Pete provides his clients an insider’s acumen when it comes to antitrust litigation, class action defense, and government investigations.
Overview
Pete is a nationally recognized antitrust lawyer and class action defense litigator. He represents clients in matters involving complex legal and economic issues. Pete also counsels clients on antitrust compliance, helps businesses navigate antitrust issues related to mergers and acquisitions, and represents clients facing government investigations. He has tried two of the largest merger challenges in U.S. history and served on the faculty at a top law school.
After beginning his career with the firm representing clients in antitrust, consumer finance, bankruptcy, insurance, corporate governance, and fraud cases, Pete spent four years as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division. There, Pete investigated and tried several high-profile matters, including the government’s successful challenge of Anthem’s proposed $54 billion merger with Cigna. He also played a significant role in the government’s challenge to the $85 billion AT&T/Time Warner merger. Pete also served as an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he taught legal writing and analysis.
Experience
Serves as lead counsel for a defendant in a collection of class action and individual antitrust lawsuits against pork producers. In this multidistrict proceeding, consolidated in the District of Minnesota, the plaintiffs allege that pork producers conspired to reduce the supply and raise the price of pork products.
Serves as lead counsel to merging party in FTC "second request" investigation of proposed merger.
Investigated and prosecuted claims under Section 7 of the Clayton Act challenging Halliburton’s proposed acquisition of Baker Hughes, Anthem’s proposed acquisition of Cigna, and AT&T’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner. Received Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for work on U.S. v. Anthem.
Represented financial institutions, including banks and property and casualty insurers, in class actions in Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Advised two health care provider groups on antitrust issues related to proposed mergers, and in response to related government investigations.
Represents a defendant in a collection of class action and individual antitrust lawsuits against egg producers, egg products companies, and other entities. In this multidistrict proceeding, consolidated in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the plaintiffs alleged that egg producers conspired to reduce the supply and raise the price of shell eggs.
Represents a defendant in a collection of class action and individual lawsuits in the Northern District of Illinois alleging that chicken producers conspired to reduce the supply of chicken in an effort to drive up prices.
Represented a defendant in a collection of class action antitrust lawsuits brought against potato producers and other entities. In a multidistrict proceeding in Idaho federal court, the plaintiffs alleged that potato producers conspired to reduce the supply of and raise the price of fresh potatoes.
Regularly speaks at CLEs and client events on topics related to antitrust. Recent events include a presentation to local business leaders on the current political climate and what it means for enforcement under the antitrust laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
"Navigating the Antitrust Review Process", M&A Boot Camp, Stinson LLP Webinar, September 2022
"Promoting Competition in the Food and Agriculture Sector: Where do we go from here?," ABA Antitrust Section, March 2022
"Antitrust Update," Stinson's Business Law Update, March 2022
"Advanced Contract Issues for In-House Counsel: Antitrust," Minnesota CLE, December 2021
"Where is Antitrust Headed? What You Need to Know," ACC St. Louis CLE, August 2021
"Antitrust Update: Vertical Merger Enforcement in Life Sciences," Stinson's Life Sciences Law Update, May 2021
"The New Vertical Merger Enforcement," Minnesota State Bar Association Webinar, November 2020
"Antitrust 2019: Anomaly or New Normal?" Stinson's Business Law Update, May 2020
Guest Lecturer on Government Antitrust Enforcement, University of Minnesota Law School, April 2020
"White Collar Crimes & Government Investigations," Stinson's Business Law Update, March 2020
Co-Presenter, "Health Care Under the Antitrust Microscope: Product Pricing, Market Entry and Industry Fraternizing are All Under Scrutiny," Recent Developments in Health Care and Life Sciences Law Seminar, Stinson, December 2019
"Anti-trust," Stinson’s New Challenges for HR in 2019, February 2019
"Market Definition After American Express," MSBA Antitrust Law Section CLE, February 2019
"Antitrust Update," Stinson’s Business Law Update, January 2019
"Conducting Business in a Time of Political Uncertainty," Heartland GRC Roundtable, August 2018
"Trends in U.S. White Collar Enforcement," July 2018
"Nuts & Bolts: Economists and the Merger Review Process," presented by the ABA Antitrust Section, March 2017
Publications
Recognitions
Recognitions
Selected to the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America©
Listed in Chambers USA, Up and Coming Attorney, Antitrust, 2022
Named to "40 & Under Hot List" by Benchmark Litigation, 2019 - 2022
Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, 2018
United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, Award of Distinction, 2016 - 2017
Selected for inclusion as a Super Lawyer®-Rising Star, 2013
Pro Bono Service to the Indigent award, 2011
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association, Antitrust Section, Trial Practice Committee, Vice Chair
Minnesota State Bar Association, Antitrust Section, Treasurer (2020-21), Secretary (2021-22)
American Bar Association, Antitrust Section, State Antitrust Practice and Statutes editorial group, Lead Author for Minnesota chapter of State Antitrust Law Treatise
American Bar Association, Antitrust Section, Editorial Board for ALD Annual Review
Guest Lecturer, Antitrust, University of Minnesota Law School
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- State of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Education
Columbia Law School, J.D., 2008
- Kent Scholar, 2005-2008
- Columbia Law Review, Articles Editor, 2007-2008
- Hamilton Fellow
Gustavus Adolphus College, B.A., Mathematics and Financial Economics, summa cum laude, 2005
Clerkships
- Honorable James B. Loken of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2008-2009
