SABMiller wins antitrust approval for MillerCoors joint venture

Client(s) SABMiller plc

Jones Day successfully represented SABMiller, plc as U.S. antitrust counsel in connection with the combination of SABMiller's U.S. and Puerto Rico beer operations with those of Molson Coors Brewing Company to form MillerCoors, the second largest beer company in the United States. Jones Day successfully persuaded the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division to close its eight month investigation of the transaction without taking any action.

On behalf of Miller, Jones Day provided extensive information to the DOJ in the form of documents, data, and testimony, as well as affirmative legal advocacy and economic evidence. Jones Day persuaded the DOJ that the proposed joint venture between Miller and Coors would not likely lessen competition and that the transaction would result in significant and verifiable savings that would make MillerCoors a more competitive U.S. brewer. The DOJ issued a closing statement, citing these potential synergies and the evidence obtained by the DOJ in its conclusion to close the investigation with no conditions on the joint venture.