Britton D. Davis is a counsel in Crowell & Moring's Washington, D.C. office, where he practices in the Antitrust & Competition Group. Britton's practice involves counseling clients on a wide range of antitrust issues, including experience in compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, mergers and acquisitions, conduct investigations, and competitor collaborations. Britton has also represented clients in large multi-district class action antitrust litigation matters. Britton's antitrust experience spans several industries, including technology, media and telecommunications, hospitality, retail and consumer products, healthcare, aerospace, energy/natural resources, chemicals, and transportation. Britton represents clients before the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and numerous international competition agencies.
Britton's recent merger experience includes:
- Representation of AT&T in its acquisitions of Time Warner, DIRECTV, Leap Wireless, its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA, as well as various purchases of wireless spectrum.
- Representing United Technologies in connection with its $135 billion merger with The Raytheon Company, which The Deal named its 2020 "Deal of the Year," its $30 billion acquisition of Rockwell Collins, and its $16.5 billion acquisition of Goodrich.
- Representation of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. in securing antitrust approval in multiple jurisdictions for the divestiture of its Neoprene polychloroprene and glass laminates business lines, as well as numerous other transactions.
- Representation of TransCanada Pipeline Corporation in its acquisition of Columbia Pipeline Group.
- Representation of Flowers Foods, Inc. in its acquisition of Hostess bread brands and assets.
- Representation of Coventry Health Care, Inc. in its acquisition by Aetna Inc.
- Representation of Veolia Environnement SA in its sale of Veolia ES Solid Waste Inc. to Star Atlantic Waste Holdings LP.
- Representation of Liquid Environmental Solutions, one of the largest non-hazardous U.S. wastewater collection, processing, and disposal companies, in its acquisition by Audax Group, a Boston-based private equity group.
Britton’s recent investigation, counseling, and litigation experience includes:
- Representation of an international airline in a class action litigation involving alleged multi-billion dollar pricing and capacity collusion.
- Representation of a global hospitality company in a class action litigation involving an alleged conspiracy to eliminate competition for branded keyword search advertising.
- Counseling clients on premerger notification compliance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act and international merger control regimes, including advising clients on clearance strategy and efforts.
- Representation of a major wireless telecommunications company in connection with an investigation by the Department of Justice into alleged violations of Section I of the Sherman Act.
- Counseling a variety of clients regarding potential antitrust liability associated with horizontal and vertical conduct.
- Conducting antitrust compliance auditing and training for clients in the United States and abroad.
- Representation of a Class I freight railroad in multi-district class action litigation alleging a price-fixing conspiracy related to fuel surcharges.
- Representation of a health insurer in DOJ investigation of alleged anticompetitive practices.
Britton also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing clients in asylum matters before United States Citizenship & Immigration Services. Britton was also recently trial counsel in NAACP v. Alabama, 2:16-cv-00731 (M.D. AL), seeking to apply Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1964 to the dilution of African-American votes in state-wide elections for the Alabama Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals. Britton co-chairs the Crowell & Moring LGBT Affinity Group and is also active on the recruiting and summer committees at Crowell & Moring.
Britton has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star" in mergers and acquisitions.
Britton received his J.D., cum laude, from Boston College Law School in 2011. While at Boston College, he served as the executive note editor of the Boston College International & Comparative Law Review. Britton graduated from the University of Virginia in 1999, earning his B.A. in foreign affairs and is a board member of the Serpentine Society alumni organization for the university.
Previously, Britton worked in revenue management for Marriott International.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: District of Columbia, Maryland
Highlights, News & Knowledge
Publications
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"United States," Digital Competition 2021, Lexology Getting the Deal Through
(2020).
Authors: Britton D. Davis, Alexis J. Gilman, Lisa Kimmel, Angel Prado, Jeane A. Thomas, and Drake Morgan.
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"Competition Compliance," Getting the Deal Through
(March 10, 2020).
