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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

    • Apr 08, 2021

Alan M. Wiseman

Senior Of Counsel

Washington +1 202 662 5069

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Alan Wiseman has been recognized as one of the world’s leading competition lawyers and has concentrated his practice on antitrust class actions for the past 40 years. Alan has extensive trial and litigation experience in a broad array of antitrust and commercial matters. He represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, antitrust grand jury investigations, as well as cross-border investigations. He has argued many cases before federal district and appellate courts and administrative agencies, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • In re LIBOR-Based Financial Instruments Antitrust Litigation.  Represents Citibank in MDL antitrust class actions and numerous individual actions pending in S.D.N.Y. alleging manipulation of LIBOR interest rate benchmark in violation of antitrust and other federal, state, and common laws.  Judge Buchwald dismissed the antitrust claims.
    • In re Foreign Exchange Benchmark Rates Antitrust Litigation.  Represents Citibank in class actions alleging that various banks conspired in violation of the antitrust laws to manipulate WM/Reuters Rates affecting the pricing of foreign currency exchange transactions.
    • Alaska Electrical Pension Fund v. Bank of America, et al.  Represents Citibank in class actions alleging that various banks conspired in violation of the antitrust laws, the Commodity Exchange Act, and common law to manipulate the ISDAFIX® financial benchmark.
    • In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation.  Represents Union Pacific Railroad Company in multidistrict class action litigation alleging that major railroads fixed fuel surcharges in violation of antitrust laws.  District Court granted motion to dismiss state claims on preemption grounds. D.C. Circuit affirmed.  DC Circuit reversed class certification decision of district court and remanded for further proceedings respecting claims brought by direct shippers. .
    • Precision Associates, Inc, et al v. Panalpina World Transport (Holding) Ltd, et al.  Represents Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. in class action against freight forwarders alleging a conspiracy to fix various surcharges of freight forwarding services sold in the United States in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act.  Magistrate Judge issued a report and recommendation to dismiss claims against most freight forwarders, including Expeditors, with leave to amend.  Also represented Expeditors in various investigations by the United States and European Commission.

    • DeLoach v. Philip Morris Inc.  Represented class of 175,000 tobacco growers and quota owners alleging market allocation by the major tobacco companies and their buying agents.  Succeeded in obtaining certification of the putative class and then negotiated one of the largest settlements in antitrust class action history.
    • Arminak & Associates v. MeadWestvaco Corp.  Represented MeadWestvaco in Section 2 Sherman Act case alleging monopolization of trigger sprayers.  Motion for summary judgment partially granted. Case settled.
    • In re Household Goods Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation.  Represented American Moving and Storage Association in multidistrict class action litigation alleging price fixing of fuel surcharges in violation of the antitrust laws.  Interlocutory appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit taken.  Case then settled.
    • In re Digital Music Antitrust Litigation.  Represented Bertelsmann, Inc. in multidistrict class action litigation alleging violations of antitrust laws with respect to digital music.  Motion to dismiss granted.
    • In re K-Dur Antitrust Litigation.  Represents Schering-Plough (now Merck) in multidistrict class action litigation alleging violations of antitrust laws arising out of settlements of patent litigation with generic drug producers involving so-called reverse payments.  The Court denied indirect plaintiffs' motion to certify a class. Court granted motion for summary judgment dismissing claims of direct class.  The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the decision of the district court.  Supreme Court reversed and remanded for further proceedings.
    • In re Air Cargo Antitrust Litigation.  Represented International Air Transport Association in multidistrict class action litigation alleging price-fixing of fuel surcharges in violation of antitrust laws.  Secured IATA's dismissal by the plaintiffs.
    • In re Graphite Electrodes Antitrust Litigation.  Represented 18 steel companies in MDL antitrust litigation against graphite electrodes manufacturers alleging price fixing of graphite electrodes globally.  Case was resolved with substantial settlement.
    • In re Methal Methacrylate (MMA) Antitrust Litigation.  Represented Imperial Chemical Industries PLC in multidistrict class action litigation alleging price-fixing in violation of antitrust laws.  The Court granted motion to dismiss under Twombly, with leave to amend.
    • In re Publication Paper Antitrust Litigation.  Represented MeadWestvaco in multidistrict class action litigation alleging price fixing in the sale of magazine paper in violation of the antitrust laws.  Secured MeadWestvaco dismissal by the plaintiffs.
    • United States v. Boston Scientific Corporation.  Represented Boston Scientific Corporation at trial in an action brought by the Federal Trade Commission alleging violation of a consent order resolving acquisition issues.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1968
        • The Georgetown Law Journal, Editor
    • Johns Hopkins University, B.A., 1965
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • Illinois
    • Maryland
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. William J. McWilliams, Maryland Court of Appeals, 1968 - 1969
    Pro Bono
    • Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Member, Board of Directors (2001-2009)
    • Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, Member, Board of Trustees (2010-2012)
    Accolades
    • Alan has been recognized for many years by Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, Legal 500 US, Washington DC Super Lawyers, and Who’s Who Legal, as well as by the International Who's Who of Competition Lawyers & Economists, Practical Law Company's Competition Super League, and Washingtonian Magazine.

    Areas of Expertise

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