Legal Standards in Excessive Pricing: Reflecting on the Old and Making Sense of the New
2024-12-03 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
This webinar series seeks to explore the Competition Amendment Act (2019)’s introduction of new legal standards applicable for the evaluation of prohibited practices and merges. This webinar focuses on the legal standards applicable to excessive pricing enforcement. Where the Competition Commission of South Africa has had little success at prosecuting excessive pricing cases prior to amendment, since then – combined with the Covid-19 pandemic necessitating the utilization of price gouging under the rubric of excessive prices – South Africa has seen an increase in the number of these cases initiated and a higher rate of prosecutorial success.

Reflexiones Sobre Competencia Economica
2025-02-04 07:30 - 12:00 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
El evento comenzará con una conferencia magistral impartida por William Kovacic, reconocido académico y experto en competencia económica de la Universidad George Washington, quien abordará las claves para el fortalecimiento institucional en materia antimonopolio.
A continuación, se llevarán a cabo dos paneles de discusión que reunirán a especialistas de alto nivel, tanto nacionales como internacionales. El primer panel se enfocará en el diseño institucional de una nueva agencia antimonopolio en México, analizando los desafíos y oportunidades para establecer una entidad efectiva y alineada con las mejores prácticas globales.
El segundo panel abordará las tendencias globales en las agencias de competencia económica, examinando cómo las principales jurisdicciones están adaptando sus estrategias y estructuras ante los cambios tecnológicos y económicos actuales. Estos intercambios buscarán identificar lecciones clave para fortalecer la política de competencia en México y el mundo.

Stakeholder Workshop: Draft Article 102 TFEU Guidelines on Exclusionary Abuses
2025-02-13 12:00 - 23:59 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
On 1 August 2024 the Commission launched a consultation of interested parties to comment on draft Guidelines on exclusionary abuses of dominance. The draft Guidelines aim at reflecting the EU courts’ case law on exclusionary abuses and the Commission’s enforcement practice developed in line with it.
The objectives of the initiative are (1) to provide more clarity to stakeholders on how to apply Article 102 TFEU; (2) to facilitate self-assessment and increase predictability; and (3) to promote a workable effects-based approach to the enforcement of Article 102 TFEU.
In this context, DG Competition is organizing an interactive stakeholder workshop to gather views on different key aspects of the draft Guidelines and discuss the practical implications of their application. Participants will be divided into groups to discuss various topics in eight breakout sessions. The results will be presented and discussed in two plenary sessions.

Miroslava Marinova
Our Senior Fellow Miroslava Marinova is invited to speak at the European Commission’s Stakeholder Workshop to share her views on the reform of Article 102 TFEU.

Workshop Agenda

Regulating Digital Platforms in Brazil: Where We Are
2025-02-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Media and Public Affairs Building, VENUE AND LOCATION TBA SOON, 20052, United States
In light of the recent Ministry of Justice report exploring a potential Digital Markets Act (DMA)-like framework for Brazil, the regulatory landscape for digital platforms is at a critical juncture. This panel will delve into the challenges and opportunities of implementing such regulations, focusing on competition, innovation, and consumer protection in the digital economy.
Key topics of discussion will include:

The current state of platform regulation in Brazil and lessons from global frameworks like the EU’s DMA and the US policy debates.
The economic and legal implications of introducing ex-ante obligations for dominant platforms.
How such regulations could foster innovation while maintaining a competitive marketplace.
Perspectives from policymakers, legal experts, and industry leaders on Brazil’s path toward a robust digital competition policy.

Beyond the Draghi Report: Competition Law in the Age of Industrial Policy
2025-02-28 08:45 - 21:45 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
Competition law and industrial policy both aim to foster economic growth and development, yet their interaction can either complement or conflict with one another. As new challenges emerge, driven by digitalization, sustainable development, and the global economic downturn, the relationship between these policies warrants a thorough review. The Draghi Report calls for a reassessment of competition policy enforcement in light of industrial policy imperatives.
This session will explore how competition and industrial policies intersect, identifying both synergies and tensions in today’s evolving economic landscape. The discussion will highlight the growing need for cooperation between these two policy areas and offer policy recommendations to enhance their productive interaction.

Port Realities in Ecuador and Latin America – A Competition Law Perspective
2025-03-13 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
ABOUT THE EVENT
This workshop aims to foster in-depth discussions on the maritime port sector in Ecuador and Latin America from a competition law perspective. By engaging key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, the event seeks to:
• Analyze the current landscape of the port industry in Ecuador and the region.
• Facilitate dialogue on the challenges and opportunities within the maritime port sector.
• Promote collaboration and the exchange of best practices among industry experts and regulators.

PARTICIPANTS
The event will feature presentations and panel discussions led by distinguished experts from:
• The private sector
• The public sector
• Academia

AGENDA

8h30
Opening Words by Fausto Alvarado

8h45

Philippe Corruble: Professor of European Maritime and Port Law at EM Normandie Business School.

9h45

Panel 1: Regulatory Asymmetry: Theory of Harm
• Santiago Caviedes: Partner at Humboldt Management and Senior Advisor at GBS Finance.
• Santiago Gangotena: Dean of Liberal Arts Professor College of Economics.
• Sebastián Burgos: Consultant at the World Bank.
Moderator: Daniel Robalino (Partner at Robalino Abogados, leader of the Competition Law area).

10h45
Coffee Break

11h05

William Kovacic: Global Competition Professor of Law and Policy; Professor of Law; Director, Competition Law Center.

