Daniel A. Sasse is a partner in Crowell & Moring's Orange County office. He is also a member of the firm's Management Board and Executive Committee. His practice focuses on antitrust law, including antitrust litigation, government investigations, defending mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, and antitrust compliance issues. He has extensive experience in regulated industries including health care, telecommunications, and energy.
Dan has devoted a substantial portion of his practice to antitrust cartel litigation. This practice includes defending clients in criminal investigations and civil litigation as well as representing many Fortune 500 companies as plaintiffs in recovery actions when they have been the victim of price-fixing cartels. As a leader in the firm's Plaintiff's Recovery Practice, Dan has helped clients recover more than $500 million in recent years, and has helped turn legal departments from cost-centers into profit-centers.
Since 2018, Dan was named one of the top lawyers in the antitrust field by Chambers USA. From 2014 to 2017, Dan was recognized as an “Up and Coming California Antitrust Attorney” by Chambers USA, noting that clients appreciate that he is “incredibly responsive” and "cerebral but also understands how businesses work in connection with litigation." He has also been recognized as one of the leading competition attorneys in the U.S. and listed in Global Competition Review's Who's Who Legal: Competition since 2015.
The Daily Journal has recognized Dan as one of "10 Emerging Law Firm Leaders in California." Dan has also been named as a "Rising Star" by the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC-SoCal) and by Competition Law360, who placed him on the nationwide list of 10 competition lawyers under 40 to watch. Additionally, the Daily Journal identified one of Dan’s cases as among the Top 25 California Plaintiff's Verdicts. Dan also has consistently been recognized as a "Southern California Super Lawyer" in Antitrust Litigation.
Dan is a leader in the Orange County Bar and community organizations. He is currently President of the ABTL/OC Board of Governors, is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and serves as lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. He is also a past president of the Federal Bar Association/OC, and he served as a member of the CD Cal Local Rules Committee. Dan is also heavily involved in Crowell & Moring's award winning pro bono program.
Before joining Crowell & Moring, Dan clerked for two years for the Honorable, H. Dean Whipple, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. He received his B.A., summa cum laude, from Valparaiso University in 1994 and a law degree with distinction from Emory University School of Law in 1997. At Emory, Dan was a member of the Emory International Law Review and Jessup International Moot Court Team.
Representative Matters
- Representing a major U.S. automobile manufacturer as a plaintiff in the In re Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation.
- Representing a major U.S. automobile manufacturer as a plaintiff in the In re Vehicle Carrier Services Antitrust Litigation.
- Representing a major Computer Manufacture OEM as a plaintiff in the In re Optical Disk Drive Antitrust Litigation.
- Defended a major hotel chain in Section 1 Multidistrict Litigation price-fixing class action, successfully having the client dismissed at the motion to dismiss stage. In re OTC Booking Antitrust Litigation.
- Defended Yamaha Corporation of America in the FTC's investigation into Minimum Advertised Price policies for musical instruments, and follow-on civil litigation, successfully having the case dismissed at the motion to dismiss stage. In Re Musical Instruments In re Musical Instruments Antitrust Litigation.
- Represent corporate clients that purchased Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), in price-fixing litigation to recover overcharges caused by international cartel, In re CRT Antitrust Litigation.
- Represent corporate clients that purchased Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panels, in price-fixing litigation to recover overcharges caused by international cartel, In re TFT-LCD Antitrust Litigation.
- Defended a major automobile filter manufacturer in Section 1 Multidistrict Litigation price-fixing class action, successfully having the client dismissed at the motion to dismiss stage. In re Aftermarket Filters Antitrust Litigation.
- Represented corporate clients that purchased DRAM chips, in price-fixing litigation to recover overcharges caused by international cartel, In re DRAM Antitrust Litigation.
- Represented a client group that purchased electrical carbon products (including carbon brushes and carbon current collectors), in price-fixing litigation to recover overcharges caused by an international price-fixing cartel. In re Electrical and Mechanical Carbon Products Antitrust Litigation.
- Represented more than 50 corporate clients as plaintiffs' counsel in complex indirect purchaser suit brought in California state court.
- Represented a large telecommunications firm in a suit alleging violations of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Sherman Act § 2 violations, and violations of state antitrust laws; favorable settlement reached on behalf of client.
- Represented a large telecommunications firm in binding arbitration regarding merger condition compliance and Operational Support System interfaces; obtaining favorable arbitration award.
- Represented clients appearing before federal grand juries.
- Represented AT&T, Cingular Wireless, SBC Communications, Inc. in multiple large acquisitions.
- His counseling practice involves the full range of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, trade association law, cartel enforcement, the Robinson-Patman Act, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and the interaction of the antitrust laws and intellectual property.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: California, District of Columbia, Missouri
Memberships
Lawyer Representative to Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference
Secretary for the Board of Governors, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Orange County
Past-President, Federal Bar Association, Orange County Chapter
Highlights, News & Knowledge
Speeches & Presentations
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"Conspiracy Theories: How Antitrust Affects Your Day-to-Day," 2019 Hotel and Lodging Summit, Washington, D.C.
(October 25, 2019).
Panelist: Daniel A. Sasse.
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"Value Champion: Leveraging Investigations Teams to Impact the Bottom Line," GICLI's Fifth Annual Meeting, Incline Village, NV
(October 15, 2019).
Moderator: Daniel A. Sasse; Panelist: Deborah E. Arbabi.
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"Affirmative Recovery – Legal Departments Can No Longer Afford To Be Only Cost Centers," ACC Tennessee Chapter, Nashville, TN
(July 11, 2019).
Presenters: Deborah E. Arbabi, Daniel A. Sasse and Joe Lines.
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"Affirmative Recovery – Legal Departments Can No Longer Afford To Be Only Cost Centers," ACC Tennessee Chapter, Memphis, TN
(July 10, 2019).
Presenters: Deborah E. Arbabi, Daniel A. Sasse, and Joe Lines.
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"The Proliferation of Class Actions Opt-Out Litigation: Prosecuting, Defending, and Settling Direct Actions," 5th Annual Western Regional CLE Program on Class Actions and Mass Torts, San Francisco, CA
(June 22, 2018).
Presenter: Daniel A. Sasse.
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Fourth Annual In-House Recovery Conference, Dana Point, CA
(March 8-9, 2018).
Meeting Organizers: Daniel A. Sasse and Deborah E. Arbabi.
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Third Annual In-House Recovery Conference, Dana Point, CA
(March 9-10, 2017).
Meeting Organizers: Daniel A. Sasse and Deborah E. Arbabi.
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Second Annual In-House Recovery Conference, Dana Point, CA
(March 10-11, 2016).
Meeting Organizers: Daniel A. Sasse and Deborah E. Arbabi.
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First Annual In-House Recovery Conference, Dana Point, CA
(March 19-20, 2015).
Meeting Organizers: Daniel A. Sasse and Deborah E. Arbabi.
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"Something You Never Considered," Crowell & Moring's 2014 National SALT Summit, Washington, D.C.
(November 6, 2014).
Speaker: Daniel A. Sasse.
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"Recovery Action Scene," Crowell & Moring's Healthcare Ounce Of Prevention Seminar (HOOPS), Washington, D.C.
(October 27-28, 2014).
Presenters: Daniel A. Sasse and Robert T. Rhoad.
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"Recovery Theories and Opportunities: A New Way of Thinking for Your In-House Legal Department," Orange County Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section Meeting
(April 8, 2014).
Presenters: Steven D. Allison and Daniel A. Sasse.
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"Turning the Corporate Legal Department into a Profit Center," Association of Corporate Counsel Southern California Chapter
(June 24, 2013).
Presenters: Daniel A. Sasse, Jennifer S. Romano, Jason C. Murray, and Steven D. Allison.
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"Preparing an Expert to Testify: A Discussion and Demonstration," ABA Antitrust Division Spring Meeting
(March 30, 2011).
Presenters: Vandy M. Howell, Robert L. Hubbard, Daniel A. Sasse, and Jonathan Walker.
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"Improve Your Results and Reduce Your Outside Counsel Costs," Association of Corporate Counsel, Southern California Multi-venue MCLE Program
(March 2011).
Presenters: Daniel A. Sasse and Jason Murray.
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"Antitrust Training and Risks for Trade Associations," Western Ice Association
(March 23, 2010).
Presenter: Daniel A. Sasse.
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"Bend or Break: Tailoring the Patent System to Promote Innovation," UCI School of Law and Federal Bar Association Orange County
(January 22, 2010).
Panel Moderator: Daniel A. Sasse.
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"Antitrust Update," ABA Corporate Counseling Committee Webinar
(October 11, 2007).
Presenters: Wm. Randolph Smith, Kent A. Gardiner, Jeane A. Thomas, Robert Lipstein, Christopher E. Ondeck, Bridget E. Calhoun, Daniel A. Sasse, Werner Berg and Thomas De Meese.
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"Amnesty programs under the 2004 Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act," Law Seminars International, International Cartel Seminar
(September 7, 2006).
Presenter: Daniel A. Sasse.
Publications
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"Turning Fees into Funds: Maximizing Recovery in the MC/Visa Interchange Fee Litigation," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(March 9, 2020).
Authors: Daniel A. Sasse, Deborah E. Arbabi, Charlene Sun and Christy Markos.
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"Pathways to Recovery in the MasterCard/Visa Interchange Fee Litigation," Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
(May 2, 2019).
Authors: Deborah E. Arbabi, Daniel A. Sasse, Christy Markos and Paul I. Sung.
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"Maximizing Corporate Recovery," Association of Corporate Counsel, Tennessee Focus
(2019).
Authors: Daniel A. Sasse, Deborah E. Arbabi, Jordan Ludwig, and Paul I. Sung.
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"Recovery Claims: A New Source Of University Funding," Law360
(May 11, 2016).
Authors: Laurel Pyke Malson, Daniel A. Sasse, Chiemi Suzuki, and Kathryn L. Clune.
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"Legal Departments Are Ramping Up Revenue Searches," Law360
(February 24, 2015).
Co-Authors: Daniel A. Sasse and Deborah E. Arbabi.
