The annual adjustment of the dollar thresholds for pre-acquisition filings under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act will take effect near the end of February (exact date still pending). All transactions closing on or after the effective date will be governed by the new thresholds.

Under the new thresholds, the parties to an acquisition or merger will in most cases need to file pre-acquisition notifications with the FTC and the Department of Justice and observe the Act’s waiting periods before closing if the transaction will result in either of the following...