11h50

Tomás Menchaca: Founding partner at Menchaca & Cia. Lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Expert in Free Competition and Regulated Markets.

12h35

Panel 2: Regulation and Competition: Institutional Objectives
• Xavier Palacios: Senior Associate at Bustamante Fabara, Xavier has significant experience as a litigator in constitutional and public law matters.
• Alberto Brown: Partner at Almeida Guzmán & Asociados Commercial and competition law.
• Alejandro Ibarra: Associate Competition Law Center.
• Eugenia Ocampo: Regulatory Affairs Manager at Algranel.
Moderator: Fausto Alvarado (Member of the GW Competition and Innovation Lab GWU Board of Directors).

13h35

Lunch

14h35

Paulo Maruri: Strategic corporate lawyer with experience in Legaltech, Compliance, Competition, OCDE.

15H20

Panel 3: Public Competition Policy: Comparative Analysis
• Ricardo Michel: Advisor on the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA).
• Luis Berenguer: Senior Advisor at Broseta Abogados, Expert in Competition Law, EU Law, Commercial Law, Litigation and Arbitration.
• Luis Diez Canseco: Dean of the Faculty of Law at Universidad Tecnológica del Perú.
• Alfonso Miranda: Professor of competition law at undergraduate and graduate levels at Universidad Javeriana.
Moderator: Mariana Camacho (Expert in competition law, data privacy, technology, digital economy and litigation involving such matters).

16h20

Presentation of the UNCTAD Ports Report: Juan Luis Crucelegui: Chief capacity building at UNCTAD

17h05

Closing Words by Daniel Robalino

AGENDA

India's Competition & Innovation Forum
2025-03-15 12:00 - 23:59 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
The landscape of competition law and policy in India has evolved significantly since the establishment of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). With the rapid advancement of digital markets, increased global integration, and emerging challenges such as data privacy and artificial intelligence, there is a growing need to reassess the framework of competition law to ensure it meets the demands of the modern economy. To facilitate this discussion, the GW Competition & Innovation Lab of George Washington University is organizing, on March 15, 2025, a conference in New Delhi.
This global forum brings together world-leading antitrust experts and key figures in the Indian antitrust landscape. The conference is a unique opportunity for scholars, practitioners, and regulators to exchange on cutting-edge issues related to Indian competition law and economics. The forum aims at addressing critical issues in the Indian economy related to competition law, digital innovation, and data privacy.
This event will bring together Indian and global stakeholders, including policymakers, legal experts, academics, and industry leaders, to engage in dialogue and share insights on contemporary issues in competition law and policy. Additionally, this initiative supports the Indian government’s Viksit Bharat Goals, which aim to transform India into a developed nation through sustainable growth and innovation.

Brochure

Illuminating the Evolving Contours of Merger Control in Türkiye
2025-04-15 10:00 - 11:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
As Türkiye continues to refine its approach to merger control, businesses and legal practitioners must navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. This expert-led webinar explores key developments shaping merger control enforcement in Türkiye, from sector-specific exceptions to compliance risks and procedural intricacies.

Key Discussion Topics:🔹 Technology Undertaking Exception🔹 Gun-Jumping & Premature Information Sharing🔹 Merger Review Timeline & Tacit Approval
Panelists:
Bahadir Balki, Managing Partner, ACTECON
Tuna Tanik, Principal Associate, Freshfields LLP
Esin Aygun, Turkish Competition Authority (TCA)
Moderator: Hanna Stakheyeva, GWCIL TR Initiative
The session will conclude with a Q&A segment, allowing attendees to engage directly with panelists.

Perspectives for Antitrust in Brazil in 2024
2025-04-18 13:00 - 14:00 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
They say the year only starts after Carnaval in Brazil, but with respect to competition policy, the country has been bustling since way before that. New Commissioners have taken office, new projects are being implemented by CADE, such as e-Notifica and the resolution proposing the establishment of the virtual deliberative circuit. This webinar aims to discuss the perspectives for antitrust in Brazil in 2024, including such initiatives, but also other prominent issues, such as CADE’s agenda and objectives for the year, possible priority sectors, standout cases, among others.

Dizem que o ano so começa depois do Carnaval no Brasil, mas no mundo da defesa da concorrência o pais ja esta agitado desde o inicio do ano. Novos Conselheiros tomaram posse, novos projetos estão sendo implementados pelo CADE, a exemplo do e-Notifica e da resolução que propõe a instituição do circuito deliberativo virtual. Este webinar visa a discutir as perspectivas para a defesa da concorrência no Brasil em 2024, incluindo tais iniciativas, mas também outros assuntos de destaque, tais como a agenda e objetivos do CADE para o ano, possíveis setores prioritários, casos de destaque, dentre outros.

