Antitrust Litigation

Armstrong Teasdale's Antitrust, Distribution and Franchise practice group has conducted significant civil and criminal antitrust litigation in recent years, including: conspiracy and monopolization claims under the Sherman Act, exclusive dealing, tying, requirements contracts and arrangements under the Clayton Act, and price discrimination claims under the Robinson-Patman Act. This antitrust litigation experience not only involves matters before the courts but also formal and informal investigative proceedings with the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission ranging from unfair trade practices to contested mergers and acquisitions. The antitrust lawyer’s litigation experience also includes extensive proficiency in the full panoply of business torts that typically accompany antitrust claims.

Armstrong Teasdale antitrust lawyers have the results to back up the experience. Armstrong Teasdale has represented clients in major antitrust class actions, including: the Vitamins, National Medical Residents, Genetically Modified Seeds, Textile Linen Supply, Corrugated Container, and the Specialty Steel Pipe cases. Notably, we have achieved denial of class certification in three major national price-fixing cases. The antitrust and distribution lawyers have also guided companies and key executives through grand jury and criminal proceedings, including international cartel investigations. Within the last several years, the firm has obtained a summary judgment and two defendants’ verdicts for major investor-owned and cooperative utility clients on price-squeeze monopolization and price discrimination claims brought by wholesale electric customers. Similarly, summary judgments have been obtained in two major health care antitrust actions. Our antitrust lawyers also prevailed in a summary judgment proceeding in a multi-market, complicated bid-rigging and boycott case.

Termination of franchise and dealerships or modification of distribution channels frequently involves significant antitrust analysis and litigation. The firm has extensive experience with all aspects of these cases. The antitrust and distribution lawyers represent major franchisors in class actions and matters of national significance.

In today's technology-driven environment, it is often critical to utilize computer forensics research in antitrust cases. The ability to recover deleted files, browser history, and document routing can often protect a company. Therefore, we have developed an In-house Technology Forensics Team. This unique capability allows our team to react immediately to an emergent antitrust situation.

For specific franchising and franchise litigation experience (next page)

Members of the Antitrust Litigation Practice Group

Cauwels, Teresa

Jermann, David