What Is a Direct Purchaser Case?

A “Direct Purchaser” refers to a business or individual who bought a product or service straight from a manufacturer or supplier—without intermediaries—at a price allegedly inflated due to unlawful market activity.

Common examples include:

• Price-fixing in pharmaceutical sales
• Monopolization of digital platforms or software
• Cartel behavior in commodities or industrial goods
• Bid-rigging in government procurement or construction

In these cases, the legal burden is steep. Plaintiffs must not only prove the occurrence of an antitrust violation, but also establish a direct transactional link between the misconduct and their economic injury.

That’s where our investigative team becomes essential.

Strategic Investigations That Strengthen Legal Theory

Building a successful Direct Purchaser claim requires synergy between legal theory and factual evidence. Our investigators operate within the strategic framework set by litigators, using tailored methodologies to:

• Identify patterns of collusion across competitors
• Analyze purchase orders, invoices, and internal pricing data
• Trace communications that suggest anticompetitive coordination
• Locate whistleblowers or inside sources willing to cooperate
• Support expert economists with fact development

Whether through document review, source interviews, or digital trace analysis, we approach each case with the intention of aligning facts with legal claims to reinforce admissibility and persuasion in court.

Supporting Complex Class Action Litigation

Direct Purchaser cases often develop into multi-district litigation (MDL) or large-scale class actions. Our team is equipped to handle high-volume case demands by offering:

• Early-stage risk assessment and vetting of named plaintiffs
• Coordinated investigative work across jurisdictions
• Ongoing support through discovery and expert report preparation
• Compliance-driven documentation for litigation hold and chain-of-custody procedures

This level of detail ensures every part of the case—from complaint drafting to trial presentation—is built on a foundation of tested, legally sound facts.

Collaborating with Law Firms to Uncover Market Misconduct

Stratejic Relationships is not just a service provider—we’re a strategic partner embedded in the pursuit of justice. We operate in step with law firm teams, often participating in joint strategy sessions and providing litigation consulting across all phases.

When working on Direct Purchaser cases, our goals are simple:

• Uncover unlawful pricing mechanisms
• Clarify the commercial harm to plaintiffs
• Bridge the gap between investigative insight and courtroom success

By translating investigative findings into actionable legal content, we help law firms move cases forward with confidence and clarity.

Ethical and Discreet Information Gathering

Antitrust defendants often fight back with aggressive legal teams and deep resources. Our investigators are trained to operate ethically and discreetly, ensuring every piece of intelligence we gather meets evidentiary standards and withstands scrutiny.

From sourcing internal memos and tracking down anonymous tips, to verifying regulatory filings and analyzing vertical integration structures, we ensure every lead supports the broader litigation narrative.

Why Choose Stratejic Relationships?

• Legal fluency in antitrust and economic torts
• Multi-industry expertise across pharmaceuticals, technology, retail, and manufacturing
• Proven track record supporting class actions and MDLs
• Team trained in compliance-sensitive investigations and economic documentation

When litigation stakes are high and corporate misconduct is carefully concealed, Stratejic Relationships delivers the clarity and strategic support necessary to prevail.

Let’s Investigate with Purpose.
Partner with Stratejic Relationships to strengthen your Direct Purchaser litigation strategy through rigorous investigation and data-driven legal collaboration.