Whistleblowers & Bid Rigging: Safeguarding Fair Competition
2025-04-24 11:00 - 12:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
In an era where competitive markets are vital to economic resilience and innovation, tackling bid-rigging remains a top enforcement priority. Whistleblowers can play a crucial role in exposing collusive behavior—but are they adequately protected?
Join us for a timely and thought-provoking panel exploring how whistleblower mechanisms can serve as powerful tools to uncover and prevent bid-rigging. Hear from a diverse group of leading practitioners, academics, and compliance experts as they discuss practical challenges, legal frameworks, and recent developments in enforcement.
Panel Topics Include:
✔ How whistleblowers can help tackle bid-rigging in procurement and cartel cases✔ Practitioner insights into compliance, enforcement, and real-world challenges✔ Navigating legal protections for whistleblowers in the UK and the EU

Our Distinguished Speakers:

Jonathan Ford | Partner, LinklatersA seasoned antitrust practitioner sharing frontline perspectives on bid-rigging enforcement and corporate compliance strategies.
Donald MacDonald | ConsilioBringing expertise in eDiscovery, compliance, and legal consulting, with a focus on uncovering cartel behavior through digital forensics.
Dr Penny Giosa | University of ReadingAcademic and author, analyzing the EU Whistleblower Directive and its implications for bid-rigging cases—contrasting EU and UK protections.
Dr Diana Johnson | University of BristolOffering academic insights on whistleblower frameworks and the broader legal landscape for safeguarding fair competition.
Becky Ellis | Pinsent MasonsProviding a legal practitioner’s viewpoint on the evolving role of whistleblowers in investigations and litigation.

2nd Annual Antitrust Conference 2025
2025-05-05 08:30 - 16:30 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
Introducing Our Conference

Aurelien Portuese Gives Introductory Remarks

Nick Grimmer Gives Opening Remarks

Presentations at Our Conference

Eric Posner Discusses His Work “The New Labor Antitrust” with Hugh Hollman

Keith Klovers and Jonathan Jacobson Discuss Their Work “The Overlapping Markets Fallacy” with Ed Duffy

Abraham Wickelgren Discusses His Work “Shorting Your Rivals: Negative Ownership as an Antitrust Remedy” with Mehmet Ekmekci

Jaclyn Phillips and Lauren Gorab Discuss Their Work “A Decade of FTC v Actavis” with David Weiskopf

Laura Edelson Discusses Her Work “Captured Innovation: Technology Monopoly Response to Transformational Development” with John Taladay

Gregory J. Werden Discusses His Work “The Competitive Process Standard” with Luis Cabral

Closing Remarks by Lee Greenfield

Agenda

Time
Session

8:30 AM
Registration and Breakfast

9:30 AM
Welcoming RemarksAurelien Portuese – Research Professor and Founding Director, GW Competition & Innovation Lab, The George Washington University

9:45 AM
Opening RemarksNick Grimmer – Managing Editor, Antitrust Law Journal

10:00 AM

“The New Labor Antitrust” Eric Posner – Kirkland and Ellis Distinguished Service Professor of Law, University of Chicago

Discussant: Hugh Hollman, Partner, Baker Botts

10:30 AM

“The Overlapping Markets Fallacy”

Keith Klovers – Counsel, Latham & Watkins
Jonathan Jacobson – Partner Emeritus, Wilson Sonsini
Discussant: Ed Duffy – Partner, Baker Botts

11:30 AM

“Shorting Your Rivals: Negative Ownership as an Antitrust Remedy”

Abraham Wickelgren – Fred and Emily Marshall Wulff Centennial Chair in Law at the University of Texas at Austin
Discussant: Mehmet Ekmekci – Senior Consultant, Compass Lexecon; Professor of Economics, Boston College

12:00 PM

“A Decade of FTC V. Actavis: The Reverse Payment Framework is Older, but are Courts Wiser in Applying It?”

Jaclyn Phillips – Partner, White & Case
Lauren Gorab – Law Clerk, White & Case

Discussant: David Weiskopf – Executive Vice President, Compass Lexecon; Adjunct Economics Professor, University of Cincinnati

12:30 PM
Lunch Break

2:00 PM

Keynote Address and Fireside Chat

Mark Meador – FTC Commissioner
Aurelien Portuese

2:30 PM

“Captured Innovation: Technology Monopoly Response to Transformational Development”
Laura Edelson – Assistant Professor, Northeastern University
Discussant: John Taladay – Partner, Baker Botts

3:00 PM

“The Competitive Process Standard”
Gregory J. Werden – Former Senior Economic Counsel at the Antitrust Division of the DOJ
Discussant: Luis Cabral – Senior Consultant, Compass Lexecon; Professor of Economics, NYU

3:30 PM

Closing Remarks
Lee Greenfield – Chair of the Antitrust Law Journal; Partner, WilmerHale

4:00 PM
Networking Time

Interoperability: U.S. and European Perspectives Compared
2025-05-15 09:30 - 10:30 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
Interoperability has become a cornerstone of digital competition policy, particularly in addressing the power of gatekeepers and dominant platforms. This panel brings together leading legal scholars and policy experts to explore how interoperability is defined, implemented, and enforced across the EU and U.S. systems. Panelists will examine technical foundations—such as APIs and standard-setting—as well as the legal frameworks that support or hinder interoperability obligations.
We will delve into the role of interoperability as both an ex ante regulatory tool, as seen in the EU’s Digital Markets Act, and an ex post remedy under traditional antitrust enforcement, including recent developments such as the Apple and Google Android Auto cases.
The discussion will contrast this with the U.S. approach, where interoperability mandates have primarily emerged from litigation and proposed legislative efforts like the American Innovation and Choice Online Act.
Panelists will also address key challenges—including privacy, security, and intellectual property concerns—and discuss whether these are valid exceptions or strategic pretexts for non-compliance. The session will offer a nuanced, comparative view on whether interoperability is best pursued through regulation, competition enforcement, or a hybrid approach.

