Brian A. Ratner

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• In June 2025, Brian Ratner represented TOT Power Control SL, along with co-counsel, in its patent infringement claim against Apple which led to a successful jury verdict of over $110 million on June 30 in the District of Delaware., 2025
• In In re Vitamin C Antitrust Litigation, No. 1:06-md-01738-BMC, Brian Ratner (serving as one of the lead lawyers for the case) and Hausfeld represent direct purchaser plaintiffs in the first antitrust case in the United States against Chinese manufacturers. The plaintiffs alleged that four Chinese pharmaceutical companies conspired to fix prices and control export output of Vitamin C from December 1, 2001 to the present. During proceedings in the District Court of the Eastern District of New York, these Chinese vitamin C manufacturers were found to have reached an agreement to control export quantities and raise prices by restricting their exports of vitamin C to create a shortage of supply in the international market. The Chinese corporate defendants argued that Chinese law had compelled them to engage in price-fixing in violation of U.S. laws, and thus they should be excused from liability under principles of comity or the doctrine of foreign sovereign compulsion. The District Court concluded that “[t]he Chinese law relied upon by defendants did not compel their illegal conduct. Although defendants and the Chinese government argue to the contrary, the provisions of Chinese law before me do not support their position, which is also belied by the factual record.” The defendants appealed the decision, supported by amicus briefs from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, again arguing that Chinese law had compelled them to engage in price-fixing in violation of U.S. laws, and thus they should be excused from liability under principles of comity or the doctrine of foreign sovereign compulsion. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned the District Court’s judgment, holding that it was “bound to defer” to the Chinese government’s characterization of its law. Writing on behalf of a unanimous Supreme court on June 14, 2018, Justice Ginsburg reversed and remanded, holding that “[a] federal court should accord respectful consideration to a foreign government’s submission, but is not bound to accord conclusive effect to the foreign government’s statements.” Agreeing with the class plaintiffs (and the official position of the United States, as advocated by the Solicitor General), the Court pointed to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 44.1 (in determining foreign law, “the court may consider any relevant material or source . . . whether or not submitted by a party”), and remanded the case to the Court of Appeals to consider the evidence of foreign law, as the District Court had done.  , 2018
• In 2017-18, Brian Ratner and Hausfeld have recovered millions of dollars in confidential settlements for their individual clients inside and outside the U.S. related to their claims of anticompetitive and other illegal conduct., 2017
• Defended Geodis in Freight Forwarder Antitrust Litigation (E.D.N.Y.) - claim settled in 2014 and is pending approval before the court, 2014
• As confirmed by Sasol’s recent SEC filing, as a result of the finding of infringement and fine imposed on Sasol by the EC in October 2008, Sasol recently announced that it had fully and finally settled a paraffin wax cartel damage claim in June 2013 that had been lodged in the London High Court in September 2011 by 30 clients, including makers of candles, represented by Hausfeld and Brian Ratner.  The terms of such settlement are confidential and were not disclosed., 2013
• Case Name: In re Vitamin C Antitrust Litigation - Docket Number: 1:06-MD-1738 Venue:    Eastern District of New York Date of Decision: Judgment entered against defendants after jury verdict for plaintiffs (March 14, 2013) Preliminary approval of settlements with Weisheng Pharmaceutical and China Pharmaceutical Group (March 28, 2013) Settlement Figures: $32.5 million (2012-2013); $22.5 million (2013) On March 14, 2013, District Court Judge Brian M. Cogan entered a judgment in favor of class plaintiffs against Hebei Welcome and North China Pharmaceutical Group. Over the course of a three week jury trial, Hausfeld attorneys including Brian Ratner and their co-counsel, on behalf of class plaintiffs, presented evidence that Chinese vitamin C manufacturers had met and agreed to fix the price and limit the supply of vitamin C sold to distributors in the United States. The manufacturers presented an affirmative defense of foreign sovereign compulsion, attempting to persuade the jury that the Chinese government had compelled them to meet and reach these agreements. Just before closing arguments, defendants Weisheng Pharmaceutical and China Pharmaceutical Group agreed to settle, and to pay class members $22.5 million. Days later, the jury reached a verdict against the remaining defendants, rejecting their foreign sovereign compulsion defense, and finding that the class had suffered damages of $54.1 million as a result of defendants’ actions over the course of the conspiracy. Judge Cogan entered a judgment for $153.3 million, trebling these damages under the Sherman Act (and subtracting the amount already paid in settlements). Notably, these results were achieved strictly by lawyers in the private bar; no case was brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. And the settlements reached in this case were the first civil settlements with Chinese companies in a U.S. antitrust cartel case. As China’s economic clout expands exponentially, the results of this case have wide implications in the global marketplace., 2013
• In 2012-13, Brian Ratner and Hausfeld have recovered more than $100m in settlements for their clients outside the U.S. related to their claims of anticompetitive and other illegal conduct, 2013

