Our Curious Amalgam

China's antitrust regime has evolved rapidly over the past decade. What role does economic analysis play in the actual enforcement? Anora Wang and Kathleen Hu speak with Dr. Vanessa Zhang of Compass Lexecon about the growing role of economic analysis in Chinese competition law, drawing on her experience advising China's antitrust authority and serving as a testifying expert in high-stakes cases. The conversation explores how economic evidence is developed, evaluated, and increasingly relied upon in China's evolving antitrust regime.
With special guest:
Vanessa Zhang, Executive Vice President, Compass Lexecon
Related Links:
The Complex Geopolitics of Digital Regulation: The Three Body Problem
Hosted by:
Anora Wang, Arnold & Porter and Kathleen Hu, Cornerstone Research

Businesses are increasingly considering the use of generative AI for work that historically relied on human creativity, including in the area of marketing and advertising. But can ads made with gen AI really be more effective than human-created ads? Professor Vilma Todri of Emory University Goizueta Business School joins Kathleen Hu and Jaclyn Phillips to discuss her recent research on the impact of visual generative AI on advertising effectiveness. Listen to this episode to learn more about how gen AI is being used in advertising and the implications for ad effectiveness and AI disclosure policies.
With special guest:
Vilma Todri, Associate Professor, Goizueta Business School of Emory University

Related Links:
The Impact of Visual Generative AI on Advertising Effectiveness
Hosted by:
Kathleen Hu, Cornerstone Research and Jaclyn Phillips, Proskauer Rose

In 2006, various parties came together to form Brazil's Amazon Soy Moratorium in an effort to curb illegal deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. Today, challenges regarding Brazil's Soy Moratorium continue to mount, with passionate advocacy from farmers, environmentalists, government agencies, and international organizations. What might seem a cut-and-dry conflict between free enterprise and environmental conservation becomes more complicated when we delve deeper. With an antitrust cartel investigation in limbo, a pseudo-private agreement to arguably higher deforestation standards than those instituted by the government, and international observers on the scene, including customers and climate activists, the facts surrounding Brazil's Soy Moratorium are ripe for unpacking. Our guest today is antitrust attorney Eduardo Frade, who joins Barry Nigro and Anora Wang to discuss Brazil's Soy Moratorium and the various antitrust and competition questions it raises.
With special guest:
Eduardo Frade, Partner, Mattos Filho

Related Links:
General Superintendence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE) decides to adopt preventive measures to suspend the Soy Moratorium
Hosted by:
Barry Nigro, Fried Frank and Anora Wang, Arnold & Porter

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