Análisis del Dictamen Preliminar de la COFECE sobre el Mercado de Comercio Electrónico en México
2025-05-16 08:00 - 2026-05-16 09:00 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
Analysis of Mexico’s Federal Commission of Economic Competition’s (COFECE) Preliminary Report on the Retail E-Commerce Market in Mexico

La Autoridad Investigadora de la Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica de México (COFECE) publicó, a principios de este año, un Dictamen Preliminar sobre sus hallazgos tras el análisis de potenciales barreras de entrada a la libre competencia en el mercado minorista de comercio electrónico. Esta investigación se basa en el artículo 94 de la Ley Federal de Competencia Económica de México, que permite imponer medidas regulatorias para abordar problemas estructurales sin imponer sanciones económicas a los agentes.
Le extendemos una cordial invitación a asistir a este panel en el que se analizará exhaustivamente estos hallazgos, las medidas sugeridas por la Autoridad Investigadora y el proceso mediante el cual México puede imponer este tipo de medidas.
Consulta el folleto arriba para obtener más información. Puedes inscribirte al evento online en el siguiente enlace: https://lnkd.in/eKVCjd83. Los esperamos.

Competition Leniency Programs in the Andean Region
2025-05-23 10:00 - 13:00 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
The George Washington University’s Competition & Innovation Lab invites you to a timely and high-level roundtable exploring the evolution, challenges, and future of leniency programs in the Andean region. With a growing need for transparent and robust competition frameworks to foster trade and investment, this event brings together key stakeholders from international organizations, government, academia, and the private sector. This in-depth discussion will assess how the Andean Community’s competition laws and institutions can be reformed to enhance legal certainty, uphold due process, and promote investor confidence. Particular attention will be paid to the implementation of leniency programs and the ongoing debate surrounding Decision 608 — a cornerstone of the CAN competition framework.

AGENDA

Frederic Jenny, Co-Director of the GW Competition & Innovation Lab,
delivered opening remarks:

Frederic Jenny Opening Remarks

GW Competition & Innovation Lab’s Academic Opinion:

Academic Opinion

Competition Policy in Digital Markets
2025-05-27 09:00 - 10:00 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
Should Brazil lead or follow others’ paths?
Much has been discussed about the impacts that digital platforms generate in markets. On the one hand, they bring various innovative products and services to consumers. On the other hand, some of their business practices may raise antitrust concerns, notably by preventing new players from entering, competing and innovating in the market.
In this context, this webinar aims to discuss how Brazil fits into this debate. The existing regulatory proposals for the sector in Brazil and worldwide will be addressed, including Bill No. 2768, the Ministry of Finance’s consultations, the risks and benefits of adopting ex ante regulation compared to other forms of intervention. and the perspectives of CADE for the sector.

*event in Portuguese, with English subtitles available (click on the “Settings” button above and select “Auto-translate”).
Muito sem sido discutido sobre os impactos que as plataformas digitais geram nos mercados. De um lado, elas trazem diversos produtos e serviços inovadores aos consumidores. Por outro lado, algumas de suas práticas comerciais podem suscitar preocupações concorrenciais, impedindo justamente que novos players possam entrar, competir e inovar no mercado.
Diante desse contexto, este webinar visa a discutir como o Brasil se insere nesta discussão. Serão abordadas as propostas de regulação existentes sobre o setor no Brasil e no mundo, incluindo o Projeto de Lei nº 2768, a tomada de subsídios do Ministério da Fazenda, os riscos e benefícios de se adotar uma regulação ex ante em comparação com outras formas de intervenção, e as perspectivas do CADE para o setor.

The GW-Milbank Antitrust Salon - Summer 2025
2025-06-04 12:00 - 23:59 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
Following the first salon in Winter 2025, The GW Competition & Innovation Lab and Milbank LLP hosted the successful Antitrust Conference on Wednesday, June 4.

The major implications that recent changes in political leadership, trade policy, and international relations will have on antitrust enforcement globally were discussed by speakers including Melissa Holyoak, Commissioner of the US FTC, Olivier Guersent, Director-General for Competition of the European Commission, and Bill Rinner, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Antitrust Division.

International Trade Law & Global Data Governance
2025-06-06 14:00 - 17:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
The George Washington University Competition & Innovation Lab (GW CIL) co-organized a high-level workshop on International Trade Law and Global Data Governance, hosted at the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO) in Turin, Italy. This workshop is part of the Master in International Law program, jointly developed by the ITC-ILO and GW’s academic partners, and is supported by a vibrant network of global institutions committed to addressing today’s most pressing legal, technological, and regulatory challenges.

As digital technologies increasingly shape global trade, financial markets, and regulatory systems, new questions emerge at the intersection of international economic law, data governance, and cross-border digital flows. This event brought together leading scholars and policy experts to explore these frontier issues through a legal and interdisciplinary lens.
Featured Speakers:

Neha Mishra, Professor of International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute
Oscar Borgogno, Legal and Economic Expert, Banca d’Italia
Cristina Poncibò, Professor of Law, University of Torino & Fellow, Collegio Carlo Alberto

Together, the speakers examined how international trade agreements address (or fail to address) key issues such as:

Data localization requirements and the regulation of cross-border data flows
The interaction between trade rules and emerging AI and digital governance frameworks
Competition concerns and regulatory fragmentation in global digital markets
The role of national central banks and financial regulators in promoting interoperability and data-driven innovation

The workshop combined academic discussion with practical insights, providing participants with the tools to understand and respond to rapidly evolving regulatory landscapes. It was designed for professionals, scholars, and students engaged in international trade, antitrust, digital regulation, and financial governance.
Partners:

George Washington University Competition & Innovation Lab (GW CIL)
International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO)
University of Torino
Geneva Graduate Institute
Collegio Carlo Alberto
United Nations UNCITRAL
Unidroit

Competition Moot Court in Peru
2025-07-16 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
Moot de Libre CompetenciaJuly 16 – 19, 2025
The Free Competition Moot is an annual event organized by Bullard Falla Ezcurra+ and the Universidad del Pacífico. In this dynamic competition, law and economics students are challenged to put their knowledge to the test before expert panels of lawyers and economists specializing in competition and regulation.

