Companies that operate internationally need robust competition compliance programs with a global emphasis. One of the leading antitrust practices in the world, Latham’s team provides clients with international competition law advice and comprehensive training programs.
Latham’s antitrust lawyers have worked previously as in-house counsel for leading multinational companies and as enforcement officials in the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice and the US Federal Trade Commission. As a result, the firm’s lawyers are well positioned to advise clients about the risks associated with their existing business policies, and to suggest steps that may dramatically reduce those risks.
Comprehensive Expertise
Latham’s antitrust lawyers develop and help clients implement effective global compliance programs to improve risk management and reduce violations while simultaneously building infrastructure to monitor and detect compliance failures.
Latham counsels clients through all phases of compliance programs, including:
- Risk assessment
- Antitrust and competition policy development
- Program design and implementation
- Monitoring and detection
- Employee training and education
- Program evaluation and modification
Individually Tailored Compliance Programs
When developing a compliance program individually tailored to the client’s needs, the team meets with and interviews key employees to understand the client’s:
- Existing business partnering arrangements
- Interactions and communications with competitors, such as participation in industry trade shows, trade associations or standard-setting organizations
- Interactions with customers or suppliers that implicate antitrust and competition law issues
- Plans for potential mergers, joint ventures or alliances
- Pricing and distribution practices and strategies
Educating Employees
Employee education and training is critical to developing a culture of compliance that diminishes the risk of antitrust violation. Latham lawyers design and implement employee education programs, which includes conducting in-person presentations, preparing and reviewing content for online antitrust and competition law courseware, and coordinating the delivery of face-to-face education programs via webinars.
Compliance Monitoring
Latham counsels clients regarding tools for monitoring, detecting and enforcing antitrust and compliance policies, including the use of hotlines and other mechanisms for reporting potential violations. The firm conducts antitrust and competition compliance audits, leveraging its internal investigation expertise in cartel and other government investigations to produce recommendations for improving a client’s compliance program.
General Compliance Counseling
Latham lawyers work with clients as they periodically reassess their compliance programs. The firm advises clients contemplating a significant change in their pricing policies, distribution systems or relationships with a major customer or supplier, as well as the impact of deregulation on their antitrust compliance risk.