Ronald F Wick
Partner, Washington, D.C.
Ronald F Wick
Partner, Washington, D.C.
Ronald F. Wick focuses his practice on litigation concerning trade regulation, antitrust, and commercial disputes. He has represented clients at the Federal Trade Commission, in the courts of Maryland and the District of Columbia, and in federal courts across the country. In addition to his litigation practice, Ron advises clients on antitrust compliance, pricing discrimination, premerger notification issues, and other compliance issues.
Ron’s trade regulation practice encompasses a variety of areas. He has defended clients against allegations of price-fixing and attempted monopolization under the Sherman Act, price discrimination under the Robinson-Patman Act, and unfair competition and false and deceptive advertising under the Federal Trade Commission Act. He regularly advises and represents clients contemplating mergers and acquisitions, including by handling premerger notification filings with the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and by working with both agencies to resolve potential antitrust issues arising out of mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.
Ron regularly assists corporate clients in developing antitrust compliance policies, forming joint ventures, and evaluating sales and marketing initiatives for compliance with the antitrust laws. He is also experienced in counseling and representing trade associations.
In addition to his antitrust practice, Ron has litigated a variety of commercial disputes in state and federal courts. His litigation experience includes matters as varied as commercial asset-based lending arrangements, obstetric malpractice, insurance disputes, a challenge to federal higher education regulations, the attempted attachment of assets of a foreign government, and litigation under the False Claims Act. He has litigated cases in a broad range of areas, including intercollegiate athletics, medical equipment, longshore labor, public utilities, international shipping, and aftermarket auto parts.
Prior to joining Cohen & Gresser, Ron was a Partner in Cozen O’Connor’s Washington, D.C. office. Ron received his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University.
Ron is actively involved in the ABA Antitrust Law Section and currently serves in its leadership. He has been recognized in The Legal 500’s antitrust category and has been named one of Washington, D.C.’s Super Lawyers each year since 2017. Ron has also been recognized by Lawdragon in the publication’s 2022 list of 500 Leading Litigators in America for his work in the antitrust and competition space.
Ronald F. Wick focuses his practice on litigation concerning trade regulation, antitrust, and commercial disputes. He has represented clients at the Federal Trade Commission,…
Education
Georgetown University Law Center (J.D. 1992); Cornell University (A.B. 1986)
Bar Admissions
District of Columbia; State of Maryland; U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, District of Maryland, Eastern District of Michigan, and Eastern District of Wisconsin; U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Fourth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits
Activities and Affiliations
Vice Chair, American Bar Association (Antitrust Section, Antitrust and Consumer Protection Law Daily Digest Committee)
Antitrust Litigation
Obtained jury verdict and affirmance on appeal for aftermarket auto parts retailer against allegations that it unlawfully induced discriminatory pricing in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act.
Obtained dismissal of antitrust complaint against a multi-employer collective bargaining association alleging that collective bargaining agreement unlawfully excluded nonsignatories from the market, including dismissal of allegations pending against co-defendant for more than two years before joinder of client.
Obtained summary judgment and affirmance on appeal on behalf of a Puerto Rican newspaper and its subsidiary in a lawsuit that alleged an unlawful tying arrangement involving advertising and commercial printing markets.
Defended airline in an antitrust class action brought by travel agents alleging conspiracy to fix travel agent commissions.
Obtained summary judgment and affirmance on appeal for major auto glass manufacturer against competitor’s allegations of a conspiracy to control the auto glass market and exclude competition.
Represented an asphalt manufacturer in a lawsuit against two competing road paving contractors that alleged bid rigging and unfair competition in violation of California antitrust and unfair competition laws as well as libel, product disparagement, and Lanham Act claims.
Obtained dismissal of trade organization from lawsuit alleging conspiracy to depress demand for aluminum worldwide.
Obtained summary judgment and affirmance on appeal for a Canadian potash producer against allegations of a price fixing conspiracy.
Read MoreAntitrust Transactions
Regularly advise clients regarding potential antitrust implications of proposed mergers and acquisitions and have filed dozens of pre-merger notifications with the FTC and DOJ under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, including:
- Represented a leading producer of hybrid seed corn in acquisition by major chemical conglomerate.
- Represented a leading manufacturer of overhead doors in acquisition by a competitor.
- Represented a leading paper and packaging manufacturer in a DOJ nvestigation of a joint venture with a competitor.
- Represented a leading cable television network as a third-party witness in the DOJ’s investigation of AT&T’s acquisition of MediaOne.
- Represented a regional drugstore chain in FTC investigation of acquisition by national competitor.
