Our Curious Amalgam

The past few years have been a critical time in the development of data privacy laws and the regulation of AI in the United States. As we look toward 2026, the complexities are only increasing. In this episode, the Antitrust Law Section's Privacy and Information Security (PRIS) Committee joins forces with OCA to focus on the highlights of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Hosts Alicia Downey and Anora Wang talk to PRIS Committee vice chairs Jessica Cohen of Verizon Communications and Alex Brown of Alston & Bird about why the next 12 months could redefine how AI and data privacy are regulated at the federal and state levels. In addition, listeners will hear from Jessica about being a mother of five, and get an update on Walter, a beauty pageant-winning dog, who was just a puppy when Alex was a featured guest on OCA Episode #89 back in 2020.

With special guests:
Jessica Cohen, Senior Counsel, Regulatory Affairs, AI, Cybersecurity & Privacy, Verizon Communications and Alexander G. Brown, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
Related Links:
Kathleen Benway, Alexander G. Brown, Maki DePalo, Jennifer C. Everett, Graham Gardner & Hyun Jai Oh, "Flurry of FTC Activity Shows Enforcement Emphasis on Youth Protection," 12 PRATT'S PRIVACY &CYBERSECURITY LAW REPORT 8 (LexisNexis A.S. Pratt 2026)
Alexander G. Brown & Katherine Doty Hanniford, "First 100 Days – Federal Privacy and Cybersecurity Regulation and Enforcement Under the Second Trump Administration," Alston & Bird Advisory (May 8, 2025)
Our Curious Amalgam, Episode #89 What's the Deal with Data Portability? Understanding the Competition and Privacy Aspects Surrounding the Movement of Data, November 30, 2020, featuring Alex Brown
Hosted by:
Alicia Downey, Downey Law and Anora Wang, Arnold & Porter

The UK merger control regime is undergoing procedural and substantive changes. What is happening and what should practicioners know? John Schmidt, solicitor at Arnold & Porter in London, joins Matthew Hall and Jaclyn Phillips to discuss the changes introduced by the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) and the UK government. Listen to this episode to learn more about new CMA jurisdictional and procedural guidance, a strategic reform of UK merger remedies and institutional changes to phase 2 merger reviews.
With special guest:
John Schmidt, partner, Arnold & Porter

Related Links:
Arnold & Porter, UK Merger Review Reform: From Merger Mystery To Remedy Rodeo (17 November 2025)
UK CMA, Merger remedies (19 December 2025)
UK CMA, Mergers: Guidance on the CMA's jurisdiction and procedure (19 December 2025)
UK government press release, Growth placed at the heart of regulators' remit alongside new measures to boost scrutiny and transparency (21 October 2025)


Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods and Jaclyn Phillips, Proskauer Rose

Blockchain and cryptocurrency promised to decentralize modern financial markets to take market power away from centralized financial intermediaries. But have they lived up to this promise? Hanna Halaburda, Associate Professor of Technology, Operations, and Statistics at NYU, joins Panos Dimitrellos and Christina Ma, to break down the layers of blockchain and the competitive forces and dynamics in these markets. Listen to this episode to learn more about the intersection of blockchain, crypto and antitrust.
With special guest:
Hanna Halaburda, Associate Professor of Technology, Operations, and Statistics, NYU Stern

Related Links:
Hanna Halaburda Articles and Research
Hosted by:
Christina Ma, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Panos Dimitrellos, Secretariat Economists

Billions have been claimed under the UK competition law opt-out collective actions regime since its introduction in 2015. What issues are faced by class members, class representatives and defendants? Jeremy Robinson, solicitor at Harcus Parker in London, joins Matthew Hall to discuss the regime. Listen to this episode to learn more about how it is structured, funding issues, the first damages award and the UK government's call for evidence on its operation.
With special guest:
Jeremy Robinson, partner, Harcus Parker

Related Links:
Harcus Parker, The future of the UK's competition collective actions regime, 15 October 2025
Harcus Parker, The CJC Review of Litigation Funding, 13 June 2025
UK Department for Business & Trade, Opt-out collective actions regime review: call for evidence, 6 August 2025
UK Competition Appeal Tribunal judgment, Kent v Apple, 23 October 2025
Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods

Computational methods are increasingly used by competition law regulators worldwide. But what are these and can companies also take advantage? Todd Davies, PhD candidate in competition law at University College London, joins Matthew Hall and Anora Wang to discuss the issues raised by the use of computational antitrust. Listen to this episode to learn more about the pros and cons of adoption by regulators, new tools available to companies, possible responses by regulators and key takeaways for practitioners and companies.
With special guest:
Todd Davies, University College London

Related Links:
Todd Davies, The Dark Side of Computational Antitrust: When AI is Used to Evade the Law, Kluwer Competition Law Blog (October 28, 2025)
Thibault Schrepel, Computational Antitrust: An Introduction and Research Agenda (January 15, 2021)
Thibault Schrepel and Teodora Groza, Computational Antitrust Worldwide: Fourth Cross-Agency Report (June 18, 2025)
Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods and Anora Wang, Arnold & Porter