Hans W. Friederiszick is a director and one of the founders of E.CA Economics. Dr Friederiszick has more than 20 years of experience in advising clients in all fields of competition economics (cartels, mergers, abuse of a dominant position and state aid cases) and has led teams of economists in international antitrust investigations. He was part of the first chief economist team of DG COMP. Mr Friederiszick is a research fellow at ESMT Berlin.

How do you stay current with developments in antitrust law and economics, and integrate these into your work as a testifying expert?

Actually, I am kind of old school in this regard - I love reading books and academic articles on relevant topics. I also listen to podcasts, such as "The Mixtape" by Prof. Scott Cunningham. But my biggest learning comes from actual cases. It is exciting to work on projects with economic teams from a variety of backgrounds, some of whom are fresh out of university, and others who are experienced practitioners and academics. It is great to learn from these diverse teams.

In your experience, what are the most common challenges that arise during the litigation process, and how do you address them?

Effective communication requires reduction, providing the essence of an argument. This is different from academic communication, where you can often have a richer argument, balancing various effects and accepting complexity. It is a question of seniority to know how to deliver a complex argument in simple terms without misrepresenting it.

What do you consider to be your greatest strength and how has this strength contributed to your success?

I am fascinated by translating detailed matters into simple and intuitive arguments. Once problems are broken down to their skeleton, you can start putting the pieces together in new, creative ways. The ability to abstract allows me to interact with top notch economic academics, field specialists and lawyers and judges. Abstraction and creativity are the pillars of my professional success.

Can you discuss any areas of antitrust law and economics that you believe are ripe for further research or development, and why?

The biggest revolution in empirical economics has been the idea of causal interference. This revolution has had a profound impact on the way empirical evidence is brought in competition cases. Diff-in-Diff approaches have become central; ex-post evaluation, be it of a merger, an antitrust case or a state aid case, has become common. In the long run, an immense body of knowledge will become available for future policy design and decision-making in specific cases.

What role, if any, do non-economic factors such as politics or public opinion play in antitrust investigations and litigation, and how do you address these factors in your work?

Politics and public opinion are important in shaping competition law and policy. This is important and I regularly comment on it in academic publications. In cases I do apply these broader principles and standards. However, I am an economic expert and I see my role in case work as providing expert advice on economic matters only.

What advice would you give to young economists who are interested in pursuing a career in antitrust economics and expert witness work?

Cases, cases, cases - experience is a key ingredient of learning in our field. And you should be motivated by the economic substance and importance of the cases you work on, not by career concerns. This is a highly competitive field - if you do a great job as an economist, success will follow.

Can you discuss any recent cases or investigations that you think will have significant implications for the future of antitrust law or economics?

Obviously, cases and investigations involving major technology companies such as Google, Amazon and Facebook have been at the forefront of antitrust discussions. The outcomes of these cases could shape the regulatory approach to digital markets, including issues related to market dominance, privacy, competition in online advertising, and potential anti-competitive behaviour.

Finally, looking back on your career so far, what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishments or contributions to the field of antitrust economics?

My early work in state aid had a significant impact on the way state aid cases were reviewed and opened the door to economic thinking in this area. Economic analysis in regional markets, be it cement, other products in the construction industry or petrol stations, was a recurring theme throughout my career. Pushing the boundaries of what is feasible from a data perspective has been, and still is, great fun. I am also proud to have built up the leading German competition economics practice. Most of our other international competitors are Anglo-Saxon.