McDermott Partner Contributes to Antitrust Commission Recommendations
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 3, 2007) — Today, the 12-member bipartisan Antitrust Modernization Commission (AMC) released its Report & Recommendations to the President and U.S. Congress. The report outlines recommendations concerning the Federal Trade Commission / U.S. Department of Justice review of mergers, the laws governing pricing arrangements and the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
One of the President’s appointments to the commission was Bobby R. Burchfield, co-partner-in-charge of McDermott Will & Emery's Washington, D.C. office and head of Firm's Complex Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Burchfield has practiced in the area of complex corporate litigation, including antitrust litigation, since 1981. He is highly rated by such services as Chambers Global, Chambers USA and other services.
"It was an honor to serve with this outstanding group of Commissioners and the exceptional staff," commented Mr. Burchfield. "Our final report is the product of extensive hearings and public comment, numerous public discussions and ongoing collaboration among the Commissioners, and intensive research by the Commission staff."
One of our most significant recommendations entails the streamlining and coordination of merger reviews among federal, state and international antitrust enforcement authorities. "The aim is to make merger reviews more efficient by encouraging greater cooperation among the various authorities," Mr. Burchfield said. Among other recommendations, the Commission also recommended legislative repeal of the Robinson-Patman Act, which prohibits certain forms of price discrimination, and legislative overruling of decisions prohibiting indirect purchasers of goods affected by price-fixing conspiracies from suing under federal law.
The Antitrust Modernization Commission was created pursuant to the Antitrust Modernization Commission Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-273, §§ 11051-60, 116 Stat. 1856, to study the U.S. antitrust laws and determine whether they should be modernized. The Commission consists of four members appointed by the President, four members appointed by the leadership of the Senate, and four members appointed by the leadership of the House of Representatives. For more information, visit http://www.amc.gov/.
