing laws require, and how should companies and practitioners navigate them alongside the federal Hart-Scott-Rodino Act?Assistant Attorneys General Paula Pera Czollak and Bryn Williams join hosts P
#365 What Roles Do Economists Play in Chinese Competition Law? Conversation With Dr. Vanessa Zhang
China’s antitrust regime has evolved rapidly over the past decade. What role does economic analysis play in the actual enforcement? Anora Wang and Kathleen Hu speak with Dr. Vanessa Zhang of Compass Lexecon about the growing role of economic analysis in Chinese competition law, drawing on her experience advising China’s antitrust authority and serving as a testifying expert in high-stakes
#364 Does Visual Generative AI Make Better Ads? Exploring AI Advertising Effectiveness
Businesses are increasingly considering the use of generative AI for work that historically relied on human creativity, including in the area of marketing and advertising. But can ads made with gen AI really be more effective than human-created ads? Professor Vilma Todri of Emory University Goizueta Business School joins Kathleen Hu and Jaclyn Phillips to discuss her recent research on th
#363 The Antitrust Controversy Surrounding Brazil’s Soy Moratorium
In 2006, various parties came together to form Brazil’s Amazon Soy Moratorium in an effort to curb illegal deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. Today, challenges regarding Brazil’s Soy Moratorium continue to mount, with passionate advocacy from farmers, environmentalists, government agencies, and international organizations. What might seem a cut-and-dry conflict between free enterpris
#362 What’s Happening With AI and Data Privacy? An Update From the PRIS Committee
The past few years have been a critical time in the development of data privacy laws and the regulation of AI in the United States. As we look toward 2026, the complexities are only increasing. In this episode, the Antitrust Law Section's Privacy and Information Security (PRIS) Committee joins forces with OCA to focus on the highlights of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Hosts Alicia Downey
#361 All Change or More of the Same? UK Merger Control Developments
The UK merger control regime is undergoing procedural and substantive changes. What is happening and what should practicioners know? John Schmidt, solicitor at Arnold & Porter in London, joins Matthew Hall and Jaclyn Phillips to discuss the changes introduced by the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) and the UK government. Listen to this episode to learn more about new CMA j
#360 How To Unshackle the Golden Chain? Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Markets
Blockchain and cryptocurrency promised to decentralize modern financial markets to take market power away from centralized financial intermediaries. But have they lived up to this promise? Hanna Halaburda, Associate Professor of Technology, Operations, and Statistics at NYU, joins Panos Dimitrellos and Christina Ma, to break down the layers of blockchain and the competitive forces and dyn
#359 What is Happening With Class Claims in the UK? The Competition Law Opt-Out Collective Actions Regime
Billions have been claimed under the UK competition law opt-out collective actions regime since its introduction in 2015. What issues are faced by class members, class representatives and defendants? Jeremy Robinson, solicitor at Harcus Parker in London, joins Matthew Hall to discuss the regime. Listen to this episode to learn more about how it is structured, funding issues, the first dam
#358 The Future of Enforcement and Compliance? How Computational Antitrust is Used
Computational methods are increasingly used by competition law regulators worldwide. But what are these and can companies also take advantage? Todd Davies, PhD candidate in competition law at University College London, joins Matthew Hall and Anora Wang to discuss the issues raised by the use of computational antitrust. Listen to this episode to learn more about the pros and cons of adopti
#357 Is Strong Competition in GenAI a Hallucination? Discussing Economic Insights in the Industry
GenAI is one of the fastest-growing consumer tools in history. But what have we learned about competitive dynamics in the industry? Economists Andrea Asoni and Matteo Foschi join Jaclyn Phillips and Lexi Michaud to discuss what early economic insights can help us understand about the risks and benefits posed by the growth of AI. Listen to this episode to learn more about how the developme
#356 Can Pay Transparency Create Antitrust Risks--or Compliance Opportunities?
