Selected Antitrust Cases

• Representing a manufacturer of flooring compounds for commercial construction applications in defending against counterclaims alleging secondary-line price discrimination under Section 2(a) of the Robinson-Patman Act, Dayton Superior Corp. v. Marjam Supply Co., No. 2:07-cv-05215-DRH-MLO (E.D.N.Y.); Dayton Superior Corp. v. Spa Steel Products, Inc., No. 1:08-cv-01312-FJS-RFT (N.D.N.Y.).
• Representing a manufacturer of electronic key duplication equipment in action alleging monopolization and attempted monopolization of key duplication equipment in Big Box retail stores, Hy-Ko Products Co. v. The Hillman Group, Inc., No. 5:10-cv-00992-DDD (N.D. Ohio), 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21938 (N.D. Ohio 2011) (denying motions to dismiss).
• Representing a manufacturer of high-pressure laminates in class action alleging price-fixing by manufacturers, In re High Pressure Laminates Antitrust Litigation, No. 00-MD-1368 (CLB) (S.D.N.Y.), and in related indirect purchaser actions in 11 states and the District of Columbia.
• Representing a manufacturer of magnetic iron oxide in class action alleging price-fixing by manufacturers, eMag Solutions LLC v. Toda Kogyo Corp., No. C-02-1611 (N.D. Cal.), and in related indirect purchaser actions in state courts in California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Kansas.
• Representing automobile dealers charged by Federal Trade Commission with agreeing to refrain from price advertising in violation of § 5(a) of the FTC Act, In the matter of Cleveland Oldsmobile Connection, 113 F.T.C. 1 (1990).
• Representing a food equipment manufacturer in action alleging refusal to deal in violation of § 1 of the Sherman Act, Westman Commission Co. v. Hobart Corp., 796 F.2d 1216 (10th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 486 U.S.1005 (1987).
• Representing a real estate developer in action challenging commercial zoning under the Sherman Act, Mason City Center Associates v. City of Mason City, 671 F.2d 1146 (8th Cir. 1982).

Selected Dealer or Sales Representative Termination Cases

• Representing a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment in action alleging termination of sales representative agreement in violation of Minnesota’s sales representative statute, Gulliford Sales Co. v. Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc., No. 19-CV-00237 (D. Minn.)
• Representing a manufacturer of wireless two-way radios in action alleging termination of sales representative agreement in violation of California’s Independent Wholesale Sales Representative Contractual Relations Act of 1990, The Sales Group, Inc. v. RELM Wireless Corp., No. 2:17-cv-02347-JAK-FFM (C.D. Cal.).
• Representing a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment in action alleging termination of sales agency agreement in violation of the Texas equipment dealer statute, Relco Military Sales, Inc. v. Husqvarna Outdoor Products, Inc., No. 3:09-cv-1350 (N.D. Tex.).
• Representing a manufacturer of material handling equipment in action alleging wrongful termination of dealership under Minnesota Heavy and Utility Equipment Manufacturers and Dealers Act and Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law, Minnesota Supply Co. v. Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc., 822 F.Supp.2d 896 (D. Minn. 2011) (granting motion to dismiss).
• Representing a manufacturer of high pressure laminates against claims of price discrimination and other violations of Massachusetts General Laws ch. 93A in connection with termination of a distributor, Prime Plywood & Panel, Inc. v. Formica Corp., No. 09-cv-30212 (D. Mass.).
• Representing a manufacturer of material handling equipment in action by terminated dealer alleging violation of Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, To-Am Equipment Co. v. Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc., 152 F.3d 658 (7th Cir. 1998).
• Representing a boat manufacturer in action for termination of dealership in alleged violation of ch. 93A of Massachusetts General Laws, Atlantic Sport Boat Sales, Inc. v. Cigarette Racing Team, Inc., 695 F.Supp. 58 (D. Mass. 1988).

Selected Other Business Cases

• Representing a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment in action challenging constitutionality of New Hampshire legislation regulating the relationship between manufacturers and their dealers, Deere & Co. v. State of New Hampshire, 130 A.3d 1197 (N.H. 2015), cert. denied, 137 S.Ct. 39 (2016).
• Representing a manufacturer of metal forgings for heavy-duty truck axles in action alleging misappropriation by competitor of trade secrets about manufacturing processes, King-Indiana Forge, Inc. v Millennium Forge, Inc., No. 1:07-cv-0341-JDT-WTL (S.D. Ind.).
• Representing a material handling equipment dealer in action by competing dealer alleging tortious interference in dealer’s relationship with supplier, DuPage Forklift Service, Inc. v. Material Handling Services, Inc., 744 N.E.2d 845 (Ill. 2001).
• Representing a manufacturer of heating and air conditioning control equipment in action against former employees and new employer for misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of noncompetition covenants, Honeywell Inc. v. Brewer-Garrett Co., 1998 U.S. App. LEXIS 6017 (6th Cir. 1998).
• Representing a manufacturer of heating and air conditioning control equipment in action against competitor for false representations about environmental control equipment for commercial buildings in violation of Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, Honeywell Inc. v. Control Solutions, Inc., 33 U.S.P.Q. 2d 2017 (N.D. Ohio 1994).
• Representing a paint manufacturer in action against competitor for misappropriation of secret latex paint formulations, Glidden Company v. Sherwin-Williams Co., No. C84-3836 (N.D. Ohio).
• Representing a manufacturer of roll-forming equipment in action by competitor for alleged misappropriation of proprietary information about manufacturing processes, InterRoyal Corp. v. Sponseller, 889 F.2d 108 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 494 U.S. 1091 (1989).
• Representing a restaurant franchisee in action by competitor alleging false advertising under Section 43(a) of Lanham Act, Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. v. Elby’s Big Boy, 670 F.2d 642 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 916 (1982).

Advising on Antitrust, Distribution and Competition Matters

• Drafting and advising on the terms of dealership, distributorship and sales representative agreements for clients engaged in the manufacture or supply of computer circuit boards, wireless two-way radios, industrial electric motors, welding equipment, high-pressure laminates, commercial food equipment, plumbing supplies, cabinetry, chemicals, outdoor power equipment, material handling equipment, and construction equipment.
• Advising manufacturing clients on termination or appointment of dealers and distributors under the laws of all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, other nations and the European Union.
• Advising manufacturing clients on international distribution issues, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and foreign laws prohibiting bribery and corruption in connection with the sale of goods.
• Advising manufacturing clients on the legality of product distribution restraints under state and federal antitrust laws and European Union competition law.
• Advising manufacturing clients on the legality of product pricing and discounting under state and federal price discrimination laws.