The Antitrust Group handles all types of civil and criminal antitrust cases, including major multidistrict litigation, class actions, and investigations by the DOJ, FTC, and state attorneys general. Our preventive counseling guides clients in the areas of product pricing, discounts, distribution arrangements, trade association activities, and risks presented by transactions.
Our industry roster is extensive. We represent manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, chemical, specialty gas, and consumer products industries, as well as banking institutions, services corporations, and real estate developers. Other clients include companies in the telecommunications, newspaper, and professional sports sectors.
Litigation
We defend charges of price-fixing, vertical and horizontal restraints, tying arrangements, monopolization, and other alleged trade restraints. We are experienced representing clients in litigation and investigations involving the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. attorneys, and state attorneys general.
Antitrust Implications of Business Combinations and Transactions
We advise on the antitrust implications of planned business combinations, acquisitions, and collaborations. We prepare pre-merger notification filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act for offerors and targets and handle "second requests" and other investigations initiated by the DOJ and FTC.
Counseling on Compliance and Policy Issues
Our antitrust attorneys offer comprehensive preventive counseling on:
- Product distribution, including tying arrangements and other distribution issues
- Product pricing, including Robinson-Patman Act price discrimination and promotional allowance provisions
- Trade association activities
In addition, we draft compliance policies and conduct training seminars for an array of businesses.
White Collar Investigations and Violations
We regularly represent publicly held corporations, officers and directors, and prominent individuals in federal and local grand jury investigations and defend them in any ensuing proceedings. Our experience covers not only alleged offenses in the antitrust area but also the entire range of white collar criminal violations.
Contact
Leslie E. John
Practice Leader
Tel 215.864.8212
johnl@ballardspahr.com