#326 What's Happening in Italy and Greece? Catching Up With International Enforcers at the 2025 Spring Meeting
Release Date: 05/19/2025
Our Curious Amalgam
The U.S. Department of Justice has made it clear that some agreements among competing employers regarding workers’ salaries or other terms of compensation--so-called “wage-fixing agreements”--may be subject to criminal prosecution. What kind of conduct falls within the scope of wage-fixing? In this episode, hosts Alicia Downey and Blair Matthews talk to Crowell & Moring partner and former senior DOJ prosecutor Ken Dintzer about the latest developments on the wage-fixing front, including the first criminal conviction for wage-fixing won at trial. Listen and learn what business...
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What happens when antitrust law meets high fashion? In this episode, experienced fashion and luxury industry counsel Andowah Newton, joins Jeny Maier and Puja Patel to unpack recent antitrust cases in the luxury and fashion industries. From the FTC’s challenge to Tapestry’s acquisition of Capri, to no-poach allegations involving Saks and major fashion houses, to tying claims against Hermès and its coveted Birkin bag, we explore how competition law is colliding with market definition, exclusivity, branding, and status. Listen in for insights on how antitrust enforcers—and the...
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The UK's consumer protection regime changed early in 2025. How will behavioural economics be used by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in applying the rules? Stefan Hunt, partner at Keystone Strategy in London, joins Matthew Reynolds and Matthew Hall to discuss previous consumer protection cases investigated by the CMA and the new regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Listen to this episode to learn more about the application of behavioural economics to consumer protection enforcement and how companies should prepare. With special guest: Stefan...
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State legislatures around United States have passed or are on track to pass legislation that requires parties to submit notice to the state attorney general or other state authority when certain transactions result in a material change in ownership. Why are states passing these laws and how are they affecting regulatory review of transactions? Axinn partner Lisl Dunlop joins hosts Alicia Downey and Rubin Waranch to discuss the expansion of state "mini-HSR laws" in detail. Listen to this episode to learn more about the ins and outs of the notice requirements and their interaction with the U.S....
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While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world, including Paraguay and Costa Rica. In the first segment of this episode, Alicia Downey interviews Commissioner Eduardo Barros of Paraguay's National Competition Commission (CONACOM). Following that, Matthew Reynolds speaks with Viviana Blanco Barboza, the president of the Costa Rica Commission for the Promotion of Competition (COPROCOM). Listen to this episode to hear what’s been happening in their...
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While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world. In the first segment of this episode, Anora Wang speaks with Ellie Siu, Senior Legal Counsel of the Competition Commission of Hong Kong. Next Matthew Hall interviews Michael Aguinaldo, the Chairperson of the Philippine Competition Commission. And finally, Anora Wang checks in with Commissioner Reiko Aoki of the Japan Fair Trade Commission. You’ll hear what’s been happening in their respective agencies...
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Merger control and antitrust enforcement continues to develop rapidly in Africa. What is happening in the key jurisdictions of Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria and COMESA? John Oxenham, lawyer at Primerio, and Nicolas Bremer, lawyer at Bremer, join Matthew Hall to discuss developments. Listen to this episode to learn more about the status of African antitrust and merger control enforcement generally and these jurisdictions specifically. With special guests: John Oxenham, partner, Primerio and Nicolas Bremer, partner, Bremer Related Links: Hosted by: Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods London LLP...
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While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world, including Germany and Portugal. In the first segment of this episode, James Hunsberger interviews Andreas Mundt, the President of Germany's Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) and Chair of the Steering Group of the International Competition Network (ICN). Next, Jeny Maier's speaks with Nuno Cunha Rodrigues, the President of the Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC). Listen to this episode to hear...
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While on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world, including Italy and Greece. In the first segment of this episode, Jaclyn Phillips interviews Saverio Valentino, Board Member of the Italian Competition Authority. Following that is the conversation between Panos Dimitrellos and Hara Nikolopoulou, Vice President of the Hellenic Competition Commission. Listen to this episode to hear what’s been happening in their respective agencies, and what makes them...
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While on site at the Antitrust Law Section's 2025 Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C., Section Chair-Elect Renata Hesse interviewed Mario Monti, former prime minister of Italy (2011-2013), and European commissioner for competition (1999-2004). What does he think about the current state of international competition enforcement? What direction does he think the U.S. and Europe should take to improve their working relationship? Listen to this episode for a wide-ranging discussion about the past, present, and future of international cooperation in a geopolitically volatile era. With special guest:...
info_outlineWhile on site at the 2025 Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section, the Our Curious Amalgam team recorded interviews with senior competition agency enforcers from all over the world, including Italy and Greece. In the first segment of this episode, Jaclyn Phillips interviews Saverio Valentino, Board Member of the Italian Competition Authority. Following that is the conversation between Panos Dimitrellos and Hara Nikolopoulou, Vice President of the Hellenic Competition Commission. Listen to this episode to hear what’s been happening in their respective agencies, and what makes them happy outside of competition law.
With special guests:
Saverio Valentino, Board Member, Italian Competition Authority and Hara Nikolopoulou, Vice President, Hellenic Competition Commission
Related Links:
Italian Competition Authority
Hellenic Competition Commission
Hosted by:
Alicia Downey, Downey Law LLC, Jaclyn Phillips, White & Case LLP, and Panos Dimitrellos, Secretariat Economists LLC