Institute for Consumer Antitrust Studies
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Consumer Antitrust Studies is a non-partisan, independent academic center designed to explore the impact of antitrust
enforcement on the individual consumer and public, and to shape policy issues. It is located at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
in Chicago, Illinois.
The School of Law created the Institute in 1994 at the direction of then-dean Nina S. Appel, Professor Jane H. Locke, and a variety of other supporters. Funding for the Institute was provided via a cy pres award from the late United States District Judge Hubert Will
with funds remaining from a large antitrust settlement. In 2009, the Institute celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Beginning in 2000, Professor Spencer Waller became director of the Institute. Professor Waller has authored numerous scholarly articles and several books on the subject of antitrust. Prior to joining the Institute, Professor Waller served as Associate Dean at Brooklyn Law School. In addition to teaching, Professor Waller practiced with the United States Department of Justice
Antitrust and Criminal Divisions and with the Chicago law firm of Freeborn & Peters.
Fellows attend all Institute events as well as special programs designed to inform them of current topics of interest in competition law, practice and policy. These special programs introduce the Fellows to the key policymakers in the public and private sectors. Each year, the Institute sends Fellows to the ABA Section of Antitrust Spring Meeting. In addition, Fellows engage in externships with organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission
, Illinois Attorney General
, public interest groups and private law firms. The Fellows write papers on timely antitrust and consumer protection issues, recent Supreme Court decisions and new developments in these fields.
The Institute also sponsors a Senior Research Fellow. Typically, the Institute has one Senior Research Fellow on staff at all times. Senior Research Fellows conduct research, write articles for publication and engage in guest lecturing at the law school.
On September 11, 2009, the Institute, in conjunction with the American Bar Association
Section of Antitrust Law, hosted a conference of leading antitrust scholars from around the world to compare the enforcement of antitrust law throughout the world. Specifically, the discussion focused on the most conducive institutional structures for antitrust law enforcement.
Antitrust
The United States antitrust law is a body of laws that prohibits anti-competitive behavior and unfair business practices. Antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition in the marketplace. These competition laws make illegal certain practices deemed to hurt businesses or consumers or both,...
enforcement on the individual consumer and public, and to shape policy issues. It is located at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law is the law school of the Loyola University Chicago, in Illinois. Established in 1909, by the Society of Jesus, the Roman Catholic order of the Jesuits, the School of Law is located in downtown Chicago, within walking distance of the Water Tower , the John...
in Chicago, Illinois.
The School of Law created the Institute in 1994 at the direction of then-dean Nina S. Appel, Professor Jane H. Locke, and a variety of other supporters. Funding for the Institute was provided via a cy pres award from the late United States District Judge Hubert Will
Hubert Louis Will
Hubert Louis Will was a United States federal judge.Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Will received an A.B. from the University of Chicago in 1935 and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1937. He was an Attorney, General Counsel's Staff, Securities and Exchange Commission from 1937 to...
with funds remaining from a large antitrust settlement. In 2009, the Institute celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Beginning in 2000, Professor Spencer Waller became director of the Institute. Professor Waller has authored numerous scholarly articles and several books on the subject of antitrust. Prior to joining the Institute, Professor Waller served as Associate Dean at Brooklyn Law School. In addition to teaching, Professor Waller practiced with the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
Antitrust and Criminal Divisions and with the Chicago law firm of Freeborn & Peters.
Fellowship
The Institute promotes the study and discussion of consumer and competition law issues through a fellowship program, which began in January 2001. Fellows are law students chosen from among applicants who meet certain minimum requirements, including academic achievement (Fellows must be in the top one-third of their class), an interest in pursuing a career in antitrust or consumer protection, and complete requisite coursework. The Institute provides Fellows with a stipend.Fellows attend all Institute events as well as special programs designed to inform them of current topics of interest in competition law, practice and policy. These special programs introduce the Fellows to the key policymakers in the public and private sectors. Each year, the Institute sends Fellows to the ABA Section of Antitrust Spring Meeting. In addition, Fellows engage in externships with organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
, Illinois Attorney General
Illinois Attorney General
The Illinois Attorney General is the highest legal officer of the state of Illinois in the United States. Originally an appointed office, it is now an office filled by election through universal suffrage...
, public interest groups and private law firms. The Fellows write papers on timely antitrust and consumer protection issues, recent Supreme Court decisions and new developments in these fields.
The Institute also sponsors a Senior Research Fellow. Typically, the Institute has one Senior Research Fellow on staff at all times. Senior Research Fellows conduct research, write articles for publication and engage in guest lecturing at the law school.
Events
The Institute holds a variety of programs that bring together legal scholars to talk about antitrust and consumer protection issues. Each April, since 2000, the Institute sponsors its annual Loyola Antitrust Colloquium. The colloquium features presentations of various academic papers followed by commentary from lawyers, economists, and professors. In addition, the Institute sponsors a Brown Bag Lunch program that brings influential leaders in government and private practice to the Institute to talk with Student Fellows about their experiences in antitrust and consumer protection law, and their careers.On September 11, 2009, the Institute, in conjunction with the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
Section of Antitrust Law, hosted a conference of leading antitrust scholars from around the world to compare the enforcement of antitrust law throughout the world. Specifically, the discussion focused on the most conducive institutional structures for antitrust law enforcement.