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Cortlin H. Lannin

Partner

San Francisco +1 415 591 7078

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Cortlin Lannin is a litigator who defends clients in high-stakes antitrust and consumer matters. He has a depth of experience helping his clients successfully navigate the entire lifespan of these matters, from leading internal investigations to defending government investigations and the class action litigation that routinely follows.

    Cort is co-chair of the firm’s global Cartel Defense and Government Investigations practice group and routinely represents companies and individuals facing antitrust investigations of both the civil and criminal variety, including before the Department of Justice Antitrust Division and Federal Trade Commission. He has a track record of helping his clients achieve successful resolutions to these investigations. Cort is also an experienced class action litigator and has defended his clients in class actions implicating the high-tech industry, alleged “no-poach” and wage-fixing agreements, price-fixing, and similar conduct. For his achievements, Cort has been recognized as a Top Antitrust Lawyer by the Daily Journal.

    Cort has also defended some of the world’s largest consumer-facing companies facing class action litigation in courts across the country. This includes cases alleging false advertising and unfair trade practices under California’s UCL, FAL, and CLRA, and other states’ similar laws. He is experienced at heading off cases before any complaint is filed and, if necessary, efficiently defeating filed complaints. 

    Cort is a co-chair of Covington’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group and is deeply involved in the firm’s efforts to recruit, mentor, and promote diverse attorneys.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    Antitrust Matters

    • Representing major technology company in federal and state government antitrust investigations.
    • Represented major social media company in federal and state government antitrust investigations.
    • Represented multiple animation and visual effects studios in class action litigation challenging alleged “no poach” agreements, achieving settlement on favorable terms.
    • Represented energy company in criminal and civil litigation concerning alleged price-fixing and bid-rigging activity directed at U.S. government.
    • Represented an automobile parts manufacturer in class action litigation alleging global price-fixing conspiracy among auto parts suppliers.
    • Represented an international airline in class action litigation concerning alleged price-fixing of passenger fares and fuel surcharges.
    • Represented Expedia in class action litigation alleging antitrust violations in the market for online hotel bookings, achieving dismissal at pleading stage.
    • Represented multiple companies and individuals that were the subject of non-public criminal investigations by the DOJ Antitrust Division.

    Consumer Matters

    • Representing various companies in the food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods industries in responding to demand letters and defending class action complaints in California, New York, and Illinois, among other states.
    • Representing Wells Fargo Bank in multiple class action cases challenging practices and disclosures related to posting of debit-card transactions.
    • Represented The Procter & Gamble Company in six putative class action lawsuits defending against claims that its personal hygiene wipes were falsely marketed as “flushable,” achieving settlement on favorable terms.
    • Represented maker of joint health supplements in false advertising class action litigation.

    Other Litigation

    • Representing major food services company in class action litigation regarding labor practices.
    • Representing McKesson Corporation in cases brought by states and counties against the manufacturers, distributors, prescribers, and dispensers of prescription opioids.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D., 2009
    • Brown University, B.A., 2000
    Bar Admissions
    • California
    Pro Bono
    • Representing almost two dozen medical and mental health organizations in submitting amicus briefs in opposition to state laws banning certain medical care for transgender youth.
    • Represented an individual incarcerated in California state prison and asserting Section 1983 excessive force claims. 
    • Represented client in Ninth Circuit appeal of adverse district court ruling on employment discrimination claims.
    • Wrote and submitted amicus curiae brief in the United States Supreme Court supporting a non-discrimination policy adopted by the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
    Accolades
    • Daily Journal, "Top Verdicts" (2023) 
    • Daily Journal, "Top Antitrust Lawyers" (2022)
    • Northern California Super Lawyers, Antitrust Litigation "Rising Star" (2013-2019)

    Areas of Expertise

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