The Role of Insider Witnesses in Price-Fixing Cases

Proving price-fixing requires more than circumstantial evidence. Plaintiffs must demonstrate that competitors agreed to fix prices, a fact often hidden behind corporate walls. Insider witnesses provide:

• Direct testimony of meetings, communications, or agreements between co-conspirators
• Contextual understanding of pricing strategies and deviations from competitive norms
• Confirmation of internal documents that corroborate allegations of collusion
• Insight into corporate culture and motivations behind illegal agreements

Without this human intelligence, many price-fixing cases risk being dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Challenges in Securing Insider Witnesses

Identifying and engaging insider witnesses in antitrust cases is fraught with challenges:

• Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs): Many ex-employees may feel bound by NDAs, creating reluctance to speak.
• Fear of retaliation: Potential witnesses may worry about industry blacklisting or legal repercussions.
• Corporate secrecy: Companies involved in collusion work diligently to keep their activities hidden, complicating discovery efforts.
• Complexity of roles: Not all insiders are immediately identifiable or aware of their potential value to a case.

Stratejic Relationships overcomes these challenges through:

• Proven methodologies for locating knowledgeable ex-employees and industry insiders.
• Careful vetting to ensure relevance and reliability.
• Guidance to legal teams on ethical and effective engagement with witnesses.

Our Process for Supporting Antitrust Attorneys

We streamline the investigative process for antitrust lawyers through:

1. Case Review: We work closely with counsel to understand the nature of the alleged collusion and potential corporate players involved.
2. Targeted Research: Using proprietary tools and databases, we locate former employees or industry insiders with relevant experience or knowledge.
3. Verification: We ensure that the identified individuals are suitable for contact, confirming their employment history and potential connection to the alleged conduct.
4. Delivery: We provide verified contact information, enabling attorneys to approach witnesses efficiently and ethically.

Our approach saves attorneys significant time and resources, while maximizing the likelihood of obtaining valuable testimony.

Case Study: Strengthening a Multi-Million Dollar Price-Fixing Claim

In a recent price-fixing litigation, a plaintiff company alleged that several suppliers colluded to inflate prices artificially over a decade. However, documentary evidence alone was insufficient to prove coordination.

Through Stratejic Relationships, the legal team identified two ex-sales executives from one of the defendant firms. These individuals provided pivotal testimony about off-the-record meetings and internal directives encouraging collusion. Their testimony led to a favorable settlement exceeding $50 million.

This case underscores the transformative power of insider witnesses in antitrust litigation and the value of professional witness identification services.

Key Benefits of Partnering with Stratejic Relationships

Trial lawyers and law firms engaged in antitrust litigation benefit from our:

• Expertise: Decades of experience in strategic witness identification.
• Efficiency: Timely delivery of verified contact information within budget constraints.
• Nationwide Reach: Extensive network across industries and geographic regions.
• Ethical Integrity: Commitment to compliance with legal and professional standards.
• Discretion: Sensitive handling of all investigations to protect confidentiality.

Our founder, Paul Littrell, Jr., and his team have established a reputation for excellence, supporting some of the nation’s leading law firms in their most challenging cases.

Beyond Antitrust: Additional Legal Support

While antitrust litigation is a significant focus, Stratejic Relationships also excels in:

• Product Liability: Uncovering evidence of product foreseeability through ex-employee insights.
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death: Providing leads for cases involving elder abuse, trucking disasters, and premises liability.
• Employment Law: Identifying witnesses for wage and hour disputes and assisting with lead plaintiff replacements.
• Consumer Class Actions: Locating class representatives and ensuring proper settlement distribution.

Our comprehensive suite of services makes us an indispensable ally for trial lawyers across a wide range of practice areas.

Trusted by Leading Law Firms

Our work has earned the trust of renowned legal professionals:

• “Paul is an absolute lightning rod when it comes to investigations that produce fact witnesses who possess relevant information about, and interest in, my firm’s cases.” — Terry E. Richardson, Jr., Esq., Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC
• “Paul and his team delivered exactly what they said they would: a list of impacted fact witnesses and their addresses relevant to our case within a given state, and they did so within our budget.” — John W. Barrett, Esq., Bailey Glasser, LLP

These endorsements reflect our unwavering commitment to enhancing case outcomes for our clients.

The Stratejic Advantage in Antitrust Litigation

Our success is driven by:

• A personalized approach tailored to each client’s litigation strategy.
• A deep understanding of complex industries and corporate structures.
• Relentless pursuit of evidence that strengthens legal claims.

With Stratejic Relationships on your team, your firm gains a competitive edge in uncovering the critical human intelligence that can make or break an antitrust case.

Contact Stratejic Relationships Today

If your firm is engaged in antitrust litigation and requires assistance uncovering insider witnesses to support your price-fixing case, contact Stratejic Relationships today.

We stand ready to help you expose corporate collusion and achieve justice for your clients.

Stratejic Relationships: Your trusted partner in strategic witness identification for antitrust litigation.