Susman Godfrey and the firm’s lawyers have been named honorees by the American Antitrust Institute as part of its 2017 Antirust Enforcement Awards.
Partner Matthew Berry has been recognized for his “Outstanding Antitrust Litigation Achievement by a Young Lawyer” for his exceptional work in the In Re Animation Workers Antitrust Litigation, where he took on a leadership role in this antitrust class action brought against the world’s largest animation companies, including Disney, Pixar, Lucas Films, DreamWorks, and Sony. Berry’s work helped secure over $168 million in settlements for the over 10,000 animation industry workers he helped represent. Los Angeles partner, Marc Seltzer, who led the firm’s efforts on the case said, “Matt demonstrated extraordinary skill and leadership abilities in this case beyond his years – I cannot think of a more fitting recipient of this prestigious award.”
In addition to Berry’s recognition, Susman Godfrey, will be honored at the same ceremony with the award for “Outstanding Antitrust Litigation Achievement in Private Law Practice” for the firm’s accomplishments in Dial Corporation, et al. v. News Corporation, et al. Partner James Southwick, who spearheaded Susman Godfrey’s efforts in this case, will accept this award on behalf of the firm. In this rare monopolization class action a $244 million dollar settlement was achieved on behalf of the class of consumer goods suppliers. The settlement was reached on the first day of trial, recovers 100 percent of the claimed damages, and provides structural relief for the class going forward. The settlement brought to a close years of litigation brought on behalf of a class of more than 600 consumer packaged goods companies who sued News Corp. for allegedly monopolizing the U.S. market for in-store promotion services. Susman Godfrey will be honored along with co-counsel, Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick PLLC, McKool Smith PC, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, and Berry Law PLLC,.
Berry and Southwick will be recognized at the Antitrust Enforcement Awards Dinner to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on November 7, 2017.
