Non-compete rulemaking faces legal hurdles but could help Biden politically
The Federal Trade Commission’s rulemaking on non-compete agreements faces legal obstacles but could reap political and public policy benefits even if it’s struck down in court.
Chess cheating, defamation and the Twombly pleading standard
It’s an unusual legal story that involves international chess tournaments, the Twombly standard for pleading collusion, Arthur Schopenhauer, and radio-controlled vibrating sex devices — all at the same time. But this is such a story.
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News of Smith’s conflicts rekindles debate over his leadership
News that Andrew Smith, who heads the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, has conflicts of interest that prevent his participation in matters pertaining to 120 companies has...
Antitrust policy divide apparent in DC, beyond
When discussing the nuances of antitrust, it’s often a tale of two perspectives.
In tough call, FTC closes Massachusetts hospital merger probe
The Federal Trade Commission closed an investigation of a proposed deal combining healthcare providers in eastern Massachusetts — a decision that it said was “not an easy one” — on the same day the...
Money isn’t everything: Antitrust agency jobs offer chance for greater impact
Salary records for Department of Justice antitrust chief Makan Delrahim and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joe Simons make one thing clear: they aren’t doing it for the money.
Merger ‘second requests’ down as 2018 wraps
As the year wraps up, FTCWatch counts seven pending big deals that have garnered “second requests” — five from the Federal Trade Commission and two from the Department of Justice. Our list last...
Ohlhausen drops judicial nomination to join Baker Botts
Maureen Ohlhausen, who served as acting chairman of the Federal Trade Commission until earlier this year, will join Baker Botts as co-chair of the global antitrust practice starting next month.