Spears Manning & Martini Attorneys Present at Connecticut Bar Association’s Antitrust Section Meeting
Brian Spears, Leslie Cahill, and Ivan Ladd-Smith presented to the Connecticut Bar Association’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section on May 7, 2024, on the topic of trying a criminal antitrust no-poach case. The panel discussed Spears Manning & Martini’s representation of the lead defendant in United States v. Patel, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, a case centered around an alleged agreement to allocate aerospace employees. The Antitrust Division brought the charges under the per se standard of liability, in which anticompetitive effects are presumed based on the indictment alone.
Brian, Leslie, and Ivan shared highlights of the case and trial strategy observations on motion practice, jury selection, and the admissibility of co-conspirator statements under Rule 801(d)(2)(E). The panel also shared insights on utilizing mock juries, consultants, and economic experts in mounting their defense. Ultimately, Spears Manning & Martini helped achieve the acquittal of all six defendants through a successful Rule 29 motion at the conclusion of the government’s case-in-chief.