About the Competition
Each participating team must defend a position as either the plaintiff or the defendant in a fictional case that tackles controversial issues in competition law and regulation. The event is designed to develop the participants’ skills in multidisciplinary teamwork, requiring a solid grasp of legal principles alongside economic theory and practical analytical techniques.
Over the course of eight editions, the Moot has attracted students from at least 12 Peruvian universities—both public and private—as well as participants from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, Mexico, and Paraguay. For more details, you can review the following documents:

Moot Court Brochure

Collaboration with GW Competition & Innovation Lab
We are delighted to announce that the GW Competition & Innovation Lab at The George Washington University is a key collaborator in this year’s moot court. Their involvement underscores the event’s commitment to excellence, innovative thinking, and the development of future leaders in the fields of competition and regulatory law.
The GW Competition & Innovation Lab’s contribution not only enriches the learning experience for all participants but also reinforces the event’s international prestige by connecting academic rigor with real-world legal and economic challenges.

Prizes and Opportunities
Best Team
US $10,000 awarded to the winning team.
Second Best TeamThe team finishing second will enjoy exclusive benefits, including
ABA Spring Meeting Sponsorship:
The GW Competition & Innovation Lab will cover the expenses for one team member to attend the 2026 American Bar Association (ABA) Spring Meeting. This sponsorship includes airfare, accommodation, and registration fees. (Please note that Bullard Falla Ezcurra+ and GW Law are not responsible for visa requirements or any subsequent issues.)
Research Internships:

Three members from the team will be offered a two-month, unpaid research internship as “Research Students” at the GW Competition & Innovation Lab. These internships may be undertaken remotely or in person (with any necessary expenses to be covered by the participant).
Best SpeakerA three-month internship at BFE+ in Lima, Peru.
Second Best Speaker
A three-month internship at FerradaNehme (FN) in Santiago, Chile.
Organized By
Bullard Falla Ezcurra+ and Universidad del Pacífico lead this initiative, supported by numerous partners and participants who contribute to the success of this academic endeavor.
For further inquiries, please contact us at:

Lima Office: Calle Las Palmeras 310, San Isidro, Lima, PeruPhone: +511 621 15 15Email: informes@bullardfallaezcurra.com
Madrid Office: Calle del Segre 20, 28002 Madrid, SpainPhone: +34 649 967 589Email: informes@bullardfallaezcurra.com

The Rivalry Podcast
2025-07-16 - 2025-11-18 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
Introducing RIVALRY, the exciting new podcast from the GW Competition & Innovation Lab! Dive into the world of antitrust matters, competition, and regulatory challenges as we bring you insightful conversations with leading innovators, entrepreneurs, and top regulators. Learn how rivals compete through innovation, who are their actual or potential rivals, and what is means from a regulatory perspective.
Whether you’re an industry expert or simply curious about the dynamic landscape of competition and innovation, RIVALRY offers a unique platform to hear from the voices shaping the future.
Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and stay ahead of the curve with the latest insights from the best in the field.

EPISODE 4: chad kim
Competition within the National Security contracting space, the importance of strong and reactive team, and chad’s advice to young entrepreneurs

EPISODE 3 : jorge padilla
Jorge’s storied career, anti-expert bias worldwide, the future of antitrust, the importance of analogies, and thinking both fast and slow

EPISODE 2 : FRederic jenny
World antitrust, THE OECD, THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, THE DIGITAL MARKETS ACT
and the future of antitrust economics

Episode 1 : Olivier Guersent
Antitrust, Tech Giants and the Digital Markets Act

India Competition Law 2.0: Commitments and Settlements
2025-07-18 09:00 - 10:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
The new settlement and commitment framework under the Indian Competition Act, 2002 is aimed at speeding up competition enforcement, particularly in digital markets, where timely enforcement is essential as markets can tip in favour of dominant players. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently settled its first case with Google in the Android TV operating system market, bringing this case to an end much faster than many other cases before the CCI. However, critics point towards limitations and ambiguities in the legal framework that may impede the bringing of settlements and commitments. In this inter-disciplinary discussion with experts, we will explore different aspects of the settlement and commitment regime from a theoretical and practical lens and gain insights as to the role this framework is likely to play in India.

Participants:
Dr. Shilpi Bhattacharya – Professor, Jindal Global Law School
Hemangini Dadwal – Senior Partner, AZB & Partners
Abir Roy – Co-Founder and Advocate, Sarvada Legal
Dr. Manisha Goel – Senior Economist, Econ One Research

Antitrust in Labour Markets: Key Risks and Enforcement Trends
2025-07-28 10:00 - 10:45 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
The webinar provides an insightful discussion on antitrust issues in labour markets, featuring experts from the Turkish Competition Authority, academia, and legal practice in Türkiye and internationally. It will examine why competition authorities are increasingly scrutinising labour market restraints, Türkiye’s approach compared to EU and UK enforcement, and grey zones in HR practices such as benchmarking, no-poach agreements, and AI hiring tools, as well as future enforcement trends and their cross-border implications. The session delves into the practical compliance takeaways, equipping HR and legal teams with a clear understanding of evolving risks, recent decisions, and strategies to ensure compliance with competition law.

