SCL Founding Partner Matthew Cantor was recently quoted by Law360 about how State Attorneys General offices are increasingly monitoring mergers for possible antitrust enforcement:
Matthew L. Cantor, a partner with Shinder Cantor Lerner, said the states’ intervention in the proceedings is significant and provides another example of state-level antitrust enforcers stepping-in when they feel mergers are problematic. He noted that a group of states tried but failed to block T-Mobile’s purchase of Sprint several years ago, despite a DOJ settlement.
He also said the allegations of improper influence at the federal level could mean even more scrutiny for deals by the states in the future.
“[The States are] not going to have the same faith that the Antitrust Division is actually challenging mergers on the merits, on whether or not the merger will likely harm consumers,” Cantor said. “What does that mean for antitrust practitioners? I think it means that they’re going to have to spend a lot more time with the states.”
For the full article by Law360, click here (paywall).
