Former DOJ senior leader Mark Chicu joins Cornerstone Research

Mark Chicu, PhD, former acting assistant chief in the antitrust division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), has joined the competition practice of Cornerstone Research, a San Francisco-headquartered economic and financial consulting firm, as a senior advisor.

Based in Washington, DC, Chicu brings more than a decade of consulting and government experience in antitrust and competition.

He most recently spent over four years at the DOJ, where he supervised economics teams in high-profile cases such as the Jet Blue/Spirit merger and a conduct-related case against Agri Stats Inc. Chicu also testified as an economic expert on behalf of the US in the deposition and trial for US vs Booz Allen Hamilton Holdings Corp, et al.

Prior to his tenure at the DOJ, Chicu spent seven years with Bates White Economic Consulting, where he was managing economist.

Chicu holds doctoral and master’s degrees in economics from Northwestern University and a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Melbourne in Australia.

“Mark’s wide-ranging experience and work on high-profile merger and conduct cases will be valuable assets to our clients," said Kostis Hatzitaskos, co-head of Cornerstone Research’s antitrust and competition practice. "He joins our deep bench of over 100 talented PhD competition economists, many of whom have also served in key government positions at US and international competition agencies.”

Founded in 1989, Cornerstone provides economic and financial analysis and expert testimony to law firms, corporations, and government agencies involved in complex litigation and regulatory proceedings.

The firm has more than 1,000 professionals across nine offices in the US, UK, and Europe.

“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,” Chicu said. “I look forward to working with the team and helping to advance great work on important issues."

Cornerstone earlier this summer promoted seven team members to senior vice president and 15 to principal.