As pay transparency laws rapidly expand across U.S. jurisdictions, companies are facing complex intersections between labor law, antitrust compliance, and pay-equity analytics. Where are the high risk areas? Ye Zhang, a labor economist and director at Resolution Economics, joins Anora Wang and Alicia Downey to unpack how state law disclosure mandates interact with competitive dynamics in
#355 What’s the Score, Your Honor? Conversation With Judge Richard Boulware
Every trial tells a story — but what happens when the storyteller becomes the judge? The honorable Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II speaks with Anora Wang and Jeny Maier on his remarkable journey from public defender to federal judge, lessons on persuasion, fairness, and the fine art of trial craft, and what it really means to keep score in the pursuit of justice. Along the way, we’ll t
#354 What Do the Updated HSR Rules Really Mean for Your Next Deal? A Conversation With Zak Goodwin
The HSR rules got a major update in February 2025, shaking up the landscape for dealmakers. How have those updated rules played out in practice? In this episode, Zachary Goodwin of Ropes & Gray discusses with Amanda Hamilton and Puja Patel the challenges and lessons learned thus far from navigating the updated rules.With special guest:Zak Goodwin, Partner, Ropes & GrayHosted by:Am
#353 What’s Happening in Ukraine? A Conversation With Timur Bondaryev
Ukraine's antitrust/competition law regime remains in place despite Russia's invasion. How are the rules enforced and what changes can we expect? Timur Bondaryev, a leading Ukrainian lawyer, joins Matthew Hall and Anora Wang to discuss merger control and antitrust/competition law enforcement and practice in Ukraine as well as the proposed introduction of foreign direct investment (FDI) co
#352 Is There a New Playbook for Merger Remedies? Evaluating the Current Stance of the U.S. Agencies
Antitrust enforcers have grown increasingly skeptical of merger remedies over time, but their approach varies with each administration. Where do antitrust enforcers in the second Trump administration stand on merger remedies? Adam Di Vincenzo, an antitrust deal lawyer, joins Amanda Hamilton and Jaclyn Phillips to discuss these shifts and offers practical advice for proposing merger remedi
#351 How Should Intent Apply in Competition Law? A Discussion With Maya-Salomé Garnier
The concept of intent is usually considered of little relevance to EU competition law enforcement and practice. But is that the reality and should this change? Maya-Salomé Garnier, lecturer at Aix-Marseille University, joins Matthew Hall and Alysha Pannu to discuss her book "Intent in Competition Law", which is the published version of her 2023 PhD thesis. Listen to this episode to learn
#350 What’s the Deal With Reverse Acquihires? Considering Antitrust and HSR Implications
Reverse acquihires are turning traditional merger dynamics on their head, raising fresh questions for dealmakers and regulators alike. But what exactly are the antitrust and HSR implications when talent, not technology or assets, drives the transaction? Sam Weinstein, Professor of Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, joins hosts Lexi Michaud and Anant Raut to unpack how reverse a
#349 What’s the Price Tag on Privacy? Turning Data Leaks Into Dollar Figures
Privacy litigation in the U.S. is at an all-time high owing in part to the growing body of privacy laws, particularly at the state level. But are there unique challenges associated with litigating privacy breaches? Dr. Andrew Stiver joins Jaclyn Phillips and Alysha Pannu to discuss privacy harms and how economic harm is measured for these harms. Listen to this episode if you want to learn
#348 Why Some Retail Deals Get Deeper Scrutiny? An Examination of Retail Merger Review and Analysis
In recent years, retail mergers have gotten more attention as consumers have grown more concerned with consolidation and how that impacts their pocketbooks. While antitrust enforcers scrutinize all retail mergers, not all have gotten a deeper look. How do enforcers decide which retail deals require deeper scrutiny? Emily Blackburn, Counsel at King & Spalding, and Laura Onken, Counsel
#347 Where Do We Draw the Line? The Intersection of the First Amendment and Antitrust Under the Noerr-Pennington Doctrine
The Noerr-Pennington doctrine is rooted in the First Amendment, and exempts certain activities involving petitioning the government from the normal rules of antitrust enforcement. But where do we draw the line on what activity is and is not protected? Abraham Chang, partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, joins Derek Jackson and Sergei Zaslavsky to discuss the Noerr-Pennington doctrine's roots,
#346 Who Is Elizabeth Odette? Meet the Chair of NAAG's Multistate Antitrust Task Force
State attorneys general are playing an increasingly important role in investigating and challenging antitrust violations that affect their constituents. In this episode, co-hosts James Hunsberger and Alicia Downey find out what the National Association of Attorneys General's Multistate Antitrust Task Force has been up to under the leadership of Task Force Chair Elizabeth Odette of the Off
#345 Who Is Renata Hesse? Meet the 2025-26 Antitrust Law Section Chair
August marks the beginning of a new ABA Antitrust Law Section year under the leadership of a new Chair. In this episode, co-hosts Anora Wang and Alicia Downey talk with Sullivan & Cromwell partner Renata Hesse, a longtime Section leader whose term as Chair began in August 2025. Our other featured guest is Renata's colleague Dan Richardson, who supports Renata as Counsel to the Chair.