Participants:
Moderator – Dr. Eda Sahin, Senior Lecturer in Law – Bath Spa UniversityPanelist 1 – Nezir Furkan Kiran, Deputy Head of Department – Turkish Competition AuthorityPanelist 2 – Kate Newman, Partner, Mills & ReevePanelist 3 – Mustafa Ayna, Counsel, ACTECONChaired by – Dr. Hanna Stakheyeva, GW CIL Turkiye Regional Initiative leader

The Telecom Dilemma: Balancing Infrastructure and Consumer Welfare
2025-07-30 09:00 - 10:00 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
As Europe faces mounting challenges to its global economic standing, policymakers and experts are calling for ambitious reforms to boost competitiveness, drive innovation, and modernize critical infrastructure. Recent proposals—ranging from industrial policy to telecoms reform—have sparked intense debate across the policy and academic landscape.
This session brings together Senior Fellows and Advisors to the European Initiative for a critical discussion on Europe’s strategic options, the risks of short-sighted reforms, and the need for ensuring effective competition dynamics and consumer welfare. With the Draghi Report offering one of several provocative contributions to the debate, this event will examine where Europe should go next – and how.

Participants:
Moderator – Oscar Borgogno, Senior Fellow and EU Regional Leader Initiative
Panelist 1 – Eliana Garces, Senior Fellow
Panelist 2 – Antonio Manganelli, University of Siena
Panelist 3 – Carlo Cambini, Politecnico di Torino

La Noticia Antitrust Del Año: Se Viene La Politica Nacional Multisectorial de Competencia Del Peru
2025-08-05 08:00 - 10:00 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States

Competition Law in the Digital Age
2025-08-08 19:00 - 20:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
India’s trade strategy is increasingly focused on comprehensive agreements that go beyond just market access to also support broader economic and regulatory goals. The US is negotiating with India to finalize an interim trade deal aimed at reducing proposed tariff rates. In ongoing negotiations with the European Union (EU), there is growing emphasis on aligning priorities in areas like investment, digital trade, and sustainability. A key part of this alignment is competition policy, which helps ensure fair access to markets and enables smoother cooperation between regulators across borders. This trend is also reflected in India’s recent trade agreements, such as the India–UK Free Trade Agreement signed in May 2025, which is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion by removing tariffs and improving access to services, and the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the EFTA bloc signed in March 2024, aimed at strengthening investment ties and regulatory collaboration. These developments point to a broader shift toward trade frameworks that reduce friction, support innovation, and build long-term economic partnerships. As India and its global partners adapt their trade and strategic relationships amid shifting global dynamics, it is important to explore how trade and competition policy can work together to promote economic resilience and global cooperation.
In this context, The Dialogue organized a focused roundtable in collaboration with The GW Competition and Innovation Lab to examine how evolving geopolitical trends are reshaping trade priorities, with a particular focus on regulatory cooperation and competition policy as tools to reduce trade barriers.
In addition to this roundtable, Professor Portuese participated in several other panels at this important event, and Frederic Jenny served as the keynote speaker.

2nd Regulation and Competition Seminar - Brazil
2025-08-11 17:00 - 21:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
The GW Competition & Innovation Lab is delighted to be a partner of the 2nd Regulation and Competition Seminar, a joint initiative symposium from 4 universities in Brazil. As vice-chair of the competition committee of the the Institute of Lawyers of Sao Paualo (IASP), our Brazil Initiative Leader Eduardo Gaban is a featured speaker.
Key topics include challenges and trends in regulation and competition jurisprudence as seen by Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF), the role of competition in regulating innovation markets, and a re-evaluation of institutional frameworks, particularly concerning regulatory agencies and CADE (Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense). The event concludes with a final keynote on CADE’s operations within regulated sectors, with various presidents and experts from legal and academic institutions participating throughout the day.

Examining the Brussels Effect of the EU’s Digital Markets Act
2025-08-11 22:00 - 23:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
Is the Digital Markets Act going global? The European Union’s Digital Markets Act marks a major shift in digital competition regulation – moving from traditional ex post enforcement to a proactive, ex ante regime targeting digital platform ‘gatekeepers’. Promoted as a blueprint for global digital regulation, the DMA is already influencing legislative agendas beyond Europe. This webinar explores new research that traces the DMA’s impact on emerging digital competition frameworks in Brazil, India, and Japan. Through a comparative legal lens, the study reveals how these jurisdictions have engaged with, adapted, or departed from the DMA model to suit their institutional, economic, and political contexts. The session will examine what this tells us about the prospects for international regulatory convergence and the limits of the so-called ‘Brussels Effect’ in the digital economy.

Participants:
Dr. Aaron Lane is a Senior Fellow at the GW Competition & Innovation Lab at The George Washington University. His research is focused on the intersection of regulation and innovation and has internationally recognised expertise on the regulation of blockchain and cryptocurrency. He holds degrees in commerce and law from Deakin University, Australia, and a PhD from RMIT University, Australia. In addition to his academic roles, Aaron practices as a Barrister (independent counsel) at the Victorian Bar.
Anna Moskal is a lawyer whose work sits at the nexus of technology, law, and economics – exploring how regulatory frameworks can keep pace with digital development. Her areas of expertise include the sharing economy, digital markets, and EU Law. She holds a Master of Laws and a Master of International Relations with First Class Honours from the Jagiellonian University, Poland. Anna is currently completing her PhD in international and comparative law at Monash University, Australia.

