America's "charter of economic freedom" exists in the antitrust laws of the United States, beginning with the Sherman Antitrust Act, which Congress passed in 1890. The Clayton and Robinson-Patman Acts provide other important rights and remedies to those who are injured in their business or property by the anti-competitive acts of others occurring in interstate commerce. The State of Florida also has passed legislation which seeks to protect intra-state competition. Our lawyers have extensive experience in state and federal courts representing both plaintiffs and defendants, as well as witnesses summoned before the federal grand jury, in matters which concern the antitrust laws. Our lawyers' experience covers a wide range of industries including, but not limited to boat manufacturing, fresh and frozen produce sales, insurance, marine engine distribution and franchising. We are also available to provide preventative counseling to businesses and trade associations to help their members better understand the pitfalls and opportunities inherent in antitrust principles.

SETTLEMENT: Conspiracy to Boycott. Scott Sheftall was lead counsel on behalf of a small casualty insurance company in an action in the federal district court in Ft. Lauderdale. Mr. Sheftall alleged that members of the title insurance industry had engaged in a state-wide conspiracy to boycott the new company's innovative product in violation of Section 1 the Sherman Antitrust Act. After years of hard-fought litigation in which the defendants' thirteen national law firms raised many defenses, including those provided under the Noerr-Pennington doctrine and the McCarron-Ferguson Act, a confidential settlement of $2 million was paid to the plaintiff.