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"Litigation Forecast 2015: What Corporate Counsel Need to Know for the Coming Year," a Crowell & Moring LLP publication
(January 2015).
Contributor.
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"Indirect Purchaser Actions," California Antitrust & Unfair Competition Law (Fourth), The Antitrust and Unfair Competition Law Section of the State Bar of California
(2010).
Co-Authors of Chapter 22: Daniel A. Sasse and Chahira Solh.
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"Practical Advice Today: Has Resale Price Maintenance Counseling Changed Post-Leegin?" The Price Point, newsletter of the ABA Section of Antitrust Law Pricing Conduct Committee, Vol. 9, Issue 1
(Winter 2010).
Co-Authors: Daniel A. Sasse and Chahira Solh.
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"Ninth Circuit Leaves Open Difficult Questions Regarding Bundled Discounts," The Antitrust Counselor, Vol. 4.1
(September 2009).
Co-Authors: Daniel A. Sasse and Thy Bui.
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"Private damages actions and the limitations of US class actions for a global solution," Global Competition Litigation Review, Vol. 1, Issue 2
(2008).
Author: Daniel A. Sasse.
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"Civil Government Enforcement," Antitrust Law Developments (Sixth), ABA Section of Antitrust Law
(2007).
Contributing Author: Daniel A. Sasse.
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"Private Damages Actions and Global Recovery Solutions for Multinationals: Understanding the Pitfalls of US Class Actions," Global Competition Review of the Americas
(October 2006).
Co-Authors: Kent A. Gardiner, Daniel A. Sasse and Jerome A. Murphy.
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"Private Damages: Opportunities for In-House Counsel," Global Competition Review
(April 2006).
Co-Authors: Jerome A. Murphy and Daniel A. Sasse.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"University Recovery: Turning University Legal Departments Into Profit Centers,"
(July 1, 2015).
Contacts: Laurel Pyke Malson, Daniel A. Sasse
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"Seventh Circuit Makes it Easier for Antitrust Plaintiffs to Pursue Their Claims Against Overseas Cartels,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(June 28, 2012).
Contacts: Daniel A. Sasse, Matthew J. McBurney
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""Toto – We Can't Be In Kansas": Kansas Supreme Court Scuttles Rule of Reason for Resale Price Agreements Under State Law,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(May 7, 2012).
Contacts: Robert A. Lipstein, Ryan C. Tisch, Daniel A. Sasse, Chahira Solh
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"Eighth Circuit Approves Use of Fraud Guidelines for Antitrust Crimes,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(May 3, 2012).
Contacts: Daniel L. Zelenko, Stephen M. Byers, Daniel A. Sasse
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"Robust State Enforcement of Minimum Resale Price Maintenance May Require New Approaches to Pricing,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(January 24, 2011).
Contacts: Robert A. Lipstein, Daniel A. Sasse, Chahira Solh
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"California's Predatory Pricing Law Differs From Federal Counterpart,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(November 30, 2010).
Contacts: Daniel A. Sasse, Chahira Solh
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"California Supreme Court Rejects "Pass-on" Defense for Antitrust Damages,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(July 13, 2010).
Contacts: Beatrice B. Nguyen, Daniel A. Sasse, Robert B. McNary, Chahira Solh
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"California Supreme Court Grants Review of Antitrust Damages "Pass-on" Defense Case,"
Antitrust Law 'In The News'
(December 5, 2008).
Contacts: Daniel A. Sasse, Chahira Solh
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"Alert for Clients Engaged In Retail or E-Commerce Credit/Debit Card Transactions,"
Privacy Law Alert
(January 16, 2007).
Contacts: Daniel A. Sasse, Kris D. Meade
Media Mentions
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Judge 'Strongly Inclined' To OK $10B VW Diesel Deal
October 18, 2016 — Law360
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Judge 'Inclined' To Approve Volkswagen Settlement
October 18, 2016 — USA Today
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Rainmaker Q&A: Crowell & Moring's Daniel Sasse
September 19, 2016 — Law360
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Michael Boxer: Maximizing Effectiveness of the Legal Department at Luxottica
June 16, 2016 — Association of Corporate Counsel
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California's Antitrust Bar
March 2015 — Global Competition Review
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Q&A: Crowell & Moring's Daniel Sasse
January 6, 2015 — Global Competition Review
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FTC May Waste Time Updating Price-Bias Guide, Attys Say
November 29, 2012 — Law360
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Q & A - What's Hot, What's Not: What practice area(s) is (are) expected to be driving next year’s business/growth? And which area(s) will be the most challenged?
January 23, 2012 — Orange County Business Journal
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Turning the Tables: Corporate Legal Departments Pursue Profits Through Plaintiff Recovery Lawsuits
October 2011 — Inside Counsel
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"10 Under 40: Rising Star" feature with Crowell & Moring's Daniel A. Sasse
March 31, 2010 — Competition Law360
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FTC Can't Block Sale of Natural Gas Firm
May 15, 2007 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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FTC Scrutinizes Energy Deal
March 19, 2007 — Global Competition Review
Firm News & Announcements