Corporate Services

The contemporary business world is evolving at an ever-increasing rate; likewise, state and federal antitrust and trade regulation laws are in constant flux. Violations of these laws can lead to time- and resource-consuming investigations and potentially costly sanctions.

At Quarles & Brady LLP, our philosophy is simple: Ensure client compliance whenever possible and provide a strong defense when necessary.

Attorney Experience
The Antitrust, Trade Regulation & Franchising Group is made up of a core team of experienced attorneys with deep knowledge of state and federal antitrust, pricing and unfair competition law.  While our attorneys are well-versed in antitrust law as a whole, each member of the group also has specific industry knowledge, enabling us to assign attorneys to client matters in a way that maximizes the likelihood of success.

Local Knowledge, National Reach
Just as our practice has been built on the skills of our individual attorneys, our national antitrust practice is a result of our strong presence in the Firm's other offices. With offices in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin, and attorneys admitted to key state and federal bars, we can provide effective representation across the country. We understand the interrelationships between local and national issues, and can provide legal guidance that ensure compliance at every level.

Extensive Resources and Client Experience
Compliance issues and antitrust litigation often involve specific areas of legal and industry knowledge. In addition to the skills and experience of the group’s attorneys, we regularly tap the collective knowledge of our Firm’s 400 lawyers, who practice in virtually every legal discipline that affects today’s businesses. With the latest in legal services technology, we can help clients effectively address their antitrust, trade regulation and franchising concerns.

Our clients represent nearly every type of enterprise — from Fortune 100, publicly traded companies to privately helds, startups and nonprofit organizations — and in virtually every industry, including energy and utilities, consumer products, manufacturing, healthcare and technology. 

Services
The Antitrust, Trade Regulation & Franchising Group provides legal services in three key areas:

Business Planning and Structuring Counseling

• Analysis and structuring of significant business transactions, including formations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions.
• Reviews of pricing issues, including distributor pricing, resale pricing and price discrimination.
• Structuring and operation of buying groups, cooperative advertising and other promotional services and allowances.
• Counseling with regard to business relationships and licensing agreements with customers, vendors and other suppliers.
• Advice regarding dealership, distributor and franchise activities, including supply and price policies, terminations, government regulations and other issues.
• Regulatory guidance for trade associations and cooperatives.

Regulatory Compliance and Government Investigations

• Implementation and monitoring of compliance programs.
• Federal Trade Commission filings and reviews, including those related to mergers and acquisition (“HSR” filings).
• Representation and defense of antitrust and trade regulation investigations conducted by the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and State Attorneys General.

Litigation

• Federal, state and administrative litigation on behalf of defendants and plaintiff.
• Representation in civil cases and class actions.

The Antitrust, Trade Regulation & Franchising Group is committed to the philosophy that prevention is better than a cure—and that when investigations, disputes or litigation do arise, they must be addressed vigorously.

For more information on how Quarles & Brady can help you manage Antitrust, Trade Regulation & Franchising compliance more effectively, please contact Brian D. Winters at (414) 277-5149 /   or your local Quarles & Brady attorney.