Prerna Rakheja, PhD

Prerna Rakheja specializes in empirical analysis of antitrust and competition issues. She has extensive experience conducting economic and statistical analyses related to alleged collusion, monopolization, and competitive risks in potential mergers. Her work spans diverse industries including media, airlines, freight, food, oil and gas, concrete, and finance. She works closely with testifying experts and attorneys through all phases of merger transactions and litigation, and she excels at simplifying complex econometric findings and delivering clear and accessible insights to non-technical audiences, whether through written reports, presentations, or discussions.

Prerna has also made valuable contributions to fostering a collaborative and inclusive firm culture. As a member of the firm’s International Network, she spearheaded the launch of fall and spring festivals, which have since become a cherished annual tradition at the firm. Drawing from her personal experience, Prerna identified the absence of caregiver leave provisions for professional staff, and her advocacy led to the introduction of a new firmwide policy—a change that has had a meaningful impact on employee well-being. Additionally, Prerna plays a key role in recruiting efforts and providing mentorship for professional staff. 

Prerna received her PhD in Economics from Johns Hopkins University, where she taught graduate and undergraduate courses in game theory, finance, and microeconomic theory. Her doctoral research focused on better understanding the decision making of individuals nearing retirement in different economic settings.

PhD, Economics, Johns Hopkins University

MSc, Quantitative Economics, Indian Statistical Institute

BA, Economics, University of Delhi

• Co-led the Bates White team responding to civil investigative demands issued by the Department of Justice to a firm in the concrete industry.
• Led the Bates White team in the risk assessment of a potential merger between firms in the offshore oil drilling industry.
• Co-led the team supporting the testifying expert in the LIBOR-based Financial Instruments Antitrust Litigation—The OTC Action on behalf of an opt-out plaintiff class that filed a class action lawsuit against the global banks that set US Dollar LIBOR. 
• On behalf of the plaintiffs in In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation, developed the empirical analysis to support liability claims in Prof. Doug Bernheim’s expert report.
• On behalf of JetBlue Airways in United States et al. v. JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, led the analysis of the likely competitive effects of the proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit. 
• Assisted Prof. Joseph Farrell on behalf of Spotify in the Phonorecords IV rate determination proceeding before the Copyright Royalty Board.