Representative Clients

• TOT Power Control S.L., 2021
• Stellantis (FCA and PSA), 2022
• Consol Energy Inc., 2021
• Honda, 2021
• US Silica, 2021
• CRH, 2021
• TMS, 2021
• Auto Europe, 2019
• BMW, 2019
• Ralph Lauren, 2019
• Metro AG, 2019
• Avis/Budget, 2019
• GKN, 2019
• Geodis, 2019
• Hertz, 2018
• PSA, 2018
• Deutsche Bahn AG, 2018
• Michelin, 2018
• Hilding Anders, 2016
• Petróleos Mexicanos, 2013
• Blyth, Inc., 2013

Honors

• Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs (DC), Chambers USA, 2025
• Hall of Fame – described by The Legal 500 as "including individuals who have received constant praise from their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.", Hall of Fame - Antitrust Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Plaintiff, The Legal 500, 2025
• Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyer, Lawdragon, 2023
• Selected by GCR’s independent research with clients and peers for recognition in the 2023 edition of WWL: Competition - a guide to the world’s leading competition lawyers and economists, WWL: Competition, Who's Who Legal, 2023
• 500 Leading Global Litigators, Lawdragon, 2025
• Global Leader, Competition: Plaintiff, Who's Who Legal, 2021
• Hall of Fame – described by The Legal 500 as "including individuals who have received constant praise from their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.", Hall of Fame - Antitrust Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Plaintiff, The Legal 500, 2022
• 500 Leading Financial Lawyers in America, Lawdragon, 2025
• 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Lawdragon, 2022
• Competition: Plaintiff, Who's Who Legal, 2022
• Leading Lawyer in America, Lawdragon
• Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyer, Lawdragon
• Leading Global Litigation Lawyer, Lawdragon, 2021
• Thought Leader, Competition: Plaintiff, Who's Who Legal, 2021
• Hall of Fame – described by The Legal 500 as "including individuals who have received constant praise from their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.", Hall of Fame, The Legal 500, 2020
• Mr. Ratner received this honor as part of the In re Vitamin C Litigation case team., Litigation of the Year - Cartel Prosecution in 2019, Global Competition Review, 2019
• "Hausfeld LLP 'is a leading firm for antitrust damages in Europe and the US' and fields 'pragmatic, smart and focused' litigation experts [including Brian Ratner]"., Leading Lawyer in the U.S. for Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions, The Legal 500, 2019
• Mr. Ratner received this honor as part of the In re Vitamin C Litigation case team., Outstanding Antitrust Litigation Achievement in Private Law Practice in 2019, American Antitrust Institute, 2019
• 500 Leading Lawyers in America list - see Lawyer Limelight here: http://www.lawdragon.com/2019/07/07/lawyer-limelight-brian-a-ratner/, Lawdragon, 2019
• Competition list, Who's Who Legal, 2018
• The Legal 500 stated that the “‘incredibly impressive’ . . . Michael Hausfeld and Brian Ratner are ‘highly skilled negotiators and litigators, and real fighters with an outstanding strategic sense.’”, Top 10 Leading Lawyers in the U.S. in Plaintiffs' Representation for Antitrust, The Legal 500, 2014
• Leading Lawyer in the U.S. for Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions, Legal 500, 2014
• The Legal 500 stated that "'Brilliant lawyer' Brian Ratner is a 'very smart and business-oriented negotiator.'", Top 10 Leading Lawyers in the U.S. in Plaintiffs' Representation for Antitrust, The Legal 500, 2013
• One of Country's Top Antitrust Litigation Stars & One of DC's Local Litigation Stars, The Benchmark Plaintiff Guide to America's Leading Plaintiff's Firms, 2012
• The Legal 500 stated that "Brian Ratner thinks strategically, is an excellent negotiator and has a solid foundation of substantive law."  In 2011, the publication also recommended him as an "engaging, highly competent professional who can simplify complex antitrust matters and make them comprehensible to a non-antitrust attorney.", Top 10 Leading Lawyers in the U.S. in Plaintiffs' Representation for Antitrust, The Legal 500, 2012
• Rising Star, Law360, 2012
• Named to the Legal Times' "40 under 40" list, which recognized rising legal stars expected to play a key role in the Greater Washington legal community for years to come., 40 under 40, Legal Times, 2009

