Cartel and Criminal Antitrust Investigations

"Frequently sought by clients to handle complex multijurisdictional matters and large-scale cartel investigations across the world."

Chambers USA 2022

When a cartel investigation strikes, determining the right defense strategy can spell the difference between containment and disaster. Our lawyers have extensive experience of guiding companies through the challenges of cartel investigations while minimizing impacts on the company and its executive team.

Effective representation in a criminal investigation or prosecution requires not only knowledge of criminal statutes and rules, but long experience with the agencies and individuals that enforce them. It also requires lawyers who know how to cooperate effectively with enforcers, know how to mount a “no holds barred” defense, and know which is in the company’s best interest in any given case.

At Baker Botts, we know. Our lawyers have handled hundreds of cartel investigations in dozens of jurisdictions around the world. Our clients come to us when the very core of their business is at risk.

Not only do we have the antitrust experience, but our white collar criminal defense practice is renowned for its ability to defend companies and individuals at every stage of the process, including at trial. We have lawyers with national reputations who have handled hundreds of criminal investigations and tried dozens of white collar criminal cases before juries from coast to coast. In Europe, we are a leader in appealing decisions of the European Commission and gaining favorable results.

Our skills are in negotiating global resolutions, often involving regulatory bodies in addition to the Department of Justice and other prosecutorial offices. But when resolution is not practicable or would come at too high a cost – that is, when the stakes are highest --we have the wherewithal to put the government to its proof.

In addition to antitrust cartel defense, we have represented all kinds of parties in investigations covering a wide range of related allegations such as securities fraud and other charges, procurement fraud, foreign corrupt practices, tax fraud, bribery, price manipulation, bank fraud, money laundering, export controls violations and others. Our representations encompass all aspects of the criminal process, from grand jury investigations to post-indictment proceedings, including arraignment, suppression, other pretrial motions, trial, sentencing, appeal and post-conviction remedies.

Criminal, Administrative and Congressional Investigations
We also handle investigations on behalf of numerous public officials, including members of the U.S. Congress. These cases involve a wide range of issues, such as procurement fraud, tax fraud, health care fraud, violation of export controls, environmental violations, antitrust, perjury, false statements, securities fraud, security clearance violations, banking crimes, payments to foreign officials, commercial bribery, election and campaign finance and money laundering.