How to Hire an Antitrust Attorney

Accusations of antitrust violations against your business can cause harm on a number of levels. Your company's reputation within an industry can be ruined and your budget may be wrecked in your effort to fight antitrust charges. You need to hire an antitrust attorney who is capable of pleading your case in an efficient manner.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Request the curriculum vitae of an antitrust attorney to determine his experience in the corporate world. Your attorney should be intimately familiar with issues of competition through business ownership and positions on corporate boards.
2. Map out the certifications and licenses held by an antitrust attorney before you make a final hire. Your attorney should be licensed with your state bar and possess accreditation by antitrust and business groups for her past accomplishments.
3. Gain objective counsel for antitrust issues by locating an attorney outside of your city. You can find and hire an attorney from major cities in neighboring states to prepare a case dealing with price fixing, competitive balance and other corporate issues.
4. Generate a legal budget that takes into account support staff needed to prepare your case. Your attorney will utilize junior attorneys, legal researchers and administrative personnel to prepare documents for court hearings.
5. Organize business documents and other materials in chronological order before you meet with antitrust attorneys. You should present your portfolio for review and request a preliminary presentation by the attorney to determine his critical analysis skills.
6. Schedule multiple meetings with a select group of antitrust attorneys to determine personal style and level of commitment to your case. You can break through the sales pitches and gauge your comfort level with candidates before you make your hiring decision.
7. Perform a search for antitrust attorneys with experience in state and federal agencies dealing with antitrust. Your fight against antitrust charges is made much simpler with legal counsel familiar with the creation of antitrust regulations.

Tips & Warnings

• Review the international law experience of an antitrust attorney before you hire legal counsel. Antitrust laws involving multi-national corporations and international organizations require experience in dealing with foreign legal systems. Your attorney should be familiar with European and Asian antitrust laws in recognition of competition in those markets.
• Educate yourself on the language and latest news on antitrust laws to improve your communications with attorneys. You can determine the qualification level and knowledge of an antitrust attorney by asking a few questions about the latest Supreme Court decision.