Connor Ahearn
Areas of Focus
Overview
Connor Ahearn is a senior counsel in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office and is a member of the firm’s Antitrust and Competition Group. Connor’s practice involves counseling clients on a wide range of antitrust issues, including compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, identifying and coordinating foreign merger control filings, and evaluating and advising on competitive issues associate with mergers, acquisitions, and competitor collaborations.
Career & Education
- College of William & Mary, B.A., cum laude, 2010
- University of Virginia, J.D., 2017
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
Connor's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.13.26
On October 1, 2026, Judge Brian M. Cogan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York denied NYP’s motion to dismiss a consolidated antitrust complaint brought by three self-funded union health plans. The ruling is significant for two reasons. First, it demonstrates that plaintiffs can successfully allege market power against hospital systems even in the absence of traditionally high market shares. Second, the court’s reasoning closely tracks the arguments advanced by the DOJ in its Statement of Interest filed in the case: that market power need not be established through market share alone and can be shown through direct evidence such as supracompetitive pricing, and that exclusionary conduct and rival foreclosure are not required elements of a Section 1 claim. The recent decision validates the government’s legal theories and could enhance the viability of the DOJ’s parallel action against NYP, which is currently proceeding in the Southern District of New York.
Firm News | 5 min read | 08.20.26
Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.24.26
Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.20.26
Representative Matters
- Representing DIRECTV as antitrust counsel in its proposed acquisition of the DISH video distribution business from EchoStar, including leading the merger review process before DOJ and providing strategic counsel and advice in connection with the transaction.
- 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.
- Advising DuPont De Nemours on international merger control notification obligations.
- Representing Gwinnett Health System in its merger with Northside Hospital.
- Representing United Technologies in its $30 billion acquisition of Rockwell Collins.
Connor's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.13.26
On October 1, 2026, Judge Brian M. Cogan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York denied NYP’s motion to dismiss a consolidated antitrust complaint brought by three self-funded union health plans. The ruling is significant for two reasons. First, it demonstrates that plaintiffs can successfully allege market power against hospital systems even in the absence of traditionally high market shares. Second, the court’s reasoning closely tracks the arguments advanced by the DOJ in its Statement of Interest filed in the case: that market power need not be established through market share alone and can be shown through direct evidence such as supracompetitive pricing, and that exclusionary conduct and rival foreclosure are not required elements of a Section 1 claim. The recent decision validates the government’s legal theories and could enhance the viability of the DOJ’s parallel action against NYP, which is currently proceeding in the Southern District of New York.
Firm News | 5 min read | 08.20.26
Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.24.26
Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.20.26
Recognition
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America: Antitrust Law and Litigation – Antitrust, Washington, DC, 2026—2027
Connor's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.13.26
On October 1, 2026, Judge Brian M. Cogan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York denied NYP’s motion to dismiss a consolidated antitrust complaint brought by three self-funded union health plans. The ruling is significant for two reasons. First, it demonstrates that plaintiffs can successfully allege market power against hospital systems even in the absence of traditionally high market shares. Second, the court’s reasoning closely tracks the arguments advanced by the DOJ in its Statement of Interest filed in the case: that market power need not be established through market share alone and can be shown through direct evidence such as supracompetitive pricing, and that exclusionary conduct and rival foreclosure are not required elements of a Section 1 claim. The recent decision validates the government’s legal theories and could enhance the viability of the DOJ’s parallel action against NYP, which is currently proceeding in the Southern District of New York.
Firm News | 5 min read | 08.20.26
Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.24.26
Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.20.26
Insights
Connor's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 10.13.26
On October 1, 2026, Judge Brian M. Cogan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York denied NYP’s motion to dismiss a consolidated antitrust complaint brought by three self-funded union health plans. The ruling is significant for two reasons. First, it demonstrates that plaintiffs can successfully allege market power against hospital systems even in the absence of traditionally high market shares. Second, the court’s reasoning closely tracks the arguments advanced by the DOJ in its Statement of Interest filed in the case: that market power need not be established through market share alone and can be shown through direct evidence such as supracompetitive pricing, and that exclusionary conduct and rival foreclosure are not required elements of a Section 1 claim. The recent decision validates the government’s legal theories and could enhance the viability of the DOJ’s parallel action against NYP, which is currently proceeding in the Southern District of New York.
Firm News | 5 min read | 08.20.26
Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.24.26
Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.20.26
