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Thomas Mueller is a partner in the firm's Regulatory and Government Affairs Department, and the co-chair of the Antitrust and Competition Practice Group. He joined the firm in 1992.
His antitrust practice focuses on global cartel enforcement matters, as well as merger and other investigations with transatlantic implications. Having practiced both in Brussels and Washington, Mr. Mueller has insight into antitrust issues on both sides of the Atlantic and has helped steer clients through the difficulties and opportunities created by the closer cooperation between the US and EU authorities. Chambers describes him as "a figure of great stature within criminal and cartel investigation circles. 'He is a creative strategist, which makes him a perfect choice for this often complicated and rapidly-moving area.'"
Practice
Mr. Mueller's competition practice includes cartel investigations and litigation, merger clearance, conduct investigations and counseling. He regularly advises major clients across various industry sectors.
Recent Highlights
Cartel Investigations and Litigation
Mr. Mueller has extensive internal investigation and litigation experience. His experience in both the US and Europe has been helpful in developing strategies in responding to price-fixing allegations, often from multiple antitrust authorities around the world. He has successfully persuaded authorities to close investigations without taking enforcement action and has secured non-prosecution agreements and leniency protection for clients. He has represented a major European airline in the investigations and litigation concerning the air cargo business, JP Morgan Chase in the DOJ's investigation of the municipal derivatives market, a major Japanese freight forwarder in DOJ investigations of that logistics industry, Chi Mei Optoelectronics in the LCD investigation, Odfjell ASA in the investigation by the US and EU of an alleged conspiracy among major chemical tanker companies, and a major private equity fund regarding the conduct of a portfolio company.
Merger Clearance
Mr. Mueller has represented clients in numerous in-depth investigations of global transactions, including serving as lead EU counsel in the merger between America Online and Time Warner, at the time, the world's largest merger. He has obtained early conclusion of phase II cases before the European Commission, as well as the clearance by US and EU authorities of Tetra Laval's acquisition of Sidel – the only transaction to have been successfully appealed and then approved by the European Commission.
Conduct Investigations and Counseling
Mr. Mueller counsels clients in a wide variety of industries on issues of abuse of dominance and vertical and horizontal restrictions of competition. He has particular experience in the aviation, manufacturing, finance, Internet and telecommunications industries.
Professional Activities
Mr. Mueller has served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center where he taught a course on comparative US and EU competition law.
Honors and Awards
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