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With the enormous growth of technology and global markets has come an exponential increase in competition in virtually every industry and product category. At the same time, the volume and complexity of the laws that govern competition – antitrust and trade regulation - have grown as well. Success in the marketplace today can carry dire consequences. Increases in market share are often accompanied by competitor (or government) litigation alleging “unfair competition” or trade secret infringement or some other competitive-related issue. The best defense – and offense – is aggressive representation by a law firm that thoroughly understands all aspects of antitrust law and compliance. Carlton Fields offers one of the strongest, most knowledgeable groups of antitrust lawyers in the country. We represent businesses and individuals in civil and criminal antitrust cases in all courts and administrative agencies. Our lawyers are at the cutting-edge of antitrust law both in and out of Florida. We have extensive experience in class action, obtaining landmark decisions that have shaped this area of the law: - We represented a manufacturer of chemical products in a national price-fixing class action, successfully obtaining a decision denying class certification (a rare result for defendants in these types of cases).
- We represented a manufacturer of fax paper in a state court indirect-purchaser action, defeating class certification in the first decision of its kind in Florida.
These are just two examples of many successful antitrust outcomes obtained by Carlton Fields lawyers. Practical Business Advice What further distinguishes our firm is that we not only know antitrust law and all of its complexities, we know business itself and the practices and antitrust issues that affect it. We advise on advertising, prospective mergers and acquisitions, government filings, pricing and marketing practices, franchising and licensing agreements, distribution practices, dealer or distributor terminations, extensions of consumer credit, market research, trade association activities, as well as bid-rigging investigations, grand jury proceedings, and trials. We focus on providing “business practical” antitrust advice that clients can use to achieve their business objectives: - We helped a national franchiser reorganize its supply chain and institute creative distribution and marketing programs.
- We assisted a major Florida utility in preparing for deregulation.
- We regularly conduct compliance and training programs and seminars for clients and their employees to guide them in their day-to-day activities.
- We educate company managers and employees about antitrust requirements, prohibitions, and changing compliance issues.
Teaching What We Practice Carlton Fields' lawyers are frequent speakers and faculty panelists on a wide variety of antitrust law issues. They also author numerous articles in prestigious publications such as the Antitrust Law Journal and the Antitrust Bulletin. Our lawyers include a member of the Inaugural Committee of The Florida Bar for Antitrust and Trade Regulation Certification; an initial board-certified specialist in Antitrust and Trade Regulation Law in the state of Florida; a member of the drafting committee that drafted the Florida Antitrust Act of 1980; a former ABA Antitrust Section Vice Chair; and former chairs and vice chairs of the ABA Antitrust Section Council. Our lawyers are active in the American Bar Association Antitrust Section and The Florida Bar antitrust committees.
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