FSG’s Economics Practice consists of economists, econometricians, and statisticians, as well as a group of seasoned professional consultants. Each practice member has extensive experience analyzing competitive issues with respect to litigation matters, regulatory policies and/or auctions. Our experts have convincingly presented their findings through written reports, deposition testimony, and trial testimony before various regulatory agencies and judicial institutions. We have provided opinions and analyses in matters involving auction design and strategy, class certification, market definition, mergers and acquisitions, monopolization, market power, discrimination and economic damages, among others.
Antitrust
FSG’s experts have worked on a wide variety of domestic and international antitrust issues in litigation and for various regulatory authorities. Our litigation experience includes liability and damages analyses on cases involving monopolization, monopsony power, price fixing and restraint of trade, among others. Our experts have also provided written and oral testimony regarding the competitive effects of mergers before various regulatory bodies.
Antitrust Damages
The purpose of an antitrust damages assessment is to quantify the economic outcome that would have taken place absent any illegal anticompetitive behavior. FSG experts are adept at applying complex economic theory and sophisticated econometric analyses to case facts. We have extensive experience at quantifying economic damages resulting from anticompetitive conduct and know how to present our findings clearly and effectively.
Collusion
FSG experts have extensive experience analyzing the effects of price fixing, bid rigging, market share allocation, and other forms of collusive behavior. Through the use of sophisticated econometric modeling and the rigorous application of economic theory to case facts, our experts have successfully opined on both liability and damages issues arising from claims of collusion among market participants.
Market Definition
Properly defining an antitrust market is an important component to many antitrust claims. FSG experts are adept at applying the horizontal merger guidelines, case law, and rigorous economic analysis to case facts to develop accurate and defensible market definitions in antitrust matters.
Mergers and Acquisitions
FSG experts have unparalleled experience in analyzing the likely competitive effects of proposed mergers. Our economists have developed advanced merger simulation models, and have provided sophisticated economic analyses to competition authorities and industry clients in some of the largest merger transactions on record.
Monopolization
FSG experts have provided consulting services, economic analyses and expert opinions on a wide variety of monopolization and attempted monopolization claims across a number of industries. We are experienced at defining relevant antitrust markets and determining the presence and abuse of dominant positions within those markets. Our economists have assisted clients, federal agencies and state governments on a number of important cases involving claims under Sherman Act and Clayton Act.
Price Discrimination
FSG economists have analyzed a number of price discrimination claims brought under the Robinson-Patman Act. We are skilled at collecting, organizing, and analyzing pricing data, and we know how to account for the effects and timing of price promotions, advertising and other activities that can cloud results. Moreover, our experts can credibly explain the results of these complex analyses in an understandable and persuasive manner.
Vertical Restraints
Vertical restraints of trade can occur at different levels of the production and distribution process. FSG economists and industry professionals are experienced at analyzing the relationships and contractual agreements throughout the upstream and downstream sections of the supply chain. We have provided expert opinions and analyses on a number of cases involving claims of vertical restraints of trade, including resale price maintenance matters, exclusive dealing matters and territorial restriction matters.
Auctions
Auctions are increasingly being used to purchase and sell assets, property rights, and natural resources in a wide variety of industries, including telecommunications, energy and commodities. Properly designed and regulated auctions result in lower information and transaction costs, and help companies achieve important financial and strategic objectives. FSG’s experts have helped design a number of different auctions, from relatively simple single-round, sealed bid auctions, to more complex multi-round, ascending auctions. Additionally, our auction experts are highly respected theorists and have assisted a number of clients develop and implement effective bidding strategies.
Class Certifications
The appropriateness of class certification depends on whether there is a common impact (harm) suffered by all the members of the class and whether a common method or formula can be used to quantify this impact. Establishing or defeating class certification is often a critical component in litigation and it requires a unique set of skills. FSG’s experts have extensive experience in evaluating the appropriateness of classes for cases involving a wide variety of allegations in a number of different industries. We are adept at applying econometric analysis and economic theory to complex issues, and on numerous occasions have presented opinions that have been instrumental in the establishing or defeating class certification.
