Insights

Washington, D.C.-based antitrust partner Shawn R. Johnson talks to Law360 about the potential passage of a bill to align the preliminary injunction standards for mergers at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. "It got passed out of committee in the House, but had not been taken up in the Senate. But with the new Republican leadership, I think the likelihood of getting it passed out of the Senate is much higher," Johnson said. "Even in that situation it's quite unknown whether it would end up being passed and whether there's support in the White House."

Washington, D.C.-based attorney Shawn Johnson is featured in Global Competition Review as being recently promoted to partner in the firm's Antitrust Group. Johnson shares, "I am very excited and looking forward to continuing to grow our practice. This promotion offers me an opportunity to develop additional clients and provides me a platform for further growth." Co-chair of the Antitrust Group, Wm. Randolph Smith tells the publication that Johnson's "deep industry knowledge and ability to offer practical solutions will continue to add value to our clients."

Crowell & Moring’s work in Aetna’s $5.7 billion acquisition of Coventry Healthcare featured.

Crowell & Moring LLP Antitrust Group counsel Shawn R. Johnson is featured for his comments on antitrust concerns in joint ventures. According to Johnson, “The antitrust concerns become far more complicated in a joint venture than they do in a straight acquisition the most significant difference is that there are not only transaction and formational issues, but then there are operational issues. That adds just one more layer of questions for antitrust officials at the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice to sift through.”

With the Obama administration's antitrust and Federal Trade Commission officials vowing a tougher line than their predecessors on antitrust concerns with mergers, secondary review is something that has begun to show up on deal professionals' radar screens. Crowell & Moring LLP Antitrust Group counsel Shawn R. Johnson talks about the latest in a small but increasing number of deals to receive post-consummation review.