The DMA's Brussels Effect
2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:30 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union (EU) is a landmark regulation aimed at curbing the power of Big Tech companies. This panel explores the potential for the DMA’s reach to extend beyond the EU’s borders, producing a “Brussels effect” that influences digital market regulation in Brazil, Turkey, and India. We will examine how the DMA’s ex-ante and ex-post regulatory framework might reshape these countries’ own approaches to competition and consumer protection in the digital sphere. The panel will further delve into the question of whether the regulatory genie, once released by the DMA, can be put back in the bottle – or the phenomenon is here to stay. As other countries adopt similar measures, could this lead to a more globally coordinated approach to governing digital markets? How will this affect Big Tech companies? This session will be of interest to policymakers, legal professionals, academics, and industry representatives concerned with the evolving landscape of digital market regulation and the potential for international convergence.

Dario Oliveira Neto is the Director of the Global Antitrust Institute’s (GAI) Latin America Competition Advocacy Program. Prior to joining the GAI, Mr. Dario Oliveira Neto was the Head of the Technical Advisory Unit to the Office of the President of the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) —the Brazilian Competition Authority. In that position, he supervised a team of advisors and interns to assist the president in producing opinions and judgements in the cases at CADE’s Administrative Tribunal (antitrust cases such as mergers, cartels, and unilateral conducts). He also assisted with CADE’s administrative, institutional, and representational affairs, both nationally and internationally. Also at CADE, he has served as an Advisor to the Office of the General Superintendent.
Lilla Nóra Kiss is a senior policy analyst at ITIF, and a Post-Graduate Visiting Research Fellow and an adjunct faculty at the Antonin Scalia Law School of George Mason University. During her post-doctoral research, she undertakes a comparative analysis of how the US and the EU approach regulating social media. In addition, as an adjunct faculty member at Scalia Law School, she teaches Antitrust Law. Lilla completed her JD in 2015 at the University of Miskolc, Hungary. During her doctoral studies, she undertook the General and Juridical Mediator course and immersed herself in several international law programs (the Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN); the Academy of European Law (AEL) summer schools at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy).
Hanna Stakheyeva is an Assistant Professor at the Bogazici University (Istanbul, Turkey), conducts research into competition law matters with a particular focus on the EU, Ukraine and Turkey. Previously worked as a competition lawyer at ACTECON (Istanbul, Turkey), Baker & McKenzie (Kyiv, Ukraine) and King & Wood Mallesons (Brussels, Belgium).
Pritika Marguerite Magima is a Postgraduate Researcher and Tech Policy Analyst at Georgetown Center on National Security. She is a policy Professional with experience in U.S. and global policy in the technology sector wherein she has worked at the intersection of technology industries and regulation/policy implications. With over six years of legal experience in the technology, sports, and hardware industries, she provides policy and legal analysis on emerging issues and trends affecting the digital sector.
Aurelien Portuese is a Research Professor and the founding director of the GW Competition & Innovation at the George Washington University. Professor Portuese is also a Researcher at the Farhi Innovation Lab of the College de France of the University of Paris (PSL), and a Special Editor of the Antitrust Law Journal of the American Bar Association. Professor Portuese is also a Consultant at the World Bank.
Mónika Mercz is a visiting researcher at The GW Competition and Innovation Lab in Washington D.C., dealing with issues of how AI can be used for child protection efforts. She is a junior researcher at the Public Law Center of Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation. She is completing her PhD studies in Law and Political Sciences at the Doctoral School of the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, where her research topic examines how constitutional identity manifests in essential state functions of the Member States of the European Union. She is a founding editor of Constitutional Discourse, leading the Privacy & Data Protection column.

The Competition & Growth Conference
2025-09-22 08:00 - 17:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
In January 2025, the UK government replaced the chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), signaling a shift toward a more growth-oriented competition policy. This move, part of Labour’s broader economic agenda, has sparked intense debate about how competition enforcement can coexist with fostering innovation and growth, particularly in transformative sectors like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital markets.
The conference, “Competition & Growth: Unleashing Prosperity”, organized by The George Washington University and hosted in London at the University of East London, brought together leading competition regulators, enforcers, antitrust scholars, practitioners, and in-house counsels to address this critical challenge.
The conference aimed to explore how competition authorities can promote fair markets while supporting economic dynamism in an interconnected, AI-driven world.
We examined the evolving role of competition policy in supporting industrial strategies, facilitating mergers that drive growth, and regulating rapidly evolving digital markets. Conference participants included leading regulators, in-house counsels, and practitioners in the United Kingdom. The conference was a unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders at a critical time for the development of competition rules in the United Kingdom.

Download the full agenda here

Agenda

Time
Session

8:00 AM
Registration and Breakfast

9:00 AM

Opening Remarks
Professor Aurelien Portuese (GW Competition & Innovation Lab)

9:15 AM

Panel 1 – The Regulation of Competition in AI
Chair: Aurelien Portuese (GWU)

Panelists: Kai-Uwe Kuhn (UEA); Phillip Malloch (META), Oliver Bethell (Google), Renato Nazzini (KCL)

10:45 AM
Coffee Break

11:15 AM

Panel 2 – The Effects of the DMCC

Chair: Miroslava Marinova (UEL)

Panelists: Jessica Radke (Linklaters); Sarah Long (Euclid); Cleo Alliston (BBC), Liza Lovdahl Gormsen (BIICL)

12:45 PM
Lunch Break

2:00 PM

Fireside Chat

Ioannis Kokkoris (Competition Appeal Tribunal) & Aurelien Portuese (GWU)

