Hogan Lovells Publications
You can't spell FinTech without FTC Antitrust and Competition Alert
10 May 2019
Meghan Rissmiller
PartnerWashington, D.C.
Email meghan.rissmiller@hoganlovells.com
Phone +1 202 637 4658
Fax +1 202 637 5910
Practice groupGlobal Regulatory
Meghan (Edwards-Ford) Rissmiller guides companies through the thicket of U.S. merger clearance. Whether before the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Meghan has the experience and know-how to help companies develop effective clearance strategies, particularly when the transaction is complex and the antitrust issues are challenging.
She counsels clients on a range of non-merger antitrust and consumer protection issues and has litigated antitrust cases in federal court and administrative actions. Meghan is experienced in the technology, media, and telecommunications; aerospace, defense, and government services; and consumer and retail goods industries. Her deep understanding of her clients' business needs and challenges has made her a trusted advisor to many global companies.
Meghan joined Hogan Lovells after clerking for the Honorable Jane R. Roth of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, giving her valuable insight into judicial thinking and how to successfully advocate for her clients. Prior to attending law school, Meghan spent two years as a national security analyst for a major U.S. defense contractor based in Virginia.
In addition to maintaining a rigorous legal practice, Meghan is active in the American Bar Association's section of antitrust law. She's a Vice Chair of the Pricing Committee and a former member of the editorial board of the Antitrust Source. She's a longstanding member of the law school and judicial clerk recruitment committee at Hogan Lovells and supports many of the firm's diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Awards and recognitions
2017-2018
Antitrust: Merger Control
Legal 500 US
Education and admissions
Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2008
B.A., College of William & Mary, magna cum laude, 2003
Memberships
Vice Chair, Federal Civil Enforcement Committee, American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law
Former Vice Chair, Pricing Conduct Committee, American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law
Former Member, Editorial Board, Antitrust Source
Member, Section of Antitrust Law, American Bar Association
Member, Young Lawyers Division, American Bar Association
Bar admissions and qualifications
District of Columbia
Maryland
Court admissions
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Maryland Court of Appeals
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Representative experience
Represented Change Healthcare in obtaining unconditional antitrust clearance from the U.S. DOJ for its US$3.4bn JV with McKesson Technology Solutions.
Served as antitrust counsel to ARRIS in its US$2.1bn acquisition of Pace plc, obtaining unconditional antitrust clearance from the U.S. DOJ and in its US$2.35bn acquisition of Google Inc.'s Motorola Home business.
Provided antitrust counsel to Dell in the US$3bn divestiture of its global information technology services division (Dell Services) to NTT Data.
Advised IBM in the divestiture of its semiconductor business to GlobalFoundries.
Antitrust counsel to PPG Industries, Inc. in its US$1.05bn acquisition of the North American architectural coatings business of Akzo-Nobel S.A.
Counseling clients in multiple industries on various antitrust issues, including issues related to pricing, vertical agreements, joint ventures, information sharing, and consumer protection.
Antitrust counsel to Orbital Sciences Corporation in its US$5bn merger of equals with Alliant Techsystems (ATK).
Antitrust counsel to GenCorp Inc. in its US$550m acquisition of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.
Antitrust counsel to Illinois Tools Works Inc. in the US$650m divestiture of its industrial finishing businesses.
Counsel to LabCorp in the defense of its challenged merger with Westcliff Medical Laboratories. Named "Litigation of the Year" at the 2012 GCR Awards.
Represented Daimler Trucks North America in antitrust class actions alleging conspiracy by U.S. truck manufacturers and transmission supplier.
Provide counseling to an automotive OEM on all aspects of U.S. antitrust law.
Represented Choice Hotels in antitrust class action alleging conspiracy between hotels and online travel agencies; successfully obtained dismissal.
Represented Ford Motor Company in antitrust litigation pursuing claims against polyurethane foam manufacturer alleged to have conspired to raise price.
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