Howard J. Sedran was a partner in the firm from 1985 until December 2017. In January 2018, he became Of Counsel to the firm. During his tenure as a partner of the firm, he was the head of the firm’s antitrust practice group. Levin Sedran & Berman are formidable litigators with experience representing clients in significant antitrust cases located throughout the United States. Howard J. Sedran has been recognized as one of the country’s leading antitrust practitioners, and he will continue to provide his skill, leadership and knowledge to the firm’s continuing antitrust practice in his new capacity as Of Counsel to the firm.

Most of the antitrust cases litigated by the firm are on a contingent basis on behalf of small and mid-sized businesses and consumers that have been harmed by price-fixing activities of their suppliers.  Federal courts have often chosen Levin Sedran & Berman and Howard J. Sedran, to serve as Co-Lead Counsel to spearhead the litigation efforts.

Examples of successful cases where the firm has served as Co-Lead counsel:

In Re Air Cargo Shipping Services Antitrust Litigation – The Court chose Howard J. Sedran to serve as one of the Co-Lead Counsel in an international cartel case alleging a global conspiracy to fix fuel surcharges and other surcharges.  The case recently settled in the amount of $1.25 billion.

In Re EPDM Antitrust Litigation – Howard J. Sedran served as Co-Lead Counsel in a case alleging global price fixing of a synthetic rubber product — EPDM.  The settlements obtained were close to 100% of single damages totaling nearly $90 million.  In Re Bulk Extruded Antitrust Litigation – Howard J. Sedran served as Co-Lead Counsel in this price-fixing case and obtained settlements exceeding 100% of single damages.

In Re Graphite Electrodes Antitrust Litigation – In this global conspiracy case alleging price fixing of a key component used in steel mills, Howard J. Sedran and Co-Lead Counsel obtained settlements of nearly $100 million for about one-third of the class members who elected not to file individual actions.  The settlements represented nearly 100% of single damages.

In Re Foundry Resins Products Antitrust Litigation – In this case, plaintiffs successfully settled litigation alleging price fixing by manufacturers of foundry resins.  Howard J. Sedran was appointed by the Court to serve as Co-Lead Counsel.

In Re Electrical Carbon Products Antitrust Litigation – The Court again chose Howard J. Sedran to serve as Co-Lead Counsel in an international cartel case.  Successful settlements were achieved for businesses that purchased these products.

In Re Commercial Explosives Antitrust Litigation – Howard J. Sedran served as Co-Lead Counsel in this price-fixing case alleging price fixing of commercial explosives. 

The firm and Howard J. Sedran have also successfully appeared before many federal courts of appeal in antitrust matters:

• Shaw v. Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Ltd., 172 F.3d 299 (3rd Cir. 1999) (satellite broadcasts of NFL Sunday Ticket not exempted under the Sports Broadcasting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1291)
• Lazy Oil Co. v. Witco Corp., 166 F.3d 581 (3rd Cir. 1999) (ethical standards for class action counsel explained).  Texas International Magnetics, Inc. v. BASF Aktiengesellschaft, 31 Fed. Appx. 738, 2002 WL 385569 (2nd Cir. N.Y.)
• In re Magnetic Audiotape Antitrust Litigation, 334 F.3d 204 (2d Cir. 2003) (foreign defendant that conspires overseas to fix U.S. prices may be subject to personal jurisdiction in United States; under Rule 44.1 F.R.Civ.P., reliance on foreign law requires reasonable notice or defense is barred)
• Lazy Oil Co. v. Witco Corp., 95 F.Supp.2d 290 (W.D. Pa. 1997).

 

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