Robert M. Buchanan, Jr.
Bob Buchanan, leader of the Antitrust practice at Choate, helps sophisticated clients to understand and comply with the nation’s antitrust laws. His strategic perspective also helps the firm’s transaction clients to effectively address Hart-Scott-Rodino issues in connection with their merger and acquisition activities. Bob provides vertically integrated antitrust service based on years of experience – allowing clients to gain high level, relevant advice on pre-merger notification, merger process, counseling, and litigation risks all in one conversation.
Bob chairs Choate’s Ethics Committee and is the firm’s General Counsel.
Recognition
+- The National Law Journal, “Antitrust Trailblazer”
- Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year - Boston” for Antitrust Law (2019, 2022, 2025)
- Best Lawyers in America (2006-2025)
- Chambers USA - Massachusetts Band 1 for Antitrust Litigation and Counseling (2003-2024)
- The Legal 500 (2008-2022)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers
- Business Today “Top 10 Massachusetts Antitrust Lawyers Shaping Future Of Competition In 2023”
Representative Engagements
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Selected as joint antitrust counsel for three leading companies as they form a forward-thinking joint venture.
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Brought in to provide antitrust counseling to the senior leadership and legal department of a progressive company that faces various strategic discussions.
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Wrote legal standard adopted by Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts on important issue of attorney-client privilege, after being recruited by Boston Bar Association to write amicus brief.
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Has supervised several hundred Hart-Scott-Rodino filings on behalf of private equity funds and other clients.
Publications and Presentations
+- “2025 Hart-Scott-Rodino Requirements,” author, Choate Alert, January 2025
- “Evolving No-Poach Landscape Requires a Vigilant Eye,” author, Law360, September 2019
- “Massachusetts Leads the Nation on the Attorney-Client Privilege for Law Firms,” author, Boston Bar Journal
- “Hart-Scott-Rodino Changes Mean the FTC/DOJ Will Read More Strategic Planning Documents,” author, VCExperts
Professional and Community Involvement
+- Principal author of an important Opinion by the BBA Ethics Committee, which supports the BBA’s pro bono initiative to help needy individuals with bankruptcy filings.
- Past chair of the Boston Bar Association’s Ethics and Antitrust Committees, and a past member of the Nominating Committee.
Education & Credentials
+- Harvard Law School
- JD, 1985, cum laude
- Harvard University
- AB, 1982, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
+Massachusetts
U.S. Courts of Appeals, First & Eleventh Circuits
U.S. District Courts, Massachusetts & Eastern District of Michigan
Clerkships
+- Honorable Samuel Conti
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California