The explosive growth of technology and global markets has spurred increased competition across industries and product categories. At the same time, the volume and complexity of the antitrust and trade regulation laws governing competition have grown. In this climate, antitrust and unfair competition claims proliferate. The best defense – and offense – is aggressive representation by a law firm that thoroughly understands all aspects of antitrust law.
With its four Florida Board certified antitrust lawyers (the most of any in the state) and its top flight white collar crime and investigations practice, Carlton Fields represents businesses and individuals in civil and criminal antitrust cases in all courts and administrative agencies. We have extensive antitrust class action experience, developing innovative approaches to defending these bet-the-company cases and obtaining landmark decisions that have helped shaped the law.
Our knowledge extends beyond antitrust law and its complexities to encompass an understanding of our clients' businesses and the antitrust issues that affect them. 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, bid-rigging investigations, grand jury proceedings, and trials.
Our work in the antitrust area, both in the courtroom and in our role as advisors and counselors, includes:
- Representation of a pharmaceutical company in an antitrust tying case involving process patent rights and a branded drug.
- Representation of a manufacturer of chemical products in a national price-fixing class action, successfully obtaining a decision denying class certification.
- Representation of a major auto insurer against tying and restraint of trade claims brought on behalf of national class of 70 million policyholders claiming that they were overcharged for aftermarket crash parts.
- Representation of a manufacturer of fax paper in a state court indirect-purchaser action, defeating class certification in the first decision of its kind in Florida.
- Representation of a pre-paid telecommunications company seeking redress for alleged overcharges of LCD screens.
- Helping a national franchiser reorganize its supply chain and institute creative distribution and marketing programs.
- Helping a major Florida utility prepare for deregulation.
- Conducting compliance and training programs and seminars for clients and their employees to guide them in their day-to-day activities.
- Educating company managers and employees about antitrust requirements, prohibitions, and changing compliance issues.