#344 What Happens When Antitrust Lawyers Form a Bar Band? Behind the Music of Side Hustle
Antitrust lawyers by day, rock stars by night. Who are the members of Side Hustle, the Antitrust Law Section’s unofficial house band? They include prominent members of the antitrust law community, with more than a century of combined experience working in government, private practice, and academia. In this episode we’ll learn what has kept Side Hustle rocking on for the past several years
#343 FTC v. DOJ: Who Wore It Better?
Why does the U.S. have two antitrust enforcement agencies—and how do they really differ in practice? In this episode, Puja Patel and Barry Nigro are joined by Debbie Majoras, former FTC Chair and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ Antitrust Division, to explore the procedural, cultural, and strategic distinctions between the FTC and DOJ. From procedural standards to enfor
#342 Can Antitrust Be More Innovation-Centric? An Economic Conversation With Professor Richard Gilbert
Innovation is central to long-term economic welfare and deserves greater emphasis in antitrust policy. But can U.S. antitrust law be reshaped to be more innovation-centric? Professor Richard Gilbert joins hosts Anora Wang and Panos Dimitrellos to examine the relationship between competition and innovation, how agencies and courts have recently treated innovation, and practical tools for a
#341 How Should Killer Acquisitions Be Assessed? A Discussion With Professor Nicolas Petit
Merger control regulators in the EU and around the world continue to focus on killer acquisitions. But is this concern justified in the digital sector? Professor Nicolas Petit, a leading competition law academic, joins Matthew Hall and Blair Matthews to discuss the Antitrust Law Journal article on the subject he co-authored and killer acquisitions generally. Listen to this episode to lear
#340 How Do You Win (and Not Lose) a Merger Trial?
Merger litigation is fast, high-stakes, and often unpredictable. So what does it take to win—or avoid losing—when the government challenges a deal? In this episode, Puja Patel and James Hunsberger are joined by Kieran Gostin, a partner at Wilkinson Stekloff and a seasoned merger trial lawyer who helped Microsoft defeat the FTC in its challenge to the Activision acquisition. From trial pre
#339 How Do Presidents Shape Antitrust? The Oval Office and the Enforcement Pendulum
Antitrust enforcement can change dramatically between Presidential administrations. What makes the political winds flip between more and less enforcement? In this episode, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Kades joins hosts Anant Raut and Anna Olson to step back and draw insightful themes from the history of antitrust enforcement across Presidential administrations.With spe
#338 How Clean Are Your Claims? Understanding the New Anti-Greenwashing Amendments to Canada’s Competition Act
Among the recent amendments to Canada's Competition Act are new provisions targeting so-called “greenwashing,” i.e., misleading claims in advertising regarding the environmental benefits of a product. In a related development, the Competition Bureau has issued guidelines concerning its enforcement approach to environmental claims under the new law. What will be the impact of the changes o
#337 What Are the Risks of a Minority Shareholding? The European Commission’s Decision in Delivery Hero/Glovo
In June 2025, the European Commission announced a decision under which it fined two competing online food delivery companies a combined total of €329 million for cartel behaviour that took place while one company held a minority stake in the other company. The infringing behaviour included, among other things, exchanging competitively sensitive information “beyond what was needed for a co
#336 What Are the Risks of Serial Acquisitions? Empirical Evidence From the Dialysis Industry
There is a growing interest in understanding the economics of serial acquisitions, particularly in the healthcare industries and markets, and whether such corporate strategies lead to changes in prices and quality causing antitrust concerns. What has been found in existing economic studies? Paul Eliason, Assistant Professor of Economics at Brigham Young University and co-author of a leadi
#335 Are You Ready To Respond? Developments in Competition Law Dawn Raids
The "dawn raid" is one of the rare moments of high drama in the work of many competition lawyers. How can you be prepared when that early-morning phone call or text from a client comes? Ashley Latham, an antitrust and government investigations litigator with Linklaters LLP, joins Matthew Hall and Matt Reynolds for a discussion of current "dawn raid" trends in the U.S. and the European Uni
#334 What’s the Word on Wage-Fixing? Cracking Down on Collusion Among Employers
The U.S. Department of Justice has made it clear that some agreements among competing employers regarding workers’ salaries or other terms of compensation--so-called “wage-fixing agreements”--may be subject to criminal prosecution. What kind of conduct falls within the scope of wage-fixing? In this episode, hosts Alicia Downey and Blair Matthews talk to Crowell & Moring partner and fo
