Charles River Associates® is a global consulting firm specialising in economic, financial, and management consulting services. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of analytical rigor, functional expertise, and industry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems.

Clients include national and international companies; national,  and local government agencies and foreign governments; public and private utilities; and trade associations, which operate in a number of industries. Among those industries are banking and capital markets, capital projects, chemicals, communications and media, energy and utilities, entertainment, financial services, health care, insurance, life sciences, manufacturing, metals, mining, & materials, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, retail, sports, telecommunications and transportation. 

CRA was recognized by Global Investigations Review 2020 as one of twelve leading investigations consultancies from around the world for handling sophisticated cross-border, government-driven, and internal investigations.

CRA is pleased to have several consultants and academic affiliates nominated for Global Competition Review Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate leading teams and practitioners within the antitrust community. 

CRA consultants recently published an article in PM360 magazine. The authors explain why it is essential to assume the correct balance of risk when considering vaccine procurement during a pandemic—this will help healthcare systems secure immediate supply but also support vaccine development and allow for the timely scale-up of manufacturing capacity.

On 9 November 2020, Uber completed its acquisition of Postmates after the deal was cleared by the Department of Justice (DOJ). A transatlantic CRA team provided economic antitrust advice to both parties throughout the merger control proceedings and assisted in responding to the DOJ.

On 24 November 2020, the Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR) annulled the €678m sanctions against car manufacturers that were imposed by the Italian Competition Authority (ICA). CRA provided economic advice and support to General Motors.

In a recent paper, CRA consultants discuss how the existing regulatory framework—which has focused on switching and transparency of UK retail energy markets—might be affected by the changing relationship between energy suppliers and consumers.