There are many debates in the antitrust world today, but none is as fundamental as the discussion over the core purpose of antitrust. Should antitrust law be solely concerned with economic efficiency, or is it also a tool for upholding and promoting our democratic political values? Spencer Waller, law professor at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and Geoffrey Manne, founder of the International Center for Law and Economics, debate this important question with hosts Sergei Zaslavsky and Melissa Maxman. Listen to this episode to hear competing perspectives on such key issues as the connection between economic and political power, the proper role of different branches of government in shaping antitrust policy, and much more. With special guests: Spencer Waller, John Paul Stevens Chair in Competition Law, Loyola University Chicago School of Law and Geoffrey Manne, Founder and President of International Center for Law and Economics Related Links: Harry First and Spencer Weber Waller, Antitrust’s Democracy Deficit, 81 Fordham L. Rev. 2543 (2013) Antitrust and Democracy by Spencer Weber Waller :: SSRN Geoffrey Manne & Alec Stapp, Does Political Power Follow Economic Power? (Dec. 30, 2019) Hosted by: Sergei Zaslavsky, O'Melveny & Myers and Melissa Maxman, Cohen & Gresser

The 2023 Annual Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section offered the Our Curious Amalgam team a chance to speak with international competition law enforcers from around the world, including Germany and Spain. In this episode, we ask Andreas Mundt, the president of the German Bundeskartellamt and Cani Fernández, the president of the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission, about their enforcement priorities, what trends they see on the horizon, and what advocates with matters before their agencies should do to be most effective. As a bonus, listeners will also get to know our distinguished guests a little better on a personal level. With special guests: Andreas Mundt, President, the Bundeskartellamt and Cani Fernández, President, Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia Related Links: Bundeskartellamt  Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC)  Ep. #177 Who Is Cani Fernández? Meet the President of the Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission  Hosted by: Sergei Zaslavsky, O'Melveny & Myers LLP and Alicia Downey, Downey Law LLC

The 2023 Annual Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section offered the Our Curious Amalgam team a chance to speak with international competition law enforcers from around the world. In this episode--one in a series of episodes featuring interviews recorded live at the 2023 Spring Meeting--host Sergei Zaslavsky speaks with Willard Mwemba, the Director and CEO of the COMESA Competition Commission. Listen to this episode to hear about COMESA's enforcement priorities, what trends Director Mwemba sees on the horizon, and what advocates appearing before the Commission should do to be most effective. Listeners will also hear about COMESA's special challenges and opportunities as the agency enters its second decade. With special guest: Willard Mwemba, Director and Chief Executive Officer, COMESA Related Links: COMESA Competition Commission  Hosted by: Sergei Zaslavsky, O'Melveny & Myers LLP and Alicia Downey, Downey Law LLC

The 2023 Annual Spring Meeting of the ABA Antitrust Law Section offered the Our Curious Amalgam team a chance to speak with international competition law enforcers from around the world. What are their enforcement priorities, what trends do they see on the horizon, and what should advocates with matters before their agencies do to be most effective? Discover the answers to these questions in this episode and other episodes in this special series of interviews recorded live at the Spring Meeting. And as a bonus, listeners will also get to know our distinguished guests a little better on a personal level. With special guests: Kristina Nordby, Head of the Board, Greenlandic Consumer and Competition Authority Gegham Gevorgyan, Chairman, Armenian Commission for the Protection of Competition Kārlis Piģēns, Council Member, Competition Council of Latvia Related Links: Greenlandic Consumer and Competition Authority Armenian Competition Protection Commission Competition Council of the Republic of Latvia Hosted by: Matt Michaloski, Kayla Odom, and Alicia Downey

LIV Golf is the most serious threat the PGA has ever faced, and the fight between the two professional golf tours has grown increasingly personal and bitter. But is the PGA defending itself through illegal anticompetitive tactics? Michael McCann, one of the nation's foremost sports law experts and Kail Jethmalani join Anant Raut and Anora Wang to discuss the life of a professional golfer, what makes the LIV tour appealing, and the PGA's history against upstart rivals. Listen to this episode to learn more about the antitrust case between the two tours, and why it may end up in the Supreme Court. With special guests: Professor Michael McCann, Director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute, Franklin Pierce School of Law and Kail Jethmalani, Counsel, Axinn Related Links: LIV Golf and PGA Tour Set for Long Term Courtroom War  Hosted by: Anant Raut and Anora Wang