CRA International, Inc. (CRAI) is a global consulting firm that offers economic, financial and business management expertise to major law firms, industries, accounting firms, and governments around the world. CRA offers litigation and regulatory support, business strategy and planning, market and demand forecasting, policy analysis, and risk management consulting. Formally known as Charles River Associates Incorporated (the company underwent a name change in 2005), the company, founded in 1965, is based in Boston, Mass. with 26 offices across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

CRA International had been retained by SABMiller (Miller) to assist in antitrust counsel in connection with a proposed joint venture with Molson Coors Brewing Company (Coors) to address any concerns raised by the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s (DoJ) Antitrust Division. The joint venture would combine the brewing and distribution assets of the two companies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, leading to a large reduction in production and distribution costs. On June 5, the DoJ closed its investigation of the proposed joint venture between Miller and Coors.

CRA also announced that two of its inside directors, Drs. Carl Shapiro and Steve Salop, resigned from its board of directors effective at the close of business on June 18. However, the two will continue in their roles as exclusive consultants to the company. The two resignations are in line with the company’s long-term objective of establishing a more independent board, as the company has been slowly transitioning towards this goal.

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