Antitrust/Trade Regulation

Seyfarth Shaw’s antitrust and trade regulation attorneys have the experience and in-depth knowledge to help clients address the increased enforcement of antitrust principles. In particular, we work with clients to understand and respond to the application of these principles to emerging technologies, the Internet, and telecommunications, which affect virtually every industry.

We have extensive experience in handling sophisticated and complex antitrust problems in industries as diverse as health care, automotive, pharmaceuticals, defense, construction, music and entertainment, agriculture, oil and gas, and soft drinks, among others. Understanding the intersection of traditional and new economies, our attorneys create innovative solutions to the most challenging antitrust and trade-regulation problems. We help clients determine the best approach to resolve and prevent disputes and enforcement actions, whether that involves aggressive litigation or alternative dispute resolution options.

Antitrust and related trade-regulation matters covered by our litigation practice include the following:

• Analysis of mergers and acquisitions, including compliance with Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification requirements.
• Analysis of Internet developments, including business-to-business and business-to-consumer exchanges and related online activities. 
• Collaborations among competitors, including joint ventures and other alliances. 
• Defense and prosecution of private treble-damage civil actions, including antitrust class actions. 
• Analysis of distribution practices including distribution networks, pricing programs, promotional and cooperative advertising programs, distribution restrictions and franchising relationships. 
• Representation of trade associations, including legislative and governmental affairs. 
• Licensing of intellectual property rights and related technology licensing, transfers or exchanges. 
• Representation of clients involved in civil and criminal antitrust investigations by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general, including grand juries and criminal trials and administrative proceedings. 
• Negotiating with federal and state antitrust enforcement agencies.