The Value of What Wasn’t Documented

In antitrust litigation, the most damning evidence is rarely found in discovery folders—it lives in memory, hallway conversations, and deliberately unsent emails. Price-fixing, bid-rigging, and market allocation schemes are almost never committed in writing. They rely on coordinated silence and carefully curated ambiguity. But silence breaks when former employees step forward.

At Stratejic Relationships, we specialize in identifying ex-employees with insider knowledge of how companies communicate, coordinate, and conspire—especially when those actions undermine competitive markets and harm direct purchasers.

The Role of Ex-Employees in Antitrust Investigations

In major class actions and multidistrict litigation (MDL), locating an insider who can:

• Explain how competitors stayed "in sync"
• Identify who was in the room when decisions were made
• Clarify code language used to mask unlawful discussions
• Reveal internal protocols for communicating sensitive price data

…can shift the strength of a claim significantly. Unlike external economic analysis—which shows effects—ex-employees reveal the cause.

These individuals are especially critical when:

• The conduct occurred years ago
• The company underwent restructuring or leadership turnover
• Documents alone do not confirm collusion, but behavior suggests it

Types of Cases We Support

We’ve helped litigation teams in the following areas:

• Price-Fixing in Manufacturing or Commodities (e.g., automotive parts, food ingredients, industrial chemicals)
• Bid Rigging in Public Contracts (e.g., construction, defense, IT infrastructure)
• Market Allocation Between Competitors (e.g., geographic or client-based non-compete agreements)
• Monopolistic Schemes Shielded by Informal Agreements

While class certifications and damages often depend on statistical modeling, theories of liability thrive when grounded in human testimony—especially from those who saw internal policy discussions or witnessed informal “understandings” between competitors.

The Stratejic Approach to Finding Insider Antitrust Witnesses

Our process is designed for high-stakes litigation involving corporate secrecy, overlapping jurisdictions, and years-long investigative timelines:

1. We Research Industry Patterns
   We start by understanding your case’s target industries and likely employee segments with access to price, sales, or compliance operations.
2. We Isolate Key Departments and Job Titles
   This includes former sales directors, pricing analysts, compliance officers, and supply chain executives.
3. We Source and Vet Former Insiders
   Using ethical research and employment verification, we locate potential witnesses, assess their relevance, and confirm their willingness to speak.
4. We Deliver Verified Profiles With Context
   You receive contact information, relevant timelines, and a strategic summary—helping you decide how and when to engage the witness.

Case Study: A Whisper Becomes a Settlement

In a cross-border chemicals case, plaintiffs suspected years of coordination between two suppliers. Internal communications were inconclusive, but pricing data showed an unusual level of alignment.

Stratejic Relationships located a former logistics executive who had been present for quarterly meetings where volume caps and customer segmentation were “discussed informally.” While he had no direct documentation, his recollections, names, and descriptions led plaintiffs to identify other witnesses—and ultimately gain court approval to expand discovery. This pivot led to a confidential but substantial settlement months later.

Why Trial Lawyers Choose Stratejic in Antitrust Matters

• We don’t stop at obvious leads—we dig beneath org charts and public records to uncover real decision-makers.
• We understand privilege, timing, and risk—everything we do is built to support your litigation without jeopardizing ethics or strategy.
• We deliver fast, focused, and fully vetted contacts—especially valuable in multidistrict litigation where coordination is everything.

Our firm has supported antitrust efforts involving Fortune 500 companies, international cartels, and federal/state regulatory interest. We know how to navigate these sensitive, high-stakes cases.

Conclusion: Real People Still Win Big Cases

Algorithms detect patterns. Lawyers apply law. But people tell the story. In antitrust litigation, finding the person who witnessed the planning, the off-the-record call, or the unspoken rule can make all the difference.

Stratejic Relationships helps you find those people—quietly, quickly, and effectively.

If you're preparing or litigating an antitrust case and need strategic witness development, we’re here to support your next move.