Kroger Co. has enlisted Ohio-based law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, along with New York’s Weil, Gotshal & Manges, to challenge the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) efforts to block its purchase of grocery chain Albertsons Cos. The legal teams, led by Vorys’ Nathaniel Lampley and Weil’s Mark A. Perry, are set to contend the FTC’s case in a trial starting August 26. Kroger is seeking a preliminary injunction, arguing the commission’s actions are unconstitutional.
Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons, initially valued at $24.6 billion in 2022, has been a focal point of regulatory scrutiny. To date, Kroger has spent approximately $535 million on merger-related fees, including legal, consultancy, and employee retention expenses. These details were found in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
The legal muscle of Vorys and Weil emphasizes the high stakes for Kroger in securing this acquisition. Vorys, with 375 lawyers across nine offices, and Weil, ranked 26th among the top 200 law firms by the American Lawyer, bring significant legal prowess to the table.
For further information, refer to the original reporting on Bloomberg Law.