Educational Background

• Indiana University-Bloomington, B.A.J., 1996

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Antitrust: Global antitrust litigation - A brave new world, Co-speaker and panelist, GCR Live 5th Annual Law Leaders Forum, 2016
• Panel discussion of private antitrust enforcement updates and developments in the US, Europe, and elsewhere, Panelist, International - Private Antitrust Enforcement Around the Globe, AAI 11th Annual Private Antitrust Enforcement Conference, 2017
• Discussion of criminal antitrust issues from claimant and global perspectives, Panelist, Criminal Antitrust Panel, Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court, 2018
• Co-speaker of a presentation and panel discussion titled "Delivering Substantial Shareholder Returns Through Cartel Damages Litigation, on a Risk-Free Basis and with No Financial Investment", Speaker, 10th Corporate Counsel & Corporate Compliance Exchange, 2014
• Co-author of USA chapter regarding the legislative framework of the cartel prohibition, investigative powers, sanctions on companies and individuals, leniency for companies, whistle-blowing procedures for individuals, plea bargaining arrangements, appeal process, and damages actions., Co-author, Chapter 39: USA, The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Cartels & Leniency 2014, 7th edition, 2014
• Conference Speaker, National Conference on Class Actions - Recent Developments in Quebec, in Canada, and in the United States, 2013
• Co-Author, Chapter 26: Prosecuting Class Actions and Group Litigation - Understanding the Rise of International Class and Collective Action Litigation and How this Leads to Classes that Span International Borders, World Class Actions, Oxford, 2012
• Co-author of chapter regarding prosecuting class actions and group litigation from claimant perspective in comprehensive book about class actions around the world., Co-Author, Prosecuting Class Actions and Group Litigation - Understanding the Rise of International Class and Collective Action Litigation and How this Leads to Classes that Span International Borders, World Class Actions, Chapter 26, 2012
• Commentary on the Supreme Court decision in Wal-Mart v. Dukes, Co-Author, The Novelty of Wal-Mart v. Dukes, American Bar Association, Business Torts & Civil RICO Committee, Business Torts & RICO News, Vol. 8, Issue 1, 2011
• Co-Author, "Principles and Objectives of Formal and Informal Settlements in EU Competition Cases: The Claimant’s Perspective," paper submitted for the European University Institute's 13th Annual Competition Law & Policy Workshop, publication forthcoming
• Panel Speaker, "International- Private Antitrust Enforecment Around the Globe," AAI 11th Annual Private Antitrust Enforcement Conference (November 7, 2017)
• Panel Speaker, "Private Enforcement: New International Approaches and Developments," Northwestern Law, (May 20, 2015)
• Panel Leader, “Delivering Substantial Shareholder Returns Through Cartel Damages Litigation, on a Risk-Free Basis and with No Financial Investment,” 10th Corporate Counsel & Corporate Compliance Exchange, (April 7-9, 2014) 

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Brian Ratner serves as President of CertifiKID (www.certifikid.com), a deal website focused on kids’ activities and family entertainment. In 2010, I co-founded the business with my wife Jamie who serves as CEO and runs the day to day operations. My focus is on high level business strategy and partnerships, as well as legal and financial issues. CertifiKID has been recognized by CNBC, The Washington Post, and Washingtonian Magazine as one of the best deal websites for parents. On April 7, 2019, we appeared on the popular ABC television show Shark Tank and cut a deal with Kevin O’Leary (a/k/a “Mr. Wonderful”). His investment in CertifiKID is one of the top five biggest investments Mr. O’Leary has made in any company in ten seasons of Shark Tank.  Please see the following links to our presentation, press release, Shark Tank page, which includes photos, and a blog post I wrote about the experience. https://jumpshare.com/v/p01FjNkeKzjVtiffEgd8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-FkUpoSFDY https://www.certifikid.com/pages/shark-tank https://www.certifikid.com/pages/press-releases/certifikid-hooks-deal-with-shark-kevin-oleary https://www.certifikid.com/exploremore/41119/the-toughest-negotiation-in-shark-tank-history-certifikids-brian-ratner-dishes-the-behind-the-scene-details In 2020, CertifiKID acquired Macaroni Kid, a digital media powerhouse that delivers hyper-local content on the best things to do and places to go with kids through 400 local influencers’ e-newsletters for more than 4,000 communities across the country). CertifiKID and Macaroni Kid together now represent one of the largest parent-focused digital media and advertising companies in the country, reaching millions of families nationwide. In 2022, we published a book called ParentPreneurs: A Decade of Deals from a Messy Minivan, published by Rowman & Littlefield: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538164617/ParentPreneurs-A-Decade-of-Deals-from-a-Messy-Minivan, 2022

• and financial services.
• Mr. Ratner represents clients from a wide range of sectors including automotive
• Petroleum
• Retail
• Transportation
• Utility