K. Craig Wildfang
Experience
- Has represented parties in many private civil antitrust actions in industries ranging from insurance to agricultural commodities and has counseled clients on a wide variety of antitrust and trade regulation issues from mergers and joint ventures to marketing and sales programs.
Outside Experience
- Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., was a partner at another firm in Minneapolis, where he practiced in antitrust litigation, business litigation, and health care law.
- From 1993 to 1996, served as Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. In that position, was responsible for advising the Assistant Attorney General on the Justice Department’s complex civil antitrust litigation, as well as managing certain high-profile cases. Among other matters, directed the Justice Department’s efforts in the civil action against Nasdaq securities firms for price-fixing (United States v. Alex Brown & Sons, et al., S.D.N.Y. No. 96 Civ. 5313), the government’s action challenging international anticompetitive intellectual property licenses (United States v. Pilkington PLC, et al., D.Ariz. No. 94-345), as well as being involved in the government’s investigation of anticompetitive practices by Visa and Master Card in the credit card industry.
Selected Results*
Represented large agribusiness clients who were plaintiffs in In re Vitamins Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1285 (D.D.C.). The Vitamins litigation arose out of a decade-long price-fixing cartel of the major international vitamin manufacturers, and involved vigorously contested disputes regarding jurisdiction, foreign discovery, conspiracy, and expert issues. Clients included Land O’ Lakes, Inc., Hormel Foods Corporation, CHS Co-Operatives, Gold’n Plump Poultry, and other large vitamin purchasers. The cases settled after discovery was complete, but before trial, for in excess of $250,000,000.
Represented many of the same large agribusiness clients as in In re: Vitamins Antitrust Litigation. Involved a challenge to international price-fixing cartel. Settled for $35,000,000.
In re: Methionine Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1311 (N.D. Cal.) From 1995 until 1998, was the lead counsel for 22 plaintiffs in the case of Concord Boat Co., et al. v. Brunswick Corp. (See reported decisions at 21 F. Supp.2d 923, 34 F. Supp.2d 1125 (E.D. Ark. 1998)). The case involved cutting edge antitrust claims of restraint of trade, monopolization and unlawful mergers. After a 10 week trial, on June 19, 1998 the jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiffs on all counts, and awarded damages of $133,000,000, plus attorneys fees. The jury’s verdict was reversed on appeal, 207 F.3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 979 (2000) on grounds later rejected in a Third Circuit case pursuing a similar legal theory (prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.).
In re Workers’ Compensation Ins. Litig., (D.Minn. 4-85-1166), 574 F. Supp. 525 (D.Minn. 1983); 867 F.2d 1552 (8th Cir.); cert. denied, 492 U.S. 920 (1989); 130 F.R.D. 99 (D.Minn. 1990); 771 F. Supp. 284 (D.Minn. 1991) (prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.).
Midwestern Mach. Co., et al. v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., (D.Minn. 97-1438), 990 F. Supp.2d 1128 (D.Minn. 1998); rev’d, 167 F.3d 439 (8th Cir. 1999) (prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.).
In re: Visa/Mastercard Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1575. Represented Best Buy, Inc. and Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden) in antitrust challenge to anticompetitive conduct of Visa and Mastercard credit card networks.
Media
- Has appeared on NewsNight Minnesota (Minnesota Public Television), KDOW Radio, and WCCO Radio.
Recognition
- Named a "Super Lawyer," Minnesota Law & Politics (2006, 2007, 2008) **
- United States Department of Justice - Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust “Outstanding Contribution Award,” (1994)
Memberships
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Minnesota
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- University of Minnesota School of Law, J.D., cum laude (1977)
- University of Minnesota, B.A., magna cum laude
Selected Speeches
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Two-Sided Markets (Panel Member)
American Bar Association, Section of Antitrust Law, Washington, D.C.
(March 25-27, 2009)
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The Future of Private Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws (Panel Discussion)
American Antitrust Institute, National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
(June 19, 2008)
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New Challenges in an Evolving Antitrust Era
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., Minneapolis, MN
(May 18, 2006)
- Frequent lecturer on antitrust and complex litigation matters at continuing legal education seminars across the country.