Much of the merger and acquisitions bar is keeping an eye on the nearly $25 billion merger between grocery store chains Kroger and Albertsons as any challenge from the Federal Trade Commission could put the agency’s new, controversial merger guidelines in the spotlight. 

“If the FTC sues to block this transaction it will definitely put the new guidelines to the test in the courts and do so in a way I don’t think the FTC is going to like,” said Michael Keeley, a partner with Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider who heads the firm’s antitrust practice.