Rachel S. Lesser
Overview
Rachel’s practice focuses on labor and employment and antitrust matters, including investigations and complex litigation. Her experience counseling clients on non-compete laws and other employment concerns adds value to her antitrust practice.
Career & Education
- Georgetown University, B.A., 2015
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2020
- District of Columbia
Rachel's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 04.21.25
DOJ Secures First Criminal Wage-Fixing Conviction in Home Health Care Staffing Case
In a landmark verdict on April 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division notched its first-ever jury trial conviction for criminal wage-fixing under the Sherman Act in United States v. Eduardo Lopez in the District of Nevada. A home health care staffing executive, Eduardo (“Eddie”) Lopez, was found guilty of (1) conspiring with several competing home healthcare staffing agencies to fix the wages of home health nurses in the Las Vegas area, and (2) defrauding the unwitting buyer of his agency by concealing the then-ongoing antitrust investigation into nurse wage and hiring practices. It is worth noting, however, that while the Lopez conviction is a significant milestone for the DOJ’s campaign into labor antitrust violations, wage-fixing cases may be more straightforward to prosecute than no-poach agreements, where the DOJ still has not prevailed before a jury. This victory nonetheless affirms the DOJ’s ability to criminally prosecute labor market collusion as a criminal offense after numerous failed attempts, signaling the prudence of further caution for companies and individuals to mitigate risk in labor antitrust markets.
Client Alert | 3 min read | 02.27.25
No-Poach Not Going Anywhere: FTC Chair Announces New Labor Task Force
Client Alert | 6 min read | 01.21.25
DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines Regarding Business Practices That Impact Workers
Speaking Engagement | 11.14.24
Insights
"Third Thursday – Employees, Marijuana, and Other Drugs – How Can Employers Respond?" Crowell & Moring Webinar Series, 2023.
|06.22.23
Non-Compete Agreements a Non-Starter? New Jersey Proposes Sweeping Non-Compete Legislation
|05.24.22
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
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05.03.21
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Practices
Industries
Rachel's Insights
Client Alert | 5 min read | 04.21.25
DOJ Secures First Criminal Wage-Fixing Conviction in Home Health Care Staffing Case
In a landmark verdict on April 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division notched its first-ever jury trial conviction for criminal wage-fixing under the Sherman Act in United States v. Eduardo Lopez in the District of Nevada. A home health care staffing executive, Eduardo (“Eddie”) Lopez, was found guilty of (1) conspiring with several competing home healthcare staffing agencies to fix the wages of home health nurses in the Las Vegas area, and (2) defrauding the unwitting buyer of his agency by concealing the then-ongoing antitrust investigation into nurse wage and hiring practices. It is worth noting, however, that while the Lopez conviction is a significant milestone for the DOJ’s campaign into labor antitrust violations, wage-fixing cases may be more straightforward to prosecute than no-poach agreements, where the DOJ still has not prevailed before a jury. This victory nonetheless affirms the DOJ’s ability to criminally prosecute labor market collusion as a criminal offense after numerous failed attempts, signaling the prudence of further caution for companies and individuals to mitigate risk in labor antitrust markets.
Client Alert | 3 min read | 02.27.25
No-Poach Not Going Anywhere: FTC Chair Announces New Labor Task Force
Client Alert | 6 min read | 01.21.25
DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines Regarding Business Practices That Impact Workers
Speaking Engagement | 11.14.24