Cartel Investigation & Litigation

Latham’s cartel defense team represents market leaders against accusations of price-fixing brought by both private plaintiffs and governments.

From criminal and administrative fines to follow-on litigation brought by direct and indirect customers, we guide clients through the global risk environment to a successful resolution of claims while minimizing business disruption. As global regulators coordinate, a global defense approach is often the only approach that works. We draw on Latham’s global platform to quickly and efficiently identify and assess potential exposure, determine reliable lines of defense or, if appropriate, seek leniency.

We routinely defend clients in cartel matters that stretch across four continents, working in integrated teams that deliver rapid investigation, a consistent understanding of the facts across the entire team, and an integrated assessment of risks and opportunities across every jurisdiction. We deploy our antitrust practitioners to every corner of the world to conduct intensive internal investigations, find the facts and assess them — often uncovering conspiracy conduct fast enough to make a difference and protect the client.

Every major cartel enforcement agency in the world knows Latham and our reputation in the field. Many of our antitrust practitioners are former government enforcers with invaluable insight into agency decision-making. We regularly present convincing arguments to regulators, who then decide against prosecuting the target of a cartel investigation, grant amnesty, and reduce fines. Latham’s experience and credibility with cartel enforcers enable us to deliver optimal results in the most active and menacing areas of antitrust risk today.

Latham’s cartel defense team has a successful track record defending multinationals and their executives in some of the largest cartel investigations ever prosecuted in any industry, from automobile parts to computer components to food products.

The disclosure of a criminal cartel investigation inevitably leads to civil price-fixing class actions. Our ability to obtain dismissals on the pleadings, defeat class certification, or obtain favorable summary judgment for clients in the most challenging antitrust cases distinguishes the firm as one of the preeminent antitrust defense practices in the world.