Top lawyers join Tempur Sealy’s bid for mattress company

As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) seeks to block Tempur Sealy International’s $4.3 billion takeover of retail giant Mattress Firm, the case has drawn attention not only for its potential market implications but also for the legal teams representing both sides, Reuters reported.

The FTC, which says the merger will lead to job losses for manufacturing workers and higher prices for consumers, turned to Allyson Maltas, a former Latham & Watkins lawyer who joined the agency earlier this year as a senior litigator. Maltas, who is currently handling the FTC case, brings years of experience to the government side.

Tempur Sealy, on the other hand, has retained the law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, according to Reuters, with antitrust veteran Bruce Hoffman leading their defense and bringing his own wealth of experience and knowledge. Tempur Sealy maintains that the bedding industry is highly competitive, and Mattress Firm only accounts for a fraction of the retail market.

Related: FTC Blocks Tempur Sealy’s $4 Billion Acquisition of Mattress Firm

Mattress Firm has also retained a top-tier law firm, hiring Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Their team includes Sara Razi, co-leader of the firm’s antitrust and trade regulation group and an expert in trade regulations and nuances that will be key to the ongoing legal battle.

The case has drawn particular attention because it is a relatively rare “vertical” merger challenge involving companies that do not directly compete with each other. U.S. antitrust enforcers have historically had difficulty blocking such mergers in court, which adds additional context and weight to the case.

Source: Reuters