Former DOJ Antitrust Division Leader Dr. Mark Chicu Joins Cornerstone Research as Senior Advisor, Enhancing Firm's Competition Practice

Former Acting Assistant Chief in the Antitrust Division, Department of Justice, brings additional government and private sector experience to the firm's rapidly growing competition practice.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornerstone Research, a leading provider of economic and financial consulting and expert testimony, announced today that Dr. Mark Chicu, former Acting Assistant Chief in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), has joined the firm as a senior advisor based in the Washington, DC, office.

Dr. Chicu brings extensive antitrust and competition experience, including in merger analysis and anticompetitive conduct cases. During his nearly five-year tenure at the DOJ, Dr. Chicu managed or helped lead over twenty-five investigations, analyzing proposed mergers and conduct in a variety of industries. He supervised the economics teams in high-profile cases, including the JetBlue/Spirit merger and DOJ's conduct-related case against Agri Stats, Inc. In addition, he held prominent roles in other consequential DOJ litigations, such as U.S. v. Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc.; U.S. v. United States Sugar Corporation, et al.; and U.S. and Plaintiff States v. UnitedHealth Group Inc., and Amedisys, Inc.

In addition, Dr. Chicu served as an economics expert at the DOJ, testifying on behalf of the United States in deposition and at trial in U.S. v. Booz Allen Hamilton Holdings Corp, et al.

"Mark's wide-ranging experience and work on high-profile merger and conduct cases will be valuable assets to our clients," said Kostis Hatzitaskos, cohead of Cornerstone Research's antitrust and competition practice. "He joins our deep bench of over 100 talented Ph.D. competition economists, many of whom have also served in key government positions at U.S. and international competition agencies. I am thrilled to welcome him to our superb team and to the firm."

Dr. Chicu added: "The exceptional expertise and collaborative spirit of Cornerstone Research's team, paired with its renowned network of academic affiliates, were significant factors in my decision to join. I am impressed by the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding results for clients and its forward-thinking approach to investing in technology and talent. I look forward to working with the team and helping to advance great work on important issues."

Dr. Chicu's research has focused on strategic firm interactions in pricing and investment, and he has published articles in leading economics journals. He has also coauthored a chapter in The Antitrust Revolution: Economics, Competition, and Policy, a reference book that examines the role of economic analysis in antitrust case decisions and policy.

Before joining the DOJ, Dr. Chicu worked for seven years at another leading litigation consulting firm, where he supported attorneys and experts in all phases of high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters. He earned Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in economics from Northwestern University and a B.Com. with first-class honors from the University of Melbourne.

Additional Information
Meet Mark Chicu, Senior Advisor at Cornerstone Research (Video)
5 Questions with Mark Chicu: Bringing Agency Experience to Economic Consulting (Article)
Photos available here

About Cornerstone Research
Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial consulting and expert testimony in all phases of complex disputes and regulatory investigations. The firm works with an extensive network of prominent academics and industry practitioners to identify the best-qualified expert for each assignment. With a reputation for high quality and effectiveness, Cornerstone Research has consistently delivered rigorous, state-of-the-art analysis since 1989. The firm has more than 1,000 professionals in nine offices across the United States, UK, and EU.

SOURCE Cornerstone Research