Luke T. Taeschler

Counsel

Overview

Luke is an experienced litigator and antitrust lawyer. He leverages his private practice and Federal Trade Commission experience to advise and represent clients on all aspects of antitrust law across a diverse range of industries. Luke’s varied practice covers class action litigation, competitor litigation, merger reviews and investigations, conduct investigations, and antitrust counseling. He represents clients spanning several industries, including the technology, healthcare, sports, pharmaceutical, financial services, automotive, and optical industries.

Prior to joining Crowell, Luke was an attorney with the FTC Bureau of Competition, where he investigated horizontal and vertical mergers as well as other business conduct. During his time at the FTC, Luke was one of the leading attorneys who investigated a large internet retailer’s proposed acquisition of iRobot and Navicent Health’s proposed acquisition of Houston Healthcare, both of which were abandoned. Most recently, Luke served as the lead attorney on a broad Section 2 investigation related to exclusive dealing, serial acquisitions, steering, rebating, and bundling. In addition to his antitrust experience, Luke litigates non-antitrust cases, including trade secrets, securities, and other complex commercial disputes.

Luke also actively works on pro bono matters. His pro bono experience includes securing asylum for a gay Russian photographer, representing a defendant in a criminal appeal in the Fourth Circuit, filing an amicus brief on behalf of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers discussing the application of the federal sentencing guidelines to synthetic marijuana prosecutions, and filing a Freedom of Information Law lawsuit on behalf of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (“STOP”) related to the New York Police Department’s use of facial recognition technology. In addition, Luke serves as an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School.

Career & Education

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    • Federal Trade Commission
      Trial Attorney, Bureau of Competition, 20202024
    • Federal Trade Commission
      Trial Attorney, Bureau of Competition, 20202024
    • Adjunct Professor, Brooklyn Law School
    • Adjunct Professor, Brooklyn Law School
    • Boston College, cum laude, 2010
    • Brooklyn Law School, magna cum laude, 2014
    • Boston College, cum laude, 2010
    • Brooklyn Law School, magna cum laude, 2014
    • New York
    • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
    • New York
    • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Luke's Insights

Speaking Engagement | 11.07.24

“Is the Price Right? Recent Antitrust Actions Targeting Pharmaceutical Prices,” ABA Antitrust Section

Representative Matters

Antitrust Litigation

  • Successfully defended a sports association in connection with Section 1 and 2 antitrust claims brought by a competing association challenging its membership bylaws. Defeated preliminary injunction application after a full day hearing in the Northern District of Texas.
  • Defended leading nuclear waste disposal company at trial against the Department of Justice’s Section 7 challenge to its proposed acquisition of competitor.
  • Secured dismissal and affirmance by the Eighth Circuit on behalf of a leading pharmacy benefits manager in an antitrust action brought by a terminated specialty pharmacy alleging group boycott, monopolization, and tying claims.
  • Won dismissal of multiple federal claims, including antitrust and RICO conspiracy claims, on behalf of a group of New York law schools in an antitrust action brought by a bar review course company in the Southern District of New York.
  • Secured affirmance by the Second Circuit on behalf of a leading bank in an antitrust action brought by consumers alleging that they were injured as a result of a price-fixing conspiracy to charge anti-competitive credit card processing fees.
  • Defended contact lens manufacturer in a nationwide antitrust class action related to the sale and distribution of disposal contact lenses.

Merger Review and Clearance

  • Represented leading nuclear waste disposal company during a Second Request and at trial in connection with its proposed acquisition of another nuclear waste disposal company.
  • Secured clearance of merger on behalf of oriented strand board manufacturer.
  • Secured clearance of merger on behalf of a plastic and flexible packaging company.

Non-Antitrust Litigation

  • Won $44 million jury verdict for fintech software company in a trade secrets action brought against its rival.
  • Secured initial dismissal of securities class action on behalf of large cable company in an action challenging purportedly misleading statements in its Initial Public Offering Registration Statement and Prospectus.
  • Secured dismissal of securities class action on behalf of leading investment bank in an action challenging the Fairness Opinion offered in connection with a large REIT acquisition.
  • Won motion to compel FINRA arbitration on behalf of large bank in an action brought by ultra-high net worth client.

Luke's Insights

Speaking Engagement | 11.07.24

“Is the Price Right? Recent Antitrust Actions Targeting Pharmaceutical Prices,” ABA Antitrust Section

Insights

Speaking Engagement | 11.07.24

“Is the Price Right? Recent Antitrust Actions Targeting Pharmaceutical Prices,” ABA Antitrust Section
|
    • “Is the Price Right? Recent Antitrust Actions Targeting Pharmaceutical Prices,” ABA Antitrust Section

      |

      11.07.24

Luke's Insights

Speaking Engagement | 11.07.24

“Is the Price Right? Recent Antitrust Actions Targeting Pharmaceutical Prices,” ABA Antitrust Section