Our Curious Amalgam

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 "willful conduct" was the primary cause of the deal failing to satisfy the HSR closing condition and ordered specific performance. What happened to make this deal go wrong, and what can we learn from it? David Pearl, partner at HSF Kramer, joins Jeny Maier and Brian Auricchio to discuss the FTC's market-reset theory, the distinction between "willful conduct" and "willful breach," and the implications for drafting merger agreements and assessing antitrust risk.
With special guest:
David Pearl, Partner, HSF Kramer
 
Related Links:
Delaware Chancery Court Opinion
Hosted by:
Jeny Maier, Axinn and Brian Auricchio, Haug Partners

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 January 1, 2027.
With special guest:
Heather Greenfield, Partner, White & Case

Hosted by:
Jaclyn Phillips, Proskauer Rose and Puja Patel, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

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 this episode to learn how issues involving data access, market infrastructure, AI, and overlapping regulatory regimes look from inside the client.
With special guest:
Kay Lynn Brumbaugh, Head of Litigation, Group Legal, London Stock Exchange Group plc

Related Links:
LSEG website
Hosted by:
Anora Wang, Quinn Emanuel and Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods

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 Associates, joins Brian Auricchio and Jaclyn Phillips to discuss economic considerations when evaluating potential antitrust concerns relating to 340B. Listen to this episode to learn more about factors that can help analyze this conduct.
With special guest:
Archan Ruparel, Charles River Associates

Hosted by:
Brian Auricchio, Haug Partners and Jaclyn Phillips, Proskauer Rose

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 and processes, and remain a home for vigorous debate and a broad range of perspectives across the antitrust community.

With special guests:
Melanie Aitken, Chair, ABA Antitrust Law Section and Christina Skinner, Counsel to the Chair, ABA Antitrust Law Section

Hosted by:
Anora Wang and Lexi Michaud, Fried Frank