One of Washington, D.C.'s leading antitrust lawyers has jumped into the fray over guitar price fixing.
Michael Hausfeld, founder of Hausfeld LLP, is one of the lawyers behind one of the latest anti-trust class actions against the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), Guitar Center and major guitar manufacturers over an alleged industry-wide plan to prop up instrument prices. Hausfeld is joined on the suit, filed Oct. 13 at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, by Hausfeld LLP partner Hilary Ratway-Scherrer and a team from Philadelphia-based Spector Roseman Kodroff & Willis, including partners Jeffrey Kodroff, Jeffrey Corrigan and Jay Cohen.
The controversy over guitar prices has been simmering since March, when the Federal Trade Commission issued a cease and desist order to NAMM after settling charges that the group had fostered anti-competitive behavior using its trade shows. Instrument makers and retailers allegedly met at the events to establish price floors for their products. Since September, lawyers have filed a series of class actions in the Southern District of California against the companies involved.
In California, Latham & Watkins partner Charles Samel has appeared for Guitar Center, the nation’s largest instrument retailer. Howrey partner David Mayer has appeared for NAMM. A team from Bryan Cave, including partners Lawrence Scarborough and J. Alex Grimsley represents guitar maker Fender.
Hausfeld could not be reached for comment.
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