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Bob Cooper's extensive experience includes representing clients in complex commercial litigation and governmental investigations, conducting internal investigations, and counseling global companies on their most challenging and significant business issues. His particular expertise in antitrust and competition matters leads clients to seek his judgment and strategic advice on mergers, acquisitions and other business transactions. Bob also regularly advises clients on dealings with competitors, suppliers and customers.
Bob has represented clients in a wide variety of industries, including airlines, agribusiness, banking, biotechnology, healthcare, health insurance, healthcare technology, insurance/reinsurance, Internet, payment systems, private equity, sports media and telecommunications. He has served as lead counsel or co-lead counsel before a number of federal and state courts, in arbitration proceedings and mediations, and before the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission and numerous state Attorneys General.
Credentials
J.D., Emory University School of Law, with distinction
B.A., Columbia University
District of Columbia
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Law Clerk, Hon. William C. O'Kelley, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
American Bar Association
The Economic Club of Washington D.C.
News
In the News · Source: RIA Intel
December 15, 2020
Bob Cooper discusses the Biden Administration’s approach to noncompete and no-poach clauses that are ubiquitous in financial advisory contracts
In the News · Source: American Banker
December 2, 2020
Bob Cooper discusses antitrust enforcement in a wide-ranging interview on the American Banker’s Bankshot podcast
In the News · Source: Global Competition Review
October 30, 2020
Robert Cooper advises Sanford Health on its merger with Intermountain Healthcare
Matters
Lead an internal investigation for a major biotechnology company
Served as lead trial and appellate counsel in the FTC's and North Dakota Attorney General's challenge to Sanford Health's proposed acquisition of a multi-specialty physician practice
Served as co-lead trial counsel in defending a Fortune 100 company in a multi-hundred million-dollar arbitration alleging breach of a technology licensing agreement and tortious interference (no relief awarded to claimants)
See more
Close
Matters
Lead an internal investigation for a major biotechnology company
Served as lead trial and appellate counsel in the FTC's and North Dakota Attorney General's challenge to Sanford Health's proposed acquisition of a multi-specialty physician practice
Served as co-lead trial counsel in defending a Fortune 100 company in a multi-hundred million-dollar arbitration alleging breach of a technology licensing agreement and tortious interference (no relief awarded to claimants)
Lead defense of six companies in litigation alleging breach of licensing agreements and prosecution of antitrust counterclaims (confidential settlement)
Represented American Express in antitrust litigation against Visa and MasterCard in which American Express obtained a record-breaking settlement in excess of $4 billion
Defended American Express against claims by the Department of Justice and various merchants (both a class and opt outs) alleging violations of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act
Defended Delta Air Lines in a lawsuit challenging its merger with Northwest Airlines, and represented Delta in connection with the DOJ’s review of that merger
Obtained antitrust clearance for multiple transactions in the healthcare and airline industries
Represented a global Internet service provider on competition and regulatory issues in the U.S. and Europe, and before the DOJ and FCC in connection with the proposed Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger
Represented a Chinese manufacturer in connection with U.S. antitrust issues associated with the acquisition of a competitor
Represented an integrated health system in connection with competition and related issues
Represented a major healthcare technology company in connection with numerous competition and strategic issues
Represented an international private equity firm in an SEC investigation
Lead an internal investigation for a Bermuda-based reinsurer, and represented the non-executive members of the Board in connection with related governmental investigations
Insights
Client Alert
February 24, 2021
Buyers Beware: An Increased Risk of Private Merger Challenges
Client Alert
January 25, 2021
Not So Special – Securities And Antitrust Regulators May Increase Attention To SPACs In The Coming Year
Client Alert
January 4, 2021
Congress Restores Application of Federal Antitrust Laws to Health Insurers
News
In the News · Source: RIA Intel
December 15, 2020
Bob Cooper discusses the Biden Administration’s approach to noncompete and no-poach clauses that are ubiquitous in financial advisory contracts
In the News · Source: American Banker
December 2, 2020
Bob Cooper discusses antitrust enforcement in a wide-ranging interview on the American Banker’s Bankshot podcast
In the News · Source: Global Competition Review
October 30, 2020
Robert Cooper advises Sanford Health on its merger with Intermountain Healthcare
Matters
Lead an internal investigation for a major biotechnology company
Served as lead trial and appellate counsel in the FTC's and North Dakota Attorney General's challenge to Sanford Health's proposed acquisition of a multi-specialty physician practice
Served as co-lead trial counsel in defending a Fortune 100 company in a multi-hundred million-dollar arbitration alleging breach of a technology licensing agreement and tortious interference (no relief awarded to claimants)
See more
Close
Matters
Lead an internal investigation for a major biotechnology company
Served as lead trial and appellate counsel in the FTC's and North Dakota Attorney General's challenge to Sanford Health's proposed acquisition of a multi-specialty physician practice
Served as co-lead trial counsel in defending a Fortune 100 company in a multi-hundred million-dollar arbitration alleging breach of a technology licensing agreement and tortious interference (no relief awarded to claimants)
Lead defense of six companies in litigation alleging breach of licensing agreements and prosecution of antitrust counterclaims (confidential settlement)
Represented American Express in antitrust litigation against Visa and MasterCard in which American Express obtained a record-breaking settlement in excess of $4 billion
Defended American Express against claims by the Department of Justice and various merchants (both a class and opt outs) alleging violations of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act
Defended Delta Air Lines in a lawsuit challenging its merger with Northwest Airlines, and represented Delta in connection with the DOJ’s review of that merger
Obtained antitrust clearance for multiple transactions in the healthcare and airline industries
Represented a global Internet service provider on competition and regulatory issues in the U.S. and Europe, and before the DOJ and FCC in connection with the proposed Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger
Represented a Chinese manufacturer in connection with U.S. antitrust issues associated with the acquisition of a competitor
Represented an integrated health system in connection with competition and related issues
Represented a major healthcare technology company in connection with numerous competition and strategic issues
Represented an international private equity firm in an SEC investigation
Lead an internal investigation for a Bermuda-based reinsurer, and represented the non-executive members of the Board in connection with related governmental investigations
Insights
Client Alert
February 24, 2021
Buyers Beware: An Increased Risk of Private Merger Challenges
Client Alert
January 25, 2021
Not So Special – Securities And Antitrust Regulators May Increase Attention To SPACs In The Coming Year
Client Alert
January 4, 2021
Congress Restores Application of Federal Antitrust Laws to Health Insurers
News
In the News · Source: RIA Intel
December 15, 2020
Bob Cooper discusses the Biden Administration’s approach to noncompete and no-poach clauses that are ubiquitous in financial advisory contracts
In the News · Source: American Banker
December 2, 2020
Bob Cooper discusses antitrust enforcement in a wide-ranging interview on the American Banker’s Bankshot podcast
In the News · Source: Global Competition Review
October 30, 2020
Robert Cooper advises Sanford Health on its merger with Intermountain Healthcare
Credentials
J.D., Emory University School of Law, with distinction
B.A., Columbia University
District of Columbia
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Law Clerk, Hon. William C. O'Kelley, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
American Bar Association
The Economic Club of Washington D.C.