Is Use of Upfront Buyers Causing Longer Merger Investigations? Q1 2016 Update Confirms 2015 Trends

Antitrust Investigation Duration Near Record Levels; Merger Litigation Taking Longer, Too

No Let Up in Antitrust Merger Investigation or the Duration of Merger Investigations

Public Relations and Social Media Manager, Dechert LLP

Peggy Heffner

Public Relations and Social Media Manager

Dechert is a global specialist law firm

Dechert LLP

Dechert is a global specialist law firm.
Focused on sectors with the greatest complexities, legal intricacies and highest regulatory demands, we excel in delivering practical commercial judgment and deep legal expertise for high-stakes matters.

Our work is widely recognized. We have 20 standout practices noted by Chambers Global, including global-wide rankings for arbitration, corporate investigations, anti-corruption, investment funds and life sciences. Named Antitrust Team of the Year, Chambers USA commends our “accomplished group” as “routinely sought after to handle some of the most significant litigation and transactions in the antitrust world.” 

In an increasingly challenging environment, clients look to us to serve them in ways that are faster, sharper and leaner without compromising excellence. We developed a first-of-its kind legal project management department, which uses technology, people and processes to drive efficiency and deliver value for our clients.

We are innovators. Dechert ranked #7 in the Financial Times’ Top North American Innovative Law Firms. Financial Times also recognizes us among the Top European Innovative Law Firms and highly commends World Compass, our marketing compliance service, which offers investment firms advice in more than 100 jurisdictions.

Event-Driven

Significant antitrust merger investigations in the United States took an average of 9.6 months in 2015, more than a third longer than the average just two years ago, according to DAMITT, the Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Timing Tracker.Federal enforcement activity resulted in 37 significant merger investigations, seven of which generated complaints seeking to block proposed deals and 24 of which were resolved by consent orders. Each of these figures was a record for the five years during which DAMITT has been tracking antitrust merger investigations.Antitrust merger investigation activity is up, and investigations are taking longer than ever to complete.

Significant antitrust merger investigations in the United States took an average of 9.6 months in 2015, more than a third longer than the average just two years ago, according to DAMITT, the Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Timing Tracker.Federal enforcement activity resulted in 37 significant merger investigations, seven of which generated complaints seeking to block proposed deals and 24 of which were resolved by consent orders. Each of these figures was a record for the five years during which DAMITT has been tracking antitrust merger investigations.Antitrust merger investigation activity is up, and investigations are taking longer than ever to complete. 

Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Reports Record Duration of U.S. Merger Investigations in 2015

Applied Materials

Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Reports Record Duration of U.S. Merger Investigations in 2015