Private equity firms are a key client group for Debevoise & Plimpton LLP‘s antitrust practice, and the team advises significant players in the market, such as Albertsons. The group has experience in negotiations with the FTC and the DOJ, particularly in relation to M&A. Michael Schaper leads the antitrust and competition team from New York, alongside Ted Hassi in Washington DC. Also based in New York, Erica Weisgerber regularly participates in class actions and antitrust and mass tort litigations. Leah Martin, in DC, has a strong background in obtaining merger clearances in transactions reviewed by antitrust agencies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • Albertsons Companies, Inc.
  • Ardagh Glass, Inc.
  • BTD Recovery Holdings 4, LLC
  • DBS Bank Ltd.
  • GAF Materials LLC
  • Reddit
  • Tether
  • The Bank of Yokohama Ltd
  • Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and Toyota Canada, Inc.
  • Wilsonart International Holdings
  • Yardi Systems Inc.

Work highlights

  • Successfully defended Albertsons in an unprecedented suit brought by four state AGs alleging an Albertsons dividend announced at the same time as its $24.6bn merger was the result of collusion between Albertsons and Kroger to weaken Albertsons and thus ward off antitrust scrutiny.
  • Representing the former CEO of Sandoz, in several cases that have been consolidated in the In re Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation multi-district litigation.
  • Represents Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and Toyota Canada Inc. In re: Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation No. (II), bringing price-fixing claims against the four major U.S. railroads arising from the railroads’ implementation of novel and coordinated rail fuel surcharge programs in the mid-2000s.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ted Hassi, Michael Schaper, Erica Weisgerber, Timothy McIver

Other key lawyers

Leah Martin