Antitrust Counseling
Regularly draft and implement antitrust compliance programs and provide antitrust compliance training for companies.
Regularly provide antitrust advice to a wide variety of clients regarding distributor and resale pricing, price discrimination, bundled and discounted pricing, potential mergers and joint ventures, collaborations and communications with competitors, and other issues with antitrust implications.
Served as outside antitrust counsel and provided antitrust advice to a wide variety of trade associations in industries including vertical lift, metals, household cleaning products, financial services, concrete pavement, and residential construction.
Commercial Litigation
Obtained defense verdict at trial on behalf of a commercial asset-based lending company in a lawsuit brought by another creditor of the same law firm debtor alleging improper debt collection.
Represented an association of trade and vocational schools in a challenge to Department of Education regulations regarding federal funding for career schools.
Obtained defense verdict on behalf of a health insurance company in a lawsuit brought by a policyholder alleging improper failure to pay.
Represented an international manufacturer of transit buses in civil False Claims Act litigation regarding allegations of falsified customs records.
Represented a major metropolitan daily newspaper in a censure proceeding by a leading association of public opinion researchers, persuading it to close its investigation.
Represented industrial goods company in International Trade Commission anti-dumping proceeding regarding forklifts and other heavy industrial materials.
Defended a non-profit corporation in a lawsuit under the Colorado RICO and other state statutes regarding ownership and valuation of a golf resort.
Read More
Recognized Lawyers
• Mark S. Cohen – Commercial Litigation, including Real Estate, Antitrust, and White Collar
• Melissa H. Maxman – Litigation, including White Collar and Antirust
• John Roberti – Antitrust & Competition Law, including Litigation
• Ronald F. Wick – Antitrust & Competition Litigation
Lawdragon is a legal media company providing news content and editorial features, including guides to the nation’s leading lawyers. This is Lawdragon’s first guide dedicated to attorneys principally representing corporations and other organizations in litigating claims involving Antitrust, Securities, Financial, M&A, Intellectual Property and Patents, Product Liability, Mass Tort, White Collar, Government Investigations, and Energy disputes.
Melissa Maxman serves as the Co-Chair of the Exemptions and Immunities Committee, which addresses judicially created immunities and serves as a resource for information on the scope of antitrust laws. She also serves as a Vice Chair for the Podcast Programming Committee, where she serves as a frequent host of the ABA’s Antitrust Law Section’s podcast, Our Curious Amalgam.
John Roberti is serving as the Technology Officer for the ABA’s Antitrust Law Section. As one of 15 Section officers, John serves on the Antitrust Section’s cabinet and is responsible for integrating technology solutions into the mission of the Section.
Ron Wick is Vice Chair of the Antitrust-Consumer Protection Law Daily Digest Committee, which publishes a daily compendium of antitrust and consumer protection news from around the world to keep the Section's membership apprised of development and analysis in their field.
About Cohen & Gresser: Cohen & Gresser is an international law firm with offices in New York, Paris, Washington, DC, and London. We have an outstanding record of success in high-stakes and high-profile litigation, investigations, and transactional work for our clients, including major financial institutions and companies across the world. Our attorneys have superb credentials, and are committed to providing the efficiency and personal service of a boutique law firm along with the quality and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of the best firms in the world. The firm has been recognized in a wide range of publications, including Chambers and The Legal 500.
The guide highlights C&G’s “elite group of practitioners” and use of advanced machine learning techniques and notes that the firm “handle[s] cases that are every bit as complex and challenging as big, national law firms.” Commentators noted that the firm “punches way above its weight” in litigation and investigation matters.
C&G Co-Founder Mark S Cohen is one of only two lawyers in the United States to be recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in both Securities Litigation: Defense and Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense. Commentary from The Legal 500 recognizes Mark as a “top-tier advocate” who is “at the top of the profession” and “can litigate with the best of them.”
For the first time, C&G’s Antitrust practice has been recognized in Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense for its handling of class action cases concerning allegations of cartel behavior, monopolization, and other exclusionary conducts. The Legal 500 cites the leadership of Melissa H Maxman and the addition of “heavyweight” lawyer John Roberti as key reasons for the practice’s recognition.
C&G is again recognized in the Advice to Individuals and Advice to Corporates categories of the Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense section. The Legal 500 commentary notes that the practice is led by “partners with deep experience who obtain excellent results for clients” and is “well placed to handle transatlantic cases” with offices in New York, Paris, and London, and has “particular expertise in financial crime, antitrust enforcement, public corruption, and tax issues.”
