Michael G. Van Arsdall is a senior counsel in the firm's Antitrust Group and a member of the firm's e-discovery steering committee. Michael's practice involves antitrust counseling on a wide variety of subjects, with particular focus on transactional antitrust matters such as mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. He has guided numerous transactions through the U.S. and foreign antitrust/competition review process. Michael has experience in some of the largest and most significant transactions in aerospace, telecommunications, and online advertising industries. In addition, Michael works with trade associations on a number of issues, including information exchange programs, standards setting, and membership issues.
Michael also regularly advises clients in connection with civil non-merger investigations. Michael has represented clients before the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the European Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Defense, and many state attorneys general. Representative matters include:
- United Technologies’ $30 billion acquisition of Rockwell Collins.
- AT&T's $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner, Inc., and its $67 billion acquisition of DIRECTV.
- Humana’s proposed $37 billion merger with Aetna.
- Alcoa's $2.85 billion acquisition of Firth Rixson and the $1.5 billion acquisition of RTI International Metals.
- AT&T's $67 billion proposed acquisition of DIRECTV, and its recently completed purchase of LEAP Wireless
- United Technologies $16 billion acquisition of Goodrich Aerospace.
- AT&T's $950 million sale of its Yellow Pages business to Cerberus.
- AT&T acquisition of Centennial Wireless and proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA.
- AT&T's $89 billion acquisition of BellSouth.
- Rio Tinto sale of Wyoming mining operation to Arch Minerals.
- Reed Elsevier's $4.1 billion acquisition of ChoicePoint.
- Third party representations in multiple DOJ and FTC investigations of online advertising transactions.
- Purchasing joint ventures for industrial clients.
- SBC Communications Inc.'s $16 billion acquisition of AT&T.
- SBC Communications Inc.'s $41 billion acquisition by Cingular Wireless of AT&T Wireless.
- Defending an FTC investigation of a merger in the mining industry.
- Litigating a dealer termination lawsuit for a major musical instrument manufacturer.
- Representing a major industrial fastener company before the FTC and European Commission in connection with an acquisition.
Michael also works extensively and has lectured in the field of e-discovery. He counsels clients on best practices in the areas of document retention, collection, discovery, and production. Michael has experience with the latest software solutions, technology assisted review (TAR), and developments in this exploding field. Michael has handled all facets of complying with some of the largest second requests at both the DOJ and FTC.
Michael graduated from the Catholic University School of Law in 1999, where he was a note & comment editor for the Catholic University Law Review, and won the award for Best Student Article for his comment, Enforcing the Enforcement Clause: City of Boerne v. Flores Chips Away at Congressional Power, 48 Cath. U. L. Rev. 249 (1998). He is admitted in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and before the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: District of Columbia, Virginia (inactive), U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Highlights, News & Knowledge
Speeches & Presentations
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"What the Heck, Write a Check: Managing Discovery Costs," ABA - 63rd Antitrust Law Spring Meeting, Washington, DC
(April 15, 2015).
Presenter: Michael G. Van Arsdall.
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"Trade and Professional Associations: Lessons from the Agencies' Real Estate Brokers' Cases," ABA Antitrust Section, Federal Civil Enforcement Committee, Computer Industry & Internet Committee and Trade Associations Committee
(January 2007).
Speaker: Michael G. Van Arsdall.
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"Meeting the Challenges of E-Discovery and Digital Information Management," Crowell & Moring
(October 2006).
Speaker: Michael G. Van Arsdall.
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"E-Discovery A-to-Z Workshop," Glasser Legal Works Seminars & Kroll Ontrack
(May 2005).
Speaker: Michael G. Van Arsdall.
Publications
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"2015 Antitrust M&A Year in Review," Crowell & Moring LLP
(January 2016).
Co-Authors: Wm. Randolph Smith, Olivier N. Antoine, Sean-Paul Brankin, Dr. Salomé Cisnal de Ugarte, Thomas De Meese, Shawn R. Johnson, Lisa Kimmel, Arthur N. Lerner, Mary Anne Mason, Joseph M. Miller, Jeane A. Thomas, Ryan C. Tisch, and Michael G. Van Arsdall.
