Christopher Wyant is partner in the firm’s Litigation Department and Antitrust and Competition Group. He has experience in all phases of litigation and has successfully taken several cases through trial. He also has extensive mediation and arbitration experience. Chris has wide-ranging experience litigating antitrust claims. He has represented defendants in multidistrict price-fixing cases brought by class plaintiffs, direct-action plaintiffs, and Attorneys General. Chris has also represented both plaintiffs and defendants in monopolization cases involving alleged refusals to deal, tying, and exclusive dealing arrangements. He has represented standard-setting organizations, product manufacturers, and cellular network operators in antitrust matters related to FRAND commitments for intellectual property and alleged abuses of the standard-setting processes. Chris also represents clients in responding to pre-litigation antitrust investigations by the United States Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and Washington Attorney General.
Chris maintains a high-stakes business litigation practice focused on local, national, and international disputes involving breaches of contract, fiduciary duties, mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, and debtor/creditor claims.
In addition to litigation, Chris regularly counsels clients on antitrust and competition law compliance. He has advised clients on antitrust matters during merger negotiations, diligence, and pre-closing integration planning. He also counsels clients regarding antitrust considerations associated with product distribution, sales agreements, technology licensing arrangements, and joint ventures. Chris regularly assists clients in crafting antitrust policies and provides antitrust training for entities in a wide range of industries.
Services
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
Antitrust and Competition Matters
- Representation of multi-family housing operator in a nationwide antitrust class action alleging price-fixing and information-sharing conspiracies arising from the use of pricing management software.
- Representation of seafood purchaser/processor entities in class action alleging a buyer cartel for the purchase of crab throughout the Pacific coast.
- Representation of a Japanese electronics manufacturer in class actions and opt-out litigations alleging price fixing of capacitors.
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Chris maintains a robust pro bono practice, and has represented asylum applicants in immigration court, nonprofit entities in litigation, and human trafficking victims in expunging criminal records.
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Thomas S. Zilly, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, 2005-2006
Hon. Susan Owens, Washington State Supreme Court, 2004-2005
Professional Activities
Washington State Bar Association, Consumer Protection and Unfair Business Practices Section, Executive Committee, 2010-2021; Secretary, 2015-2016; Chair, 2017-2018
American Bar Association, Antitrust Section
King County Prosecutor Fellowship, 2011
Recognition & Accomplishments
Thomson Reuters, “Washington Super Lawyers,” Antitrust Litigation, 2019-2024
Thomson Reuters, “Washington Rising Star,” Antitrust Litigation, 2009-2012, 2014-2018
Publications
Co-author, “State Antitrust Practice and Statutes,” 5th Ed., Washington State Chapter, American State Bar Association, 2019
Co-author, “State Antitrust Practice and Statutes,” 4th Ed., Washington State Chapter, American State Bar Association, 2009
Credentials
Education
Seattle University School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 2004)
Seattle University Law Review
Pacific Lutheran University (B.A., cum laude, 2001)
Admissions
Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington