Kristina concentrates her practice on antitrust and competition matters, such as pre-transaction counseling, merger review, government investigations, and litigation involving private and government antitrust disputes. Drawing on her extensive experience in private practice and as a former staff attorney for the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Kristina works with companies in a variety of industries, including entertainment, health care, energy, steel, defense, transportation, grocery, consumer products, and retail goods.
A significant portion of Kristina’s practice involves representing clients in merger and civil investigations before the US Department of Justice and the FTC. She also regularly counsels clients on antitrust and trade regulation matters involving joint ventures, competitor collaborations, price discrimination, distributor relations, and other competition-related issues. Clients also seek her guidance on consumer protection issues, including in connection with rebate, warranty, gift card, and sweepstakes programs.
Prior to joining Mintz, Kristina served as counsel in the Antitrust and Consumer Protection Practice of an international law firm, where her clients included global and Fortune 100 companies in a broad spectrum of antitrust matters. Earlier, as a staff attorney at the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, Kristina conducted pre-merger investigations, made recommendations on transactions, and served on trial teams. She also previously worked as a financial consultant at an investment management services company.
Kristina concentrates her practice on antitrust and competition matters, such as pre-transaction counseling, merger review, government investigations, and litigation involving private and government antitrust disputes. Drawing on her extensive experience in private practice and as a former staff attorney for the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Kristina works with companies in a variety of industries, including entertainment, health care, energy, steel, defense, transportation, grocery, consumer products, and retail goods.
Experience
- Represented a global supermarket chain in its successful acquisition of grocery assets, obtaining FTC clearance with no agency action.
- Advised a music corporation in its acquisition of another company’s recorded music business, obtaining FTC clearance without requirements for divestitures or other remedies.
- Represented a medical and surgical equipment distributor in its acquisition of the medical and surgical supply unit of a diversified health care services company.
- Responded to a civil investigative demand issued by the Maryland Attorney General regarding scientific substantiation for products sold by a major consumer health products company.
- Defended a major consumer electronics company before the National Advertising Division in connection with false advertising claims brought by a competitor.
- Counseled a major airline in its successful acquisition of a peer airline, obtaining DOJ clearance without requirements for divestitures or other remedies.
- Coordinated a client’s business team, economic experts, and buyer’s counsel to achieve FTC clearance for a valve manufacturer’s sale of its business.
- Aided recipients of a 6(b) Order in their responses to FTC requests for information arising from a study of supply chain disruptions and managed data collection and review process incorporating AI training.
- Defended a leading insurance company in antitrust actions brought in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by the DOJ, the Michigan Attorney General, and numerous private plaintiffs challenging “most favored nation clauses” in health care provider contracts as unreasonable restraints of trade under Sherman Act Section 1. The action was ultimately dismissed by the DOJ.
- Defended a major insurance company sued by a surgical specialty hospital in the District of Kansas for alleged Sherman Act Section 1 conspiracy with multiple hospitals and managed care companies, ultimately obtaining a favorable settlement.
viewpoints
Federal Trade Commission Finalizes HSR Changes
October 11, 2024 | Alert | By Bruce Sokler, Robert Kidwell, Kristina Van Horn, Payton Thornton
The new HSR form, instructions, and implementing rules were announced yesterday and are set to take effect 90 days from publication in the Federal Register.
Justice Department Sues Software Maker RealPage for Enabling Rent Collusion
August 26, 2024 | Alert | By Bruce Sokler, Kristina Van Horn
Sporting Events Business Faces $3.5 Million in Antitrust Gun Jumping Penalties
August 7, 2024 | Alert | By Bruce Sokler, Kristina Van Horn
This week, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reached one of its largest “gun jumping” settlements following allegations that sporting and entertainment events company, Legends Hospitality, illegally conducted business with its acquisition target, ASM Global Inc., prior to consummating their transaction.
Publications
- Co-author, New, higher HSR thresholds and filing fees for 2024, Westlaw Today (February 2024)
Kristina concentrates her practice on antitrust and competition matters, such as pre-transaction counseling, merger review, government investigations, and litigation involving private and government antitrust disputes. Drawing on her extensive experience in private practice and as a former staff attorney for the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Kristina works with companies in a variety of industries, including entertainment, health care, energy, steel, defense, transportation, grocery, consumer products, and retail goods.
Involvement
- Member, Antitrust Law Section, American Bar Association
- Member, Health Law Section, American Bar Association
Recent Insights
Federal Trade Commission Finalizes HSR Changes
October 11, 2024| Alert|
Justice Department Sues Software Maker RealPage for Enabling Rent Collusion
August 26, 2024| Alert|