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"Navigating the System: Here Are Tips on How to Best Handle Market Manipulation Enforcement," Energy Executive Magazine
(Fall 2014).
Co-Authors: Mary Anne Mason and Michael G. Van Arsdall.
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"Data Law Trends & Developments: E-Discovery, Privacy, Cybersecurity & Information Governance," a Crowell & Moring LLP publication
(June 2014).
Contributors.
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"The Evolving Role of Competitors in Merger Review," Law360
(March 12, 2014).
Co-Authors: Michael G. Van Arsdall and Matthew J. Piehl.
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"Conduct Remedies: A Major Change In DOJ Merger Cases," Law360
(October 4, 2012).
Co-Authors: Wm. Randolph Smith, Robert A. Lipstein, Michael G. Van Arsdall, and Timothy (Ty) Carson.
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"Antitrust Enforcement Hits Private Equity," Competition Law360
(March 14, 2007).
Author: Michael G. Van Arsdall.
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"Trade Associations and Other Information Exchange Programmes in the US: What Enforcers Prohibit, What They Require," Global Competition Review of the Americas
(October 2006).
Co-Authors: Wm. Randolph Smith, Christopher E. Ondeck and Michael G. Van Arsdall.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Consummated-Merger Challenge by Private Party Results in First Ever Divestiture,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(October 15, 2018).
Contacts: Alexis J. Gilman, Olivier N. Antoine, Juan A. Arteaga, Shawn R. Johnson, Joseph M. Miller, Wm. Randolph Smith, Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E, Ryan C. Tisch, Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"Reform of DOJ’s Merger-Review Process: AAG Delrahim Announces Changes Aiming to Complete Most Merger Investigations Within Six Months,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(September 27, 2018).
Contacts: Michael G. Van Arsdall, Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E, Wm. Randolph Smith, Ryan C. Tisch, Shawn R. Johnson, Olivier N. Antoine, Joseph M. Miller, Juan A. Arteaga, Alexis J. Gilman
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"FTC Notices Proposed Changes To HSR Form,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(August 17, 2010).
Contacts: Robert A. Lipstein, Michael G. Van Arsdall, Shawn R. Johnson
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"FTC Settles Charges That Intel Violated Section 5 of the FTC Act,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(August 4, 2010).
Contacts: Robert A. Lipstein, Michael G. Van Arsdall, Robert B. McNary
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"Proposed FTC Final Interim Rules Regarding Adjudicatory Proceedings,"
Electronic Discovery & Information Management Alert
(January 16, 2009).
Contacts: Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E, Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"Justice Department Requires Verizon to Divest Assets to Acquire Alltel,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(October 31, 2008).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"Justice Department Approves Delta-Northwest Merger,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(October 31, 2008).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"McCormick Agrees to Divest Seasoned-Salt Business,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(August 4, 2008).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"House Passes Bill Authorizing Antitrust Suits Against OPEC,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(May 22, 2008).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"EU Antitrust Regulators Raid Intel's Germany Offices,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(February 13, 2008).
Contacts: Michael G. Van Arsdall, Chahira Solh
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"E.U. Starts In-Depth Investigation Into Google/DoubleClick Deal,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(November 15, 2007).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"Companies to Divest Newsprint Mill in Arizona to Preserve Competition,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(October 25, 2007).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"Belgium Unveils New Leniency Guidelines,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(October 24, 2007).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"Judge Tosses Antitrust Case Against Netflix,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(October 23, 2007).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"British Airways and Korean Airlines agree to pay more than $300 million each in deal with Antitrust Division,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(August 3, 2007).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"EU Brings Antitrust Claims Against Utilities,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(July 30, 2007).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
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"EU Sends Letters Alleging Banana Conspiracy,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(July 25, 2007).
Contact: Michael G. Van Arsdall
In the News
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