2:30 PM

Panel 3 – The New Merger and Trade Landscape
Chair: Lau Nilausen (CompassLexecon)

Panelists: Ronan Scanlan (Steptoe); Alex Jennings (Vodafone); Peter Holmes (USussex); Miranda Cole (Perkins Coie)

4:00 PM
Closing Remarks

AI Governance: Between Competition & Regulation
2025-09-23 08:00 - 16:00 | University Student Center, 800 21st Street, NW, Room 405, NW, 20052, United States
The GW Competition & Innovation Lab of The George Washington University organized a one-day conference at the European Parliament in Brussels on September 23, 2025. This conference was a bold, boundary-pushing exploration of the AI Act, redefining the future of technology, competition, and global collaboration.
A powerhouse lineup of global visionaries, policymakers, and trailblazing experts dove into the AI Act’s seismic impact through fresh, provocative lenses:

Rewriting the Rules of Competition & Collaboration: Discover how the AI Act impacts the competitive structure of markets and sparks groundbreaking coordination between the European Union and its Member States.
Transatlantic Implications: At a time of seismic political and regulatory shifts, we’ll unpack the AI Act’s ripple effects across the Atlantic. From Washington to Brussels, explore how these changes ignite new opportunities and tensions in the global AI race.
Antitrust Meets AI Revolution: Dive into the interplay between the AI Act and the Digital Markets Act, dissecting its antitrust implications and what it means for the future of innovation and market power.

Download the full agenda here

Agenda

Time
Session

8:30 AM
Registration

9:00 AM
Welcoming Remarks

9:15 AM

Opening Keynote
Irina Orssich (DG Connect)

9:45 AM

Session 1 – AI Act: Towards Regulatory Coordination

Chair: Kristina Nordlander (GWU Lab Fellow)

Panelists: Oscar Borgogno (Banca d’Italia; GWU), Jan De Bruyne (KU Leuven), Gloria Gonzalez Fuster (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Alexandru Voica (Synthesia), Orestis Trasanidis (eitdigital)

11:15 AM
Coffee Break

11:45 AM

Fireside Chat Session 2 – AI Governance and International Trade: A Transatlantic Perspective

Chair: Oscar Borgogno (Banca d’Italia; GWU)

Panelists: Mathias Hanson (Vrje Universiteit Brussel), Bertin Martens (Bruegel Senior Fellow), Olivier Proust (Fieldfisher), Henri van Soest (Rand Europe), Simone Skovshoved (Head of Policy, Danish Entrepreneurs), Andrew Stivers (Managing Director NERA), Nicholas Vonortas (GWU)

1:15 PM
Lunch Break

2:30 PM

Session 3 – AI Market Concentration and Competition Policy
Chair: Aurelien Portuese (GWU)

Panelists: Alexandre De Streel (Academic Director, CERRE and Professor, University of Namur), Thomas Kramler (Head of Unit in DG COMP), Katie Curry (RBB), Beatrice Dumont (College of Europe), Bernd Meyring (Linklaters), Rita Wezenbeek (Director, European Commission), Friso Boestoen (Tilburg University)

4:00 PM

Keynote Address – “Towards AI Governance: Lessons from the AI Act Negotiations”
Brando Benifei (MEP; AI Act Rapporteur)

4:30 PM

Closing Remarks
Oscar Borgogno (Banca d’Italia; GWU), Brando Benifei (Member of the European Parliament; AI Act Co-Rapporteur), Aurelien Portuese (GWU)

2024 Lear Competition Festival
2025-09-24 | The George Washington University, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW, WA, 20052, United States
A four-day festival where learning and networking unite to form a vibrant hub for the antitrust community, highlighting the essential role of economics inshaping policy to assist authorities and courts in making informed decisions.
September 24-27, 2024
ROME, ITALYArco Della Pace 5Rome, 00186

The Lear Competition Festival (LCF) is a leading event where learning and networking come together to create a dynamic hub for the antitrust community, and the GW Competition & Innovation Lab is pleased to be a partner in this event. This four-day international festival builds on the success of past Lear conferences, highlighting the essential role of economics in shaping competition policy to assist authorities and courts in making informed decisions.
At LCF, you’ll engage with leading experts in cutting-edge discussions on emerging tools for competitive analysis and the ever-evolving challenges facing antitrust professionals. Immerse yourself in deep conversations about prominent international cases and explore advanced academic contributions in competition law, economics, and policy.
The LCF has grown into an annual event that fosters valuable connections and collaborations among participants and partners. Whether you are interested in becoming a Partner, sponsoring, or promoting the event, LCF offers tailored packages to meet your specific needs. Additionally, the festival provides inspiring opportunities for the next generation aspiring to careers in antitrust and regulation, featuring:
The Young Talent Competition Award (YTCA), is an initiative inviting young economists and lawyers to submit research proposals, which will be evaluated by a distinguished commission, with selected finalists presenting their work at the LCF.The Poster Session is a platform for students and researchers to showcase their findings to participants through printed posters during the first day of the festival.
The LCF also offers numerous networking opportunities, including an aperitif, a gala dinner, and walking tours, allowing participants to foster meaningful connections. The GW Competition Lab will lead a panel session on the Law and Economics of merger control in the context of AI and Fintech, and will award monetary prizes to the second and third place winners of the Young Talent Competition Award as follows:
– €1,000 for second place – €500 for third place
We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event!
https://www.learcompetitionfestival.com/program/