Authors: Olivier N. Antoine, Britton D. Davis, and Robert B. McNary.
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"Competition Compliance in the USA," Lexology Getting the Deal Through
(April 18, 2019).
Authors: Britton D. Davis, Olivier N. Antoine, and Robert B. McNary.
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"Competition Compliance," Getting the Deal Through
(July 1, 2018).
Authors: Britton D. Davis, Olivier N. Antoine, and Robert B. McNary.
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"Competition Compliance," Getting the Deal Through
(June 30, 2017).
Authors: Britton D. Davis, Olivier N. Antoine, and Robert B. McNary.
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"Annual Review of Antitrust Law Developments," ABA Section of Antitrust Law
(2014).
Contributor: Britton D. Davis.
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"With Remedies Agreed, We Can Close Our Deal, Right?" Competition Law360
(October 12, 2012).
Co-Authors: Robert A. Lipstein, Michael G. Van Arsdall, and Britton D. Davis.
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"An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure, Playing Smart and Avoiding Stupid Mistakes at Trade Association Meetings," IceWorld Journal, Vol. 14, Issue 2
(Second Quarter 2012).
Co-Authors: Daniel A. Sasse and Britton D. Davis.
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"Lifting the Veil: France's New Crusade," Boston College International & Comparative Law Review, Vol. 34, No. 1
(Winter 2011).
Author: Britton D. Davis.
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"China's Anti-Monopoly Law: Protectionism or a Great Leap Forward?" Boston College International & Comparative Law Review, Vol. 33, No. 2
(Spring 2010).
Author: Britton D. Davis.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"The Second Circuit Tells the FTC to Check Its Proscription on 1-800 Contacts,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(June 21, 2021).
Contacts: Britton D. Davis, Matt Gauthier
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"Early Termination of Merger Reviews "Temporarily" Suspended,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(February 4, 2021).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis, Ashley (Lee) McMahon, Kate M. Watkins
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"FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds,"
Administrative Law Alert
(February 2, 2021).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis, Connor Ahearn, Ashley (Lee) McMahon, Kate M. Watkins
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"On the Rocks No More: FTC Approves $1 Billion Deal Between Low-Price Liquor Rivals With Unusual Remedy,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 7, 2021).
Contacts: Alexis J. Gilman, Olivier N. Antoine, Britton D. Davis, Kate M. Watkins
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"Antitrust Agencies Launch Vertical Merger Guidelines, Still Fall Flat with Two FTC Commissioners,"
Regulatory Alert
(July 1, 2020).
Contacts: Alexis J. Gilman, Britton D. Davis, Olivier N. Antoine, Juan A. Arteaga, Shawn R. Johnson, Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E, Ryan C. Tisch
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"FTC Announces Resumption of Early Termination for HSR Filings,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(March 30, 2020).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis, Connor Ahearn, Kate M. Watkins
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"FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 28, 2020).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis, Kate M. Watkins, Connor Ahearn
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"FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(February 19, 2019).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis, Kate M. Watkins, Connor Ahearn
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"Not So Fast: New FTC Guidance Means More Hospital Mergers Will Require HSR Filings Before Closing,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(November 1, 2018).
Contacts: Alexis J. Gilman, Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis, Connor Ahearn
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"FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 26, 2018).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis, Kate M. Watkins
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"Department of Justice Settles Gun Jumping Allegations Against Duke Energy,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 20, 2017).
Contact: Britton D. Davis
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"FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 20, 2017).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis
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"DOJ Suit Highlights Agencies’ Narrow Interpretation of HSR “Investment Only” Exemption,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(April 14, 2016).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis
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"FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 21, 2016).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis
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"FTC Announces New HSR and Section 8 Thresholds,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 15, 2015).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis
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"FTC Finalizes New HSR Rules for Transfer of Pharmaceutical Industry Patent Rights,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(November 11, 2013).
Contacts: Shawn R. Johnson, Britton D. Davis
Media Mentions
Firm News & Announcements