Edgeworth Client Found Not Liable for Antitrust Conspiracy Allegations

On June 15, 2018, Edgeworth client Rose Acre Farms was found not liable for an alleged antitrust conspiracy to reduce the supply of chicken eggs in the US. After a month-long trial in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the jury concluded that an agreement among producers involving certification for farmers for issues such as cage space for chickens had been reached and that Rose Acre had participated in that agreement. The jury also concluded, however, that the impact of that agreement did not represent an unreasonable restraint of trade, and therefore the jurors rejected the claims of plaintiffs’ class of direct purchasers. Edgeworth Partner Jesse David testified on behalf of Rose Acre at the trial, presenting economic evidence regarding Rose Acre’s operations which demonstrated that the company had not reduced the supply of eggs, as alleged by plaintiffs.