#333 Is Antitrust Fashionable This Season? Antitrust in the Fashion Industry
What happens when antitrust law meets high fashion? In this episode, experienced fashion and luxury industry counsel Andowah Newton, joins Jeny Maier and Puja Patel to unpack recent antitrust cases in the luxury and fashion industries. From the FTC’s challenge to Tapestry’s acquisition of Capri, to no-poach allegations involving Saks and major fashion houses, to tying claims against Hermè
#332 What Is the Role of Behavioural Economics in Consumer Protection Enforcement? The UK’s New DMCC Act Regime
The UK's consumer protection regime changed early in 2025. How will behavioural economics be used by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in applying the rules? Stefan Hunt, partner at Keystone Strategy in London, joins Matthew Reynolds and Matthew Hall to discuss previous consumer protection cases investigated by the CMA and the new regime under the Digital Markets, Competition
#331 Wait, We Have to Tell Who? What You Need to Know About State Premerger Notifications
State legislatures around United States have passed or are on track to pass legislation that requires parties to submit notice to the state attorney general or other state authority when certain transactions result in a material change in ownership. Why are states passing these laws and how are they affecting regulatory review of transactions? Axinn partner Lisl Dunlop joins hosts Alicia
#330 What's Happening in Paraguay and Costa Rica? Catching Up With International Enforcers at the 2025 Spring Meeting
While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world, including Paraguay and Costa Rica. In the first segment of this episode, Alicia Downey interviews Commissioner Eduardo Barros of Paraguay's National Competition Commission (CONACOM). Following that, Ma
#329 What's Happening in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Japan? Catching Up With International Enforcers at the 2025 Spring Meeting
While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world. In the first segment of this episode, Anora Wang speaks with Ellie Siu, Senior Legal Counsel of the Competition Commission of Hong Kong. Next Matthew Hall interviews Michael Aguinaldo, the Chairperson
#328 What Should I Know About Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and COMESA? Developments in Key African Regimes
Merger control and antitrust enforcement continues to develop rapidly in Africa. What is happening in the key jurisdictions of Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria and COMESA? John Oxenham, lawyer at Primerio, and Nicolas Bremer, lawyer at Bremer, join Matthew Hall to discuss developments. Listen to this episode to learn more about the status of African antitrust and merger control enforcement ge
#327 What's Happening in Germany and Portugal? Catching Up With International Enforcers at the 2025 Spring Meeting
While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world, including Germany and Portugal. In the first segment of this episode, James Hunsberger interviews Andreas Mundt, the President of Germany's Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) and Chair of the Ste
#326 What's Happening in Italy and Greece? Catching Up With International Enforcers at the 2025 Spring Meeting
While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world, including Italy and Greece. In the first segment of this episode, Jaclyn Phillips interviews Saverio Valentino, Board Member of the Italian Competition Authority. Following that is the conversation bet
#325 What’s Your POV? A Conversation With Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti at the 2025 Spring Meeting
While on site at the Antitrust Law Section's 2025 Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C., Section Chair-Elect Renata Hesse interviewed Mario Monti, former prime minister of Italy (2011-2013), and European commissioner for competition (1999-2004). What does he think about the current state of international competition enforcement? What direction does he think the U.S. and Europe should take to
#324 Is Green the New Black? Greenwashing and Consumer Protection in the Fashion Industry
Sustainability claims are everywhere in the fashion industry — but how can consumers tell what’s real and what’s greenwashing? Baker McKenzie attorneys David Baay and Katia Boneva-Desmicht join Jeny Maier and Puja Patel to discuss civil litigation in this space, as well as government enforcement efforts on both sides of the Atlantic, from the FTC’s Green Guides review to the European Comm
Recommended
Dateline NBC
True Crime Classics
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar Collection
Suspense OTR
پلی لیست | PlayList
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Bible Tea
Dark Night Tales with Brian King
Fox news
CBS Radio Mystery Theater | Old Time Radio
Old Time Radio Mystery, Suspense, & Horror
