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France: Competition watchdog to examine Carrefour-Provera alliance

 |  June 21, 2016

France’s Competition Authority will conduct a two-month investigation into a proposal by leading supermarket group Carrefour and Cora’s Provera to expand a purchasing alliance.

The investigation comes as the regulator continues to examine a purchasing and store-swap alliance between French supermarket group Auchan and Super U owner Systeme U to decide whether it would threaten competition in the sector.

The head of the watchdog, Bruno Lasserre, told a hearing before the National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Commission on Tuesday that it had received notification of a further alliance between Carrefour and Provera on non-premium products.

Cooperation on purchasing typically means retailers will benefit from greater power in negotiations with suppliers.

Full Content: Reuters

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Top Antitrust Expert Joins Cravath from Paul Weiss Top Antitrust Expert Finch Joins Cravath from Paul Weiss

Top Antitrust Expert Joins Cravath from Paul Weiss

 |  January 21, 2025

Andrew Finch, a prominent figure in U.S. antitrust law and former top official at the Justice Department during the first Donald Trump administration, has made the move to Cravath, Swaine & Moore from rival firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Finch, who most recently co-chaired the antitrust practice at Paul Weiss, is set to join Cravath’s litigation department as a partner in New York.

According to Reuters, Finch’s tenure at the Justice Department, where he served as principal deputy assistant attorney general and acting assistant attorney general in the antitrust division between 2017 and 2019, underscores his expertise in the field. His work in government, alongside his clients at Paul Weiss, including Spirit Airlines, Uber, and Mastercard, makes him a valuable addition to Cravath’s team. At Cravath, Finch will focus on advising clients on antitrust investigations, litigation, and merger reviews, according to the firm’s announcement.

In a statement, Faiza Saeed, Cravath’s presiding partner, highlighted Finch’s credentials, noting that his experience “will be invaluable to our clients as they navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment.” Saeed’s comments reflect the growing demand for expert guidance in the fast-evolving antitrust landscape.

The news of Finch’s departure from Paul Weiss comes just after the inauguration of President Donald Trump for his second term, a timing that adds another layer of significance to the move. A Paul Weiss spokesperson expressed well wishes to Finch, acknowledging his contributions to the firm.

Cravath’s decision to bring Finch aboard is part of a broader trend where the firm, historically known for promoting from within, has increasingly looked outside for top-tier talent. In recent years, Cravath has recruited several former government officials, including a trio of regulatory experts in 2022 to open a new office in Washington, D.C. This follows the 2022 hire of Noah Phillips, a former commissioner at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission during the Trump administration, who now co-chairs Cravath’s antitrust practice alongside Christine Varney, a former U.S. assistant attorney general for antitrust under the Obama administration.

Source: Reuters