ABA 2026 Antitrust Spring Meeting
The annual 'ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting' in Washington, DC, is one of the largest gatherings of competition, consumer protection, and data privacy professionals globally. Hausfeld looks forward to exchanging perspectives on legal developments in these areas with fellow lawyers, academics, economists, enforcers, journalists, and students from around the world.
Four of our attorneys will speak on panels addressing a wide range of topics on March 24 and March 25:
March 24: 8:00am – 5:00pm: Scott Martin will co-chair the “Antitrust Trial Training Academy.”
“Develop and sharpen your trial skills by training in a small group setting with federal trial judges and experienced antitrust trial litigators for a full day. Every participant will have one federal trial judge and one senior litigator assigned as a trainer/mentor during the simulated trial day. Prior to the full day training, all participants will be able to attend two (90 minute) trial skills webinars presented by federal judges and experienced trial attorneys.”
March 25: 9:00am – 10:15am: Scott Martin will moderate the “Enforcers Update: Cartels” panel.
“Cartels that once were tied to whiteboards and smoke-filled rooms have embraced algorithms, artificial intelligence and new, secure communications. Leniency's perceived value has fallen as a global marketplace has rendered it more complex. Hear first-hand from the world's leading competition enforcers how they are meeting the challenges of detecting and deterring collusion, 2026-style.”
March 25: 10:45am – noon: Melinda R. Coolidge will moderate the panel discussion “Cartel Enforcement in a New World Order”
“Will the new world order impact cartel enforcement? Are we on a path to divergence? Will more export cartels be allowed in response to U.S. tariffs? Will absent or diminished US policy leadership hurt convergence? Will whistleblower payments undermine the global leniency system? Will questions about DOJ independence hurt cooperation? Will divergence and silos increase as alliances are questioned?”
March 25: 10:45am – noon: Megan E. Jones will moderate the “Views from the Bench” panel.
Hear from distinguished judges on the evolving landscape of competition litigation in federal court. Drawing on their experience handling complex antitrust matters, the panelists will offer practical insights into the issues most frequently shaping modern antitrust practice. This session offers a valuable opportunity to hear from the bench about navigating antitrust litigation effectively.”
March 25: 3:30pm – 5:00pm: Yixi (Cecilia) Cheng will speak on the “Hybrid Relationships: Cartel or Collaboration?” panel.
“Analyzing an agreement between parties that have both vertical and horizontal relationships presents a thorny challenge for courts and antitrust practitioners. What pushes an agreement across the line from being a legitimate collaborative arrangement to a Section 1 violation? Panelists will discuss recent cases, enforcement trends, and tips for counseling clients in this complex area.”
The ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting is a global event bringing together competition, consumer protection, and data privacy professionals. The meeting is attended by thought leaders from over 70 nations and over 3,500+ delegates.
Practical arrangements
The three-day program will take place in Washington, DC at the Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001.
