Mergers & Acquisitions

Recognized by Global Competition Review (GCR) as one of the world’s top firms for competition economics, The Brattle Group offers economic support for mergers and acquisitions across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. Our multilingual team of seasoned economists – including former officials from competition authorities – brings deep experience and technical rigor to every stage of the M&A process.

We regularly advise clients in merger reviews before agencies including the US Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, European Commission, and national authorities in jurisdictions such as Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Greater China. Our experts have also supported litigation before the US District Courts and the European Court of First Instance.

Brattle provides comprehensive support to our clients across the merger lifecycle, including:

• Pre-Announcement Risk Assessment
  We help clients anticipate and mitigate antitrust concerns prior to announcing a deal. Support includes providing strategic guidance on deal structure and market framing to reduce regulatory risk.
• Competitive Assessment and Preparation for Agency Engagement
  Once a transaction is announced, we support engagement with competition authorities by providing robust analyses of market definition and market shares, horizontal and vertical merger effects, and potential efficiencies. Our empirical tools include:

• Econometric analyses of consumer behavior using internal client data, public information, and scanner data
• Survey design, response collection, evaluation, and analysis
• Evaluation of market events, such as entry, exit, expansion, or other “natural experiments”
• Calculation of potential price and welfare effects using upwards pricing pressure metrics and merger simulations

• Efficient Data Compliance
  Our team of data engineers and project managers streamlines responses to Second Requests, Supplementary Information Requests (SIRs), and Phase 1 inquiries. We work closely with clients to manage agency demands efficiently while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.
• Direct Interaction with Authorities and Litigation Support
  We prepare white papers, engage directly with enforcement agencies, and support clients in responding to inquiries. If a transaction is challenged, we provide expert testimony and litigation support grounded in our extensive experience in antitrust cases.
• Design of Effective Remedies
  In cases where regulatory remedies are needed, we help evaluate and design targeted solutions that address agency concerns while preserving deal value and facilitating timely approval.

Brattle’s deep bench of economists is known for solving complex merger-related challenges with clarity and precision. Our insights enable clients to navigate regulatory processes effectively and maximize the likelihood of successful outcomes.