The guide has also recognized C&G once again in the General Commercial Disputes category, praising the practice for showing the “discipline and focus necessary to win a case.” Testimonials from the guide highlight the team’s ability to “handle large and complex matters” with “experienced people, good judgment,” and “better use of technology.”
For the 10th consecutive year, C&G has been recognized in the Securities Litigation: Defense category for the firm’s “expertise in the financial services sector” and “recognized trial expertise” in cross-border and domestic securities litigation and enforcement proceedings. The Legal 500 emphasizes the team’s “strong practitioners” and “attentiveness to clients” in the 2022 guide.
Recognized Practices:
- Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense
- Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals
- Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates
- General Commercial Disputes
- Securities Litigation: Defense
Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense
- Melissa H Maxman
- John Roberti
- Ronald F Wick
- Jonathan S Abernethy
- Jason Brown
- Mark S Cohen
- S Gale Dick
- Jeffrey I Lang
- Melissa H Maxman
- Reggie Schafer
- Mark S Cohen
- S Gale Dick
- Lawrence T Gresser
- Melissa H Maxman
- Daniel H Tabak
- Jonathan S Abernethy
- Mark S Cohen
- S Gale Dick
- Lawrence T Gresser
The Legal 500 analyzes the capabilities of law firms across the world. Its rankings “highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.”
Francisco Partners, which specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses, soon after merged the two acquired entities to create TS Imagine, a dynamic end-to-end trading and portfolio management software platform that is now used by 500 financial institutions worldwide. In awarding the “Deal of the Year” distinction, the magazine praised the deal’s formation of a “singular company poised for growth across both the buy and sell-side.”
The C&G team representing Imagine Software included Lawrence T Gresser, Kwaku Andoh, Karen H Bromberg, Bonnie J Roe, Nicholas J Kaiser, Ronald F Wick, Alexandra K Theobald, and Drew S Dean. Learn more about the deal in Francisco Partners’ press release and C&G’s news alert.
Mergers & Acquisitions, founded in 1965, is the oldest trade brand for the dealmaker community and is where private equity professionals, strategic acquirers and advisors turn for news, analysis, data and community around deals and dealmakers.
See Politico’s coverage of the event here.
- Last month, the FTC released a new policy statement noting its broadened view of the scope of its power under Section 5 of the FTC Act, signaling that it may find certain private equity rollups violate its interpretation.
- The FTC policy statement came on the heels of a DOJ announcement that it would be increasing the enforcement of Section 8 of the Clayton Act.
- These developments underscore the need for private equity companies to take particular care in observing U.S. competition laws, as there will be greater scrutiny of private equity firms.
In this client alert, Melissa Maxman, Ronald Wick, and Alisa Lu analyze what these actions mean for the future of antitrust enforcement in the private equity sector and provide insight into how PE firms can prepare themselves for continued additional scrutiny.
- The consent decrees allow the private equity fund JAB Consumer Partners SCA SICAR's National Veterinary Associates to close two recent deals with some divestitures but also impose a series of strict prior notice requirements that are unprecedented in their breadth.
- The announcements come a month after the confirmation of a fifth commissioner that gave the Democrats a 3-2 majority on the FTC.
- As long as Democrats control the majority, private equity firms should be prepared for additional scrutiny and be cognizant of other competition issues that may impact them.
- Juries acquitted two sets of defendants of antitrust claims involving labor markets.
- The Antitrust Division will continue to pursue labor cases and has three more trials pending.
- The Division is willing to accept some losses in trials as a cost of taking a more aggressive enforcement position.
In this C&G Client Alert, Melissa H Maxman, Ronald F Wick, Erica Lai, and Danielle Morello discuss the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) announcement that it will now consider crediting companies for “robust” compliance programs at the charging stage of criminal antitrust investigations. This signals a reversal of the DOJ’s longstanding policy of allowing substantial penalty reductions only for “early-in” whistleblowers.
Ronald F Wick discusses the implications of the Federal Trade Commission's plan to create a new task force focused on monitoring competition in U.S. technology markets in his latest C&G Client Alert.
Melissa H Maxman and Ronald F Wick examine the impact of the Leegin Creative Leather Products Inc. v PSKS Inc. ruling a decade after the decision.
Ron Wick moderated this second installment in the Civil Practice & Procedure Committee's Class Action Series, which offered insights into best practices in presenting and rebutting economic evidence, including retaining and working with experts; tactical considerations and evidentiary issues unique to class actions; and the impact of the Supreme Court's most recent class certification decisions on antitrust class actions.