FTC Announces Schedule for Workshops on Merger Investigation Best Practices

Joseph J. Simons, Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition, today announced a schedule and agenda for public workshops on merger investigation best practices. The schedule includes specialized workshops on electronic records and on accounting and financial data, and several general sessions covering the full range of merger investigation practices. The Commission's March 15 press release - FTC Initiates Best Practices Analysis for Merger Review Process - contains more detailed information on the subject matter at issue. Separate meetings on remedy best practices are being scheduled.

These workshops are designed so that the public can identify ways in which the Commission can improve its merger investigation practices. Interested groups or individuals are encouraged to present any recommendations, criticisms, or ideas for improvements. The meetings will be transcribed stenographically to assist the Commission in identifying best practices. Any one wishing to submit written comments in advance may do so at bestpractices@ftc.gov.

Schedule and Agenda
Location	Date	FTC Representatives	Agenda
Washington, D.C., 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 332	Monday, June 3, 2:00 to 3:30	D. Bruce Hoffman, Associate Director for Regions; Dennis F. Johnson, Attorney, Mergers III; Greg Brown, Computer Specialist	Workshop on Electronic Records
San Francisco Regional Office, 901 Market Street, Suite 570	Wednesday, June 5, 12:00 to 1:30	Michael G. Cowie, Senior Litigation Counsel; D. Bruce Hoffman, Associate Director for Regions; Rhett R. Krulla, Deputy Assistant Director, Mergers II; John P. Wiegand, Attorney, Western Region	General Session on Best Practices for Merger Investigations
The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 42 West 44th Street, New York, NY	Wednesday, June 12, 12:00 to 1:30	Joseph J. Simons, Director, Bureau of Competition; Rhett R. Krulla, Deputy Assistant Director, Mergers II; Steven K. Bernstein, Deputy Assistant Director, Mergers I; Barbara Anthony, Director, Northeast Region	General Session on Best Practices for Merger Investigations
Chicago Regional Office, 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 1860`	Tuesday, June 18, 12:00 to 1:30	Michael G. Cowie, Senior Litigation Counsel; Rhett R. Krulla, Deputy Assistant Director, Mergers II; Steven K. Bernstein, Deputy Assistant Director, Mergers I	General Session on Best Practices for Merger Investigations
Los Angeles Regional Office, 10877 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700	Tuesday, June 25, 12:00 to 1:30	Michael G. Cowie, Senior Litigation Counsel; D. Bruce Hoffman, Associate Director for Regions; Peter A. Richman, Attorney, Mergers III; Norris E. Washington, Attorney, Western Region	General Session on Best Practices for Merger Investigations
Washington, D.C., 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 332	Thursday, June 27, 12:00 to 1:30	Joseph J. Simons, Director, Bureau of Competition; Michael G. Cowie, Senior Litigation Counsel; Rhett R. Krulla, Deputy Assistant Director, Mergers II; Steven K. Bernstein, Deputy Assistant Director, Mergers I	General Session on Best Practices for Merger Investigations
Washington, D.C., 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 332	Wednesday, July 10, 2:00 to 3:30	Joseph J. Simons, Director, Bureau of Competition; Mary T. Coleman, Associate Director, Bureau of Economics; Gabriel H. Dagen, Acting Assistant Director for Accounting and Financial Analysis; Elizabeth Schneirov, Special Assistant to Director, Bureau of Economics	Workshop on Accounting or Financial Data

MEDIA CONTACT:

Cathy MacFarlane
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-3657

STAFF CONTACT:

Michael G. Cowie
Senior Litigation Counsel
202-326-2214