Robert J. Wierenga’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on antitrust litigation and class action defense. He has a wide range of experience in counseling large and small clients on antitrust, intellectual property, and fair trade issues arising under federal, state and foreign law.
He has represented clients in antitrust cases, consumer class actions and other complex disputes in courts around the country, and has assisted clients who have been contacted by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Canadian Competition Bureau and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition.
He also regularly counsels clients involved in litigation or arbitration arising out of complex commercial contracts or partnership agreements.
Robert is coordinating partner of Schiff Hardin’s Ann Arbor office.
EXPERIENCE:
- Date v. Sony Electronics, Inc., et al. (E.D. Mich. 2009) Defending Sony Electronics and ABC Warehouse in putative national class action asserting claims for violation of consumer protection statutes, breach of warranty and unjust enrichment. Currithers v. FedEx Ground Package Service, Inc. (E.D. Mich. 2010) Defending FedEX Ground in multi-plaintiff case asserting fraud and employee misclassification.
- In re Student-Athlete Likeness Litigation (N.D. Cal. 2009) Defending NCAA against putative class action claims for price fixing and group boycott in connection with alleged use of student-athlete likenesses.
- American Needle, Inc. v. National Football League, et al. (2010). Prepared amicus brief for NCAA regarding proper application of single-entity doctrine to sports leagues.
- Warrior Sports, Inc. v. Nat’l Collegiate Athletic Ass’n (Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals 2010). Defended NCAA against claim that standard-setting process for lacrosse sticks violated the Sherman Act. Motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and affirmed on appeal to the Sixth Circuit.
EDUCATION:
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1995
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1995
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- Michigan
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- American Bar Association, Antitrust Law Section, Trade Associations Committee, Vice Chair
- State Bar of Michigan, Antitrust, Franchise and Trade Regulation Section, Litigation Section
Cost
Rate : $$$