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Wrede Smith

Wrede H. Smith, III Partner

Washington, D.C. T +1 202 857 1719 F fax +1 202 828 3339
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Wrede provides strategic advice to companies seeking merger clearance on complex transactions and defending themselves in civil and criminal antitrust investigations before the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Wrede draws on his experience as a former DOJ Antitrust Division attorney to represent clients through all antitrust aspects of transactions, advising on merger clearance, deal risk, and HSR reportability.  Wrede also manages all aspects of complex civil antitrust litigation matters, including drafting motions, conducting discovery, engaging economists, and advising on settlement discussions.

Wrede’s work defending companies subject to government investigations extends to consumer protection matters, particularly involving compliance with the FTC’s “Made in USA” rule.

Wrede is a fifth-generation owner of a family business and brings a unique perspective to counseling closely-held and family-owned businesses.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Wrede practiced antitrust law at a Washington, DC law firm and served as a trial attorney at the DOJ Antitrust Division’s Defense, Industrials and Aerospace Section (DIA).

Experience
  • Publicly traded energy company in merger of equals with competitor in transaction valued at $5.2B.
  • Energy company in $14B sale of natural gas business.
  • Foam manufacturer in global acquisition, including challenge from UK Competition and Markets Authority and subsequent divestiture of UK assets.
  • Aerospace and defense company in $710M acquisition of electronics businesses.
  • Private equity firm in multiple acquisitions, including an FTC investigation into its $425M sale of portfolio company to competitor.
  • Supply chain management company in multiple acquisitions, including of a data center services provider.
  • Meat processor in civil litigation alleging conspiracy to fix and reduce employees’ wages and compensation.
  • Locomotive manufacturer in monopolization suit against competitor.
  • Agricultural equipment manufacturer in FTC investigation into “Made in USA” labeling.
  • Consumer products company in FTC investigation into “Made in USA” marketing.
  • Automobile manufacturer as key third-party witness in DOJ Antitrust Division’s first arbitration hearing to challenge a proposed merger since the 1970’s.
  • Korean fuel refiner in DOJ criminal and civil antitrust and False Claims Action investigation and subsequent plea agreement and settlement.
  • Agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation in connection with the proposed sale of a subsidiary, including in DOJ-initiated litigation to block the transaction.

Events

Insights

  • Selected for inclusion in “Legal 500 United States,” Antitrust – Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense; 2025
  • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Antitrust Law, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Recipient, “Assistant Attorney General Award,” for work on Comcast-Time Warner investigation, 2015

Spotlight

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