Stakes are high for businesses that fail to comply with antitrust laws — from federal and state criminal and civil investigations to costly civil litigation. Whether looking to grow through mergers and acquisitions or simply sustain operations in an increasingly competitive environment, businesses need highly experienced legal counsel to successfully avoid potential antitrust and trade regulation pitfalls.
Akerman’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation practice advises businesses in all facets of antitrust law. We have broad experience prosecuting and defending antitrust lawsuits nationwide, including class actions and multidistrict litigation, as well as advising clients on how to structure transactions so as to avoid potential antitrust risk. Our lawyers also have a strong record of success in responding to civil and criminal investigations brought by federal and state enforcement authorities at all levels, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the states’ attorneys general.
Recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers as a national leader in antitrust law, we have a strong track record in advising clients and litigating claims under the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the Robinson-Patman Act, the FTC Act, and state antitrust statutes. We handle cases and advise clients on a broad range of issues, including restrictions on distribution, price fixing, bid rigging, market allocation, group boycotts, refusals to deal, tying arrangements, information exchanges, price discrimination, resale price maintenance, export joint ventures, and joint purchasing/buying cooperatives.
Our team provides antitrust counseling to businesses of all sizes, and prepares and implements antitrust compliance programs tailored to each client’s specific business. We also assist clients with transactional issues related to mergers and acquisitions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino pre-merger notification, negotiations with state and federal regulators — both for clients seeking merger approval and clients opposing a merger — administrative filings, and corporate structuring.
