Mark Chicu, a seasoned economist with extensive experience in antitrust litigation and government service, has transitioned into a consulting role at Cornerstone Research, bringing deep expertise in economic analysis for legal and regulatory matters. His background includes serving as an expert witness for the U.S. government, notably in the Booz Allen/EverWatch case, where he provided testimony in federal court. Preparation for such roles, he explains, hinges on rigorous practice, clear understanding of analytical boundaries, and effective collaboration with legal teams. n nChicu emphasizes the importance of role-playing during deposition prep, which helps maintain composure and clarity under intense questioning. His time at the Department of Justice (DOJ) equipped him with insights into how economic evidence influences judicial and jury decision-making, particularly in complex antitrust trials. He also supported DOJ attorneys in deposing opposing experts, refining strategies for cross-examination and narrative construction grounded in data. n nHis experience spans high-profile merger reviews, including the Visa/Plaid and JetBlue/Spirit cases, where success depended on meticulous analysis of transaction details, market data, and documentary evidence. Early identification of key issues allows for targeted advocacy and smoother interactions with regulatory agencies. Clear communication with authorities can accelerate reviews and lead to more favorable outcomes. n nHaving worked across diverse sectors—such as agriculture, aviation, and professional sports—Chicu tailors his approach to each industry’s unique dynamics. Familiarity with sector-specific terminology and practices reduces onboarding time, but he stresses the need to assess each case independently, as every situation presents distinct challenges. This adaptability enables him to address novel issues in competition law effectively. n nCollaboration between economists and attorneys is central to his philosophy. He believes alignment on strategy, evidence, and objectives is essential, and that consistent, transparent communication produces the best results. At Cornerstone, he aims to replicate the close attorney-economist partnerships he experienced at the DOJ. n nChicu was drawn to the firm by its reputation for excellence, its collaborative culture, and its network of academic affiliates. He looks forward to contributing his public and private sector experience to support high-impact litigation and regulatory work, whether as a testifying expert or behind-the-scenes analyst. His goal is to advance rigorous, evidence-based economic reasoning in complex legal environments.
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5 Questions with Mark Chicu: Bringing Agency Experience to Economic Consulting
You have been deposed and have testified in federal court as the United States’ economic expert, notably in the Booz Allen/EverWatch matter. Please walk us through your experience in preparing for and delivering expert testimony. What insights do you bring to the table given your recent experience in the government? n nIn the lead-up to expert testimony, practice is essential. It’s especially important to understand the boundaries of the report or declaration—what I, as the expert, am and am not offering an opinion on. Role-playing is incredibly valuable in getting ready to handle deposition and trial; being well-prepared has helped me to stay calm and remain on message in the face of tough questioning. n nWorking closely with attorneys has given me valuable insights into what makes testimony effective, including strategies for navigating challenging questions and crafting compelling narratives that are grounded in sound economic analysis. n nThrough my experience with antitrust trials—including, but certainly not limited to, the Booz Allen matter—I deeply appreciate the importance of clear communication and understanding what evidence is likely to resonate with a judge or jury. This awareness enables me to more effectively convey the economics of a case and build trust with decisionmakers, both of which facilitate better understanding of key points. n nIn my time at the DOJ, I also gained substantial experience supporting other experts, from retention through trial, and I regularly assisted DOJ attorneys in deposing and cross-examining opposing experts. Working closely with attorneys has given me valuable insights into what makes testimony effective, including strategies for navigating challenging questions and crafting compelling narratives that are grounded in sound economic analysis. n nYou have extensive merger litigation experience, including in high-profile mergers such as Visa/Plaid and JetBlue/Spirit. What skills and expertise are particularly important in terms of supporting clients on complex merger reviews and investigations? n nIn the early stages of a matter, it’s crucial to develop a thorough understanding of the transaction’s details and to identify the key issues likely to arise. From there, economic analyses should be grounded in the data, documentary evidence, and testimony. A fully informed approach supports targeted and convincing advocacy, ultimately streamlining the process and reducing the burden on both clients and agencies. Effective communication with agencies can also help expedite the process and yield more efficient outcomes. n nAs someone with expertise across a large range of industries, including agriculture, airlines, and professional sports, can you talk about your work with clients in different sectors and how you tailor your analysis to address industry-specific challenges? n nWorking across a range of industries—repeatedly, in some instances—I have found that the old adage holds true: the details matter. n nHaving a deep understanding of a given industry can reduce the learning curve: the airline industry, for example, has certain terms of art, acronyms, and other nuances. At the same time, every transaction or examination of alleged conduct presents its own unique challenges, and it’s important to approach each set of facts with an open mind. n nEvery transaction or examination of alleged conduct presents its own unique challenges, and it’s important to approach each set of facts with an open mind. n nMy broad experience has allowed me to see an array of issues firsthand, giving me a strong foundation from which to identify key concerns and handle the novel situations that often arise in antitrust cases. n nWith experience working closely with attorneys at the DOJ and in private practice, can you describe your approach to supporting legal teams and effectively integrating economic analysis into litigation and regulatory strategies? n nWorking especially closely with attorneys is a highlight of my experience as an economist in the Antitrust Division, and I aim to replicate this successful collaboration at Cornerstone Research. n nEconomists can play a vital role at all stages of a matter, and, often, the economic analysis is pivotal to the outcome. In my experience, alignment between attorneys and economists on strategy, evidence, and objectives is crucial to success. To this end, I believe that early, regular, and transparent communication drives the best possible results. n nWhat excites you about joining Cornerstone, and what do you hope to achieve in your first few years with the firm? n nI’m drawn to Cornerstone because of the exceptional quality of my coworkers and of the working environment. The firm’s outstanding network of academic affiliates, some of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past, was also a significant factor in my decision to join. I’m excited to collaborate with and support some of the best minds in the field. n nCornerstone’s focus on delivering success for our clients, combined with its commitment to fostering a supportive internal environment and investing in the resources and technology needed to excel, also aligns with my own values and approach. n nAt Cornerstone Research, I’m excited to collaborate with and support some of the best minds in the field. n nI’m eager to contribute my skills and experience, built over years of working at the DOJ and in litigation consulting, to help advance great work on important issues, whether as an expert or in support of Cornerstone’s fantastic staff and affiliates.