Consumer Protection
FSG’s experts have the range of experience in consumer protection to address complex consumer financial issues using standard economic theory and econometrics. Our consultants and academic affiliates are proficient in survey design and research, econometric damage estimation, and behavioral finance and economics. They have experience with the following government agencies and institutions: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, States’ Attorneys General, and Federal and State Courts (private litigation).
Energy Economics
FSG professionals have a proven record of providing valued advice and support to firms in all sectors of the energy industry. Our consultants and academic experts possess considerable expertise in economic, financial, accounting, marketing and asset valuation issues peculiar to energy markets. We have successfully assisted such varied clients as integrated oil and gas companies, regulated utilities, wholesale power generators, and regulatory commissions. The FSG professional staff is highly experienced in working with clients’ legal counsel to provide litigation support, expert witness testimony, market design and analysis and academic advice on proposed regulatory and public policy changes.
Litigation Support and Expert Testimony
FSG personnel have provided expert witness testimony on a wide range of energy matters in both federal and state courts. Our experts have provided opinions on a variety of matters, involving antitrust claims, intellectual property, commercial damages, asset valuation and royalties, and have convincingly presented their findings in testimony at deposition and at trial. Leading researchers in the fields of economic, finance and industrial organizations, together with experienced professionals from the energy industry, are available to support FSG clients in regulatory proceedings and complex business litigation.
Market Design and Analysis
FSG energy professionals possess considerable experience in the design and economic analysis of energy market mechanisms and pricing strategies. Our experts have served as consultants to a variety of electricity market design projects and have provided advice on the management of transmission congestion, pricing of energy and ancillary services, settlements, capacity market design, market power mitigation, generation adequacy and the use of contracts to mitigate local market power by independent generators. FSG personnel have provided assistance on these and other matters to regulatory agencies, public and private utilities, generators, and retail suppliers.
Regulatory and Public Policy
FSG professionals have advised clients on a broad range of regulatory and public policy issues, including such diverse topics as generation adequacy, the operation of capacity markets, the measurement and mitigation of market power, transmission market design, retail rate design, demand-side management and the economics of renewable energy. FSG experts have submitted written and verbal testimony before a number of state and federal regulatory bodies in the United States, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Our clients in these matters have included electric utilities, natural gas distribution utilities, power generators and pipeline companies. Elsewhere in the world, FSG experts have advised regulatory commissions and private companies in Japan, Korea, Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Canada, and Europe.
Labor & Employment
Labor related litigation, such as wage and hour disputes, discrimination, and pay equity matters, often require the application of sophisticated econometric and statistical analysis to complex data sets. FSG experts have significant experience in performing these types of analyses and explaining our results in a clear, convincing fashion to judges, juries, and arbiters.
Public Policy Analysis
FSG provides independent, objective analysis of the economic and fiscal impacts of public policies. Our experts have provided reports and testimony before legislative committees and regulatory agencies on myriad proposed public policies in matters including energy, health care, education, gambling, transportation, water policy, student loans, and insurance reform. They apply their understanding of state and local fiscal systems with state-of-the-art economic impact models to arrive at credible analyses that clarify issues and contribute to public policy debates and campaigns.
Real Estate and Housing
The residential, commercial, and mixed use real estate markets are constantly in flux. FSG experts are thought leaders in the area of real estate economics, mortgage banking, and securitization. We have significant experience in analyzing and valuing real estate assets, loan portfolios, mortgage-backed securities and derivative financial instruments. Our seasoned team members understand – and can explain – the mechanics and recent developments of the real estate markets, the complexities of the securities and derivatives that trade in these markets, and the roles and responsibilities of the many players who participate in them.
Resort Economics
In conjunction with our affiliates from Resort Advisory Group International, FSG provides clients with a wide range of strategic planning, asset management, and litigation support advisory services related to lodging, residential and mixed use real estate development, redevelopment, and operational activities both in the U.S. and abroad. The firm offers expert integrated advisory services at every stage of the real estate asset investment, implementation, management and operational decision-making processes.