Brian R. Meiners

• Recent Matters
• Representing Cogentrix in a DOJ second request investigation concerning its acquisition by Vistra Corp. in a transaction valued at greater than $4 billion that will create one of the largest electric power generators in the United States.
• Representing a leading U.S. paper manufacturer and supplier in connection with an antitrust grand jury investigation into allegations of collusion involving pricing for certain paper products in the United States.
• Represented Cantaloupe, Inc. in a FTC second request investigation into its $848 million sale to 365 Retail Markets, LLC, which combined the two largest providers of micromarket kiosks and related software and services in the United States and culminated in the negotiation of a consent order that paired a structural divestiture of Cantaloupe’s Three Square Market business to Seaga Manufacturing.
• Representing a senior executive of a manufacturer and distributor of construction products in connection with a criminal price fixing investigation and related civil proceedings.
• Antitrust Counseling
• Advises clients on antitrust issues arising from everyday business practices, including compliance and audits, competitor collaborations, exclusivity and foreclosure, resale price maintenance, refusals to deal, and tying/bundling issues.
• Obtained HSR clearances for hundreds of transactions.
• Other Representative Experience
• Energy:
• Represented Transocean Ltd. in connection with its $2.7 billion acquisition of Ocean Rig UDW, Inc. in the offshore oil and gas drilling sector and successfully obtained antitrust clearances in several jurisdictions around the world.
• Successfully defended Mirant Corporation in a DOJ Second Request investigation of its merger with RRI Energy, creating one of the largest independent power producers in the United States.
• Successfully defended Varel International Energy Services, Inc. in an investigation by the DOJ Antitrust Division and several foreign competition agencies in connection with its acquisition by Sandvik AB.
• Successfully defended Weatherford International Ltd. in an investigation by the DOJ Antitrust Division and several foreign competition agencies in connection with the acquisition of its pipeline and specialty services business by Baker Hughes Incorpora
• Successfully defended Edison Chouest Offshore in a DOJ Antitrust Division investigation of its acquisition of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. in the petroleum offshore services industry.
• Cartel Investigations and Criminal Litigation:
• Represented a senior executive of an international capacitors manufacturer as lead counsel in connection with a multi-jurisdictional cartel investigation and related civil proceedings.
• Represented senior executives of multiple international auto parts manufacturers in connection with a multi-jurisdictional cartel investigation in that industry.
• Represented the chief executive officer of an international TFT-LCD manufacturer in connection with a multi-jurisdictional cartel investigation and related civil proceedings.
• Represented a senior sales and marketing executive of an international freight consolidator in connection with a multi-jurisdictional cartel investigation and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation.
• Represented a global energy and petroleum company in an international arbitration involving antitrust and breach of contract claims related to LNG production and distribution.
• Healthcare/Life Sciences:
• Successfully defended Piedmont Healthcare, Inc. in a FTC merger investigation of Piedmont’s acquisition of a rival hospital system.
• Defended a physician member network in a FTC investigation of pricing practices.
• Defended a major pharmaceutical company in a jury trial in United States District Court for the District of Columbia involving antitrust claims arising from exclusive pharmaceutical supply agreements.
• Represented a leading global branded pharmaceutical company in a DOJ antitrust investigation of a proposed patent settlement with a generic drug company and the use of authorized generics.
• Civil Antitrust Litigation:
• Obtained dismissal for a leading national pharmaceutical company in multi-district class action antitrust litigation in In re Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation.
• Obtained dismissal in class action antitrust litigation for the United States Postal Service in TOG, Inc. v. United States Postal Service.
• Obtained dismissal for RLI Insurance Company in multi-district class action antitrust litigation in In re Insurance Brokers Antitrust Litigation.
• Successfully defended Trelleborg AB in an international arbitration involving antitrust and fraud claims arising from a stock purchase agreement.

Brian Meiners focuses his practice on government antitrust investigations that include merger, criminal, and civil matters. A partner in our Antitrust practice, Brian represents clients in some of their most complex matters, including second request merger investigations, transactions requiring regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions, and global cartel investigations. In addition, Brian routinely counsels clients on strategic antitrust issues arising from competitor collaborations, marketing, pricing, distribution practices, and trade association participation. 

Brian was named a “Future Leader” in antitrust law by Global Competition Review in the 2025, 2024, and 2023 publications of Competition Law – Future Leaders.

Brian has also served in various leadership positions in the ABA Antitrust Section, including as Vice Chair of the State Enforcement Committee and Vice Chair of the Long Range and Strategic Planning Committe.

Brian appears regularly before the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission, and he coordinates with foreign counsel in dealing with competition authorities in jurisdictions around the globe.

Recent Presentations and Publications

Memberships

Cartel & Criminal Practice Committee, Antitrust Section, American Bar Association

State Enforcement Committee, Antitrust Section, American Bar Association

Mergers & Acquisitions Committee, Antitrust Section, American Bar Association

American Health Lawyers Association