Patrick Watson
Patrick Watson
Patrick Watson
Biography
Patrick Watson concentrates on antitrust and other complex business litigation and leads the firm's Antitrust Class Actions team. In the antitrust litigation area, Pat has significant experience representing corporate plaintiffs who choose to opt out of class action antitrust litigation to pursue direct claims and has obtained large recoveries for such companies. In addition, he has successfully defended corporations in federal and state antitrust cases, including class actions, involving price fixing, monopolization, price discrimination and other alleged violations of the antitrust or unfair competition laws. Pat also has handled litigation involving franchising and distribution issues and unfair trade practices.
In addition to litigation, he has provided legal guidance to companies and trade associations in various industries on a variety of antitrust related issues, including pricing, advertising, joint ventures, benchmarking and strategic transactions. As part of his compliance work, he has assisted clients with antitrust related audits and in the development of training programs. He also has counseled companies on internal investigations and responses to government subpoenas, and has represented clients in obtaining antitrust regulatory approval for mergers.
Apart from antitrust and trade regulation matters, Pat has handled commercial litigation and dispute resolution involving software development contracts, warranty clauses in asset purchase agreements, implementation of ERP systems, ERISA violations and other complex business disputes. He also has substantial experience handling appellate litigation in federal and state courts.
Pat is rated Band 1 for Antitrust Law in Georgia by Chambers USA, has been named a Best Lawyer in America since 2009 (including Georgia Lawyer of the Year in Antitrust Law in 2014 and 2021) and has been designated as a Georgia Super Lawyer every year since 2008. In 2021 he was recognized as an Acritas Star for outstanding client service.
Pat also is a frequent speaker on antitrust and compliance issues. He is a Past Chair of the Antitrust Section of the Georgia Bar and has served on the section board for several years. He is the former Managing Partner of the Atlanta office of BCLP and currently serves on the Firm’s worldwide Board.
Areas of Focus
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Antitrust Class Actions
Civic Involvement & Honors
- Best Lawyers' (Antitrust Law, 2009-2024)
- Best Lawyers' Georgia Antitrust Law "Lawyer of the Year," (2014, 2021)
- Chambers USA, Band 1, Georgia (Antitrust, 2008-2021)
- Georgia Super Lawyer (2008-2021)
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association – Antitrust and Litigation Sections
- Atlanta Bar Association
- State Bar of Georgia – Antitrust and Corporate Counsel Sections
- State Bar of South Carolina
Board
Admissions
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South Carolina, 1997
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Georgia, 1984
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United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Circuits
Education
Harvard University, J.D., 1984
Wofford College, B.A., 1981
Related Practice Areas
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Antitrust
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Class Actions
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Business & Commercial Disputes
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Investigations
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Regulation, Compliance & Advisory
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Class Actions & Mass Torts
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Antitrust Class Actions
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Shareholder Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions
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Food, Ag & Nutrition (Class Actions)
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Financial Services
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Employment Class & Collective Actions
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Sports (Class Actions)
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Data Privacy, Telecommunications & Collections
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Toxic Tort
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Consumer Fraud
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Insurance (Class Actions)
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Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices (Class Actions)
Experience
- Represented large home improvement chain as claimant in antitrust cases involving alleged price-fixing of LCD and CRT panels, drywall, interior molded doors, titanium dioxide, and other components and products.
- Represented several large purchasers of polyester staple fiber as “opt out” plaintiffs against fiber manufacturers accused on fixing fiber prices. Reached successful settlements with all defendants.
- Defended large carpet manufacturer in federal and state price fixing class actions in Georgia and California.
- Represented large manufacturer of consumer products and large home improvement chain in civil action relating to alleged price fixing of cabotage shipping rates.
- Defended major car rental company in putative class action alleging violation of Federal and State RICO statutes.
- Represented the division head of a large outdoor advertising company in an action alleging violations of Section 2 of the Sherman Act, prevailed on a motion to dismiss that was upheld on appeal.
- Represented national building products supply company in action involving alleged manipulation of structural panel prices.
- Defended large moving and storage company in defense of action alleging violation of state unfair competition laws following entry of FTC consent order.
- Represented banking technology company in defense of civil action by Federal Trade Commission and state authorities for alleged violations of business opportunity regulations.
- Represented large manufacturer in connection with alleged Robinson Patman violations related to internet advertising policies.
- Assisted banking trade association with antitrust issues arising from development of industry fraud detection program.
- Represented real estate law firm in South Carolina federal court in defense of alleged mortgage fraud claims.
- Represented African nation in connection with investigation of possible RICO and bank fraud by American citizen ultimately leading to guilty plea.
Resources
Speaking Engagements
- Co-Presenter, "Antitrust Recovery after Supplier Collusion," Bryan Cave In-House Counsel CLE Institute, Atlanta, January 29, 2016
- "Changing Landscape Reshapes Firm Strategies, Competition, Priorities," 2015-16 Atlanta Legal Market Conference , Atlanta, October 15, 2015
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