Dechert Nominated for Four Global Competition Review Awards

In the "Merger Control Matter of the Year - Americas" category, the publication named the Evonik/PeroxyChem transaction to the shortlist. Dechert acted for PeroxyChem in this litigated merger that ended the FTC’s five-case winning streak for its D.C. federal court merger challenges. This is also the first FTC trial loss in a merger case in D.C. federal court since 2007, when Dechert defended Whole Foods in its acquisition of Wild Oats. Dechert has successfully defended clients in the FTC’s only two losses in merger trials in D.C. federal court over the past fifteen years. The Evonik/PeroxyChem merger was the only FTC-litigated merger case in 2019.

GCR also shortlisted the Fresenius/NxStage transaction in the same category. Here, Dechert represented Fresenius Medical Care North America, a leading provider of dialysis products and services, in its US$2 billion acquisition of NxStage, a U.S. manufacturer of home dialysis machines. Despite horizontal and vertical issues, the deal gained clearance in the United States in February 2019, subject only to a minor divestiture.

In the individual categories, partner Mike Cowie was shortlisted for "Lawyer of the Year," a category reserved for antitrust lawyers whose "superior skill, practical judgement and excellence in client service" mark them out as among the very best in the field. Cowie led Dechert’s antitrust team in securing clearance for CVS Health’s US$70 billion merger with health insurer Aetna in the largest healthcare services deal in history. Cowie also led the antitrust work for the seller on the Evonik/PeroxyChem merger, nominated for "Merger Control Matter of the Year." 

Antitrust partner Rani Habash was named to the shortlist in the "Lawyer of the Year Under 40" category for practitioners under the age of 40 whose "superior technical skill, practical judgement and excellence in client service" places them "among the very best in the field." Habash helped guide CVS Health in its acquisition of Aetna, led the defense of a global technology company in a civil antitrust investigation which closed without an enforcement action, and co-authored Dechert’s Antitrust Merger Investigation Timing Tracker (DAMITT), the leading source of analysis for U.S. and EU antitrust merger investigation and litigation trends.

Winners in all categories are decided by industry vote. Votes are accepted from corporate email addresses only. Votes for one’s own firm, lawyers or matters are not permitted. To vote, please visit the following site:

GCR Awards 2020

Voting is open until midnight EST on Friday, February 28, 2020.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 26 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.