DOJ Announces Reforms To Merger Review Process

Makan Delrahim, Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division (“Division”), announced a series of reforms that aim to expedite the Division’s merger review process.

In a speech at the 2018 Global Antitrust Enforcement Symposium at Georgetown University Law Center on September 25, 2018, Delrahim announced reforms that apply to various stages of the merger review process. Given the current environment in which mergers are increasingly taking longer to review and clear, Delrahim announced that the Division “will aim to resolve most investigations within six months of filing,” provided parties cooperate throughout the process.

Initial Stages of Investigation. The Division Front Office will be open to an initial, introductory meeting with parties to discuss the deal rationale and facts that will be important to the Division’s analysis. The Division will also publish a model voluntary request letter that identifies key information so