Covington Wins ‘Merger Control Matter of the Year’ Award

WASHINGTON, DC — Global Competition Review has selected Expedia’s $1.3 billion acquisition of Orbitz Worldwide as its “Merger Control Matter of the Year - Americas” at the GCR Awards 2016. Covington partners Thomas Barnett and Anne Lee served as lead antitrust counsel to Expedia during the transaction.

The acquisition triggered a U.S. Department of Justice investigation that lasted over six months. Travel suppliers, airlines, and rental car companies opposed the transaction, claiming that it would harm competition and lead to higher commissions. DOJ conducted an extensive investigation of the industry and the proposed transaction. The Covington team persuaded DOJ that the acquisition did not pose a threat to competition, and it was cleared without conditions in September 2015.

In addition to this award, Covington was named to GCR’s Global Elite, a list of the top 20 competition practices worldwide, ranking it among the top firms in both Brussels and Washington.