Antitrust Lawyer

In re Plasma-Derivative Protein Therapies Antitrust Litigation

Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP plays a leading role representing putative class of hospitals and other healthcare providers in In re Plasma-Derivative Protein Therapies Antitrust Litigation, C.A. No. 09-cv-07666 in the Northern District of Illinois, and successfully defeated three motions to dismiss brought by the defendants. This is a complex, nationwide class action against manufacturers of plasma protein derivative therapies, which are proteins used to treat seriously ill patients across the United States. The action, filed on behalf of all direct purchasers of plasma-derivative protein therapies, alleges that plasma manufacturers agreed to restrict supply and therefore increase prices. 

In re Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation

Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP represents several of the nation’s largest bedding manufacturers and licensers as opt-out Plaintiffs in In re Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation,C.A. No. 10-md-02196 in the Northern District of Ohio. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants and their co-conspirators contracted, combined or conspired to fix, raise, maintain and/or stabilize prices and allocate customers for polyurethane foam in the United States. One of the defendants has already admitted to its role in the price-fixing conspiracy and sought leniency from the Department of Justice.

In re Libor-Based Financial Instruments Litigation

Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP represents a putative class of community banks in In re Libor-Based Financial Instruments Litigation, C.A. No 11-md-2262 in the Southern District of New York.  The complaint alleges substantial damages from a massive conspiracy to artificially lower the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).  LIBOR is widely used throughout the world as a benchmark to set values of financial instruments.  The complaint alleges that Defendants, who are among the world’s largest banks, secretly colluded together to report that they could borrow money at lower rates than was actually the case, thus lowering LIBOR.  This conspiracy allowed Defendants to benefit financially and to inaccurately improve the appearance of their own financial condition.  Defendants’ actions harmed members of the putative class, who made loans with interest rates (and thus their own profits) tied to the artificially lowered LIBOR. The National Law Journal recently highlighted this case.

In re: Optical Disk Drive Products Antitrust Litigation

Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP represents a putative class of purchasers of products containing optical disc drives (such as CD and DVD drives), including computers, videogame consoles, and stand-alone external optical disc drives. The action alleges that Defendants and their co-conspirators fixed and maintained an artificial price at which optical disc drives were sold in the United States. The complaint further alleges that Defendants’ unlawful conduct resulted in Plaintiff and other Class members paying artificially inflated prices for optical disc drive products during the Class period. The case is entitled In re: Optical Disk Drive Products Antitrust Litigation, C.A. No. 10-md-2143 in the Northern District of California.

In re: Musical Instruments and Equipment Antitrust Litigation

Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP represents a local musician and a putative class of musical instrument purchasers who allege that Guitar Center and other Defendants colluded on the price of certain musical instruments. The case is entitled In re: Musical Instruments and Equipment Antitrust Litigation, C.A. No. 09-md-02121 in the Southern District of California.

In re Refrigerant Compressors Antitrust Litigation

Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP represents putative classes of consumers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island who purchased refrigerant compressors, the cooling component in refrigeration units and air conditioners. The action alleges that the compressor manufacturers unlawfully agreed to fix and maintain the price of compressors, in violation of state law. Two of the defendants have entered guilty pleas to federal charges related to this conspiracy and have been sentenced to pay fines totaling over $140 million.  The case is entitled In re: Refrigerant Compressors Antitrust Litigation, C.A. No. 09-md-02042 in the Eastern District of Michigan.