Robert M. Langer

Senior Counsel

Home 9 Person 9 Robert M. Langer
๏ธ
Home 9 Person 9 Robert M. Langer

Robert M. Langer

Senior Counsel

Bob is recognized as one of the countryโ€™s foremost authorities on antitrust, consumer protection, and trade regulation law. He possesses unparalleled experience in counseling, litigation, and regulatory investigations in the field, and he is co-author of the definitive treatise on unfair trade practices and antitrust legal practice.

A Senior Counsel in the firmโ€™s Litigation Department and Co-chair of the firmโ€™s Antitrust and Technology Disputes Practice Group, Bobโ€™s experience includes class actions and representing clients in both federal and state courts and before the Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and offices of state attorneys general and state consumer protection agencies throughout the U.S.

Bob leverages more than two decades of experience as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of antitrust and consumer protection in Connecticut, where he litigated numerous antitrust and consumer matters in federal and state trial and appellate courts. His more than four decades of accomplishments have earned him a host of prestigious accolades, including

  • A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Bar Associationโ€™s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section.
  • Theย Medal of Excellenceย from the University of Connecticut Law School Alumni Association, the 11th recipient in 40 years.
  • Aย Distinguished Legal Writing Awardย from the Burton Awards, granted to 35 authors from more than 1,000 submitting firms.
  • A Marvin Award from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).
  • An outstanding service award from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
  • Two awards from the ABA Antitrust Law Section, one in 2012, and an Outstanding Performance Award in 2021, for his leadership role in both creating and administering the Janet D. Steiger Fellowship Project, which itself was the recipient of the ABAโ€™s Meritorious Service Award in 2018.

Bob is a Charter Fellow and former Chair of the James W. Cooper Fellows Program of the Connecticut Bar Foundation, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He was named Best Lawyersโ€™ antitrust lawyer of the year for Hartford on several occasions.

Prior to joining Wiggin and Dana in 1994, Bob participated in more than 20 cases in the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Connecticut Appellate Court, including the first decisions under both the Connecticut Antitrust Act (in a 1975 case) and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) in a 1981 case. He has also assisted in drafting important amendments for both statutes.

Additionally, Bob has participated in numerous cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, including Leegin v. PSKS (2007), which, with the aid of an amicus brief on behalf of PING, co-authored by Bob, overturned a century-old precedent related to vertical price fixing; Hartford Fire v. California (1993), one of the most significant McCarran-Ferguson decisions in our nationโ€™s history, in which Bob represented The State of Connecticut; Ohio v. AMEX (2018), in which Bob co-authored an amicus brief on behalf of two highly regarded antitrust economists in perhaps the most important antitrust decision rendered by the Court in a decade involving how courts should evaluate two-sided markets under the antitrust laws; and, most recently, Connecticut Fine Wine and Spirits, LLC, dba Total Wine & More v. Seagull (2020), where Bob served as Counsel of Record for the intervening defendants, in fending off a cert petition in which the plaintiff/petitioner had unsuccessfully challenged the constitutionally of several Connecticut liquor pricing laws.

In September 2005, at the behest ofย the Congressional Antitrust Modernization Commission, Bob was one of three participants to testify on the subject of the state action immunity doctrine.

From 1990 to 1992, Bob served as Chair of the NAAG Multistate Antitrust Task Force. NAAG established the now commonplace model of multistate attorney general cooperation in consumer protection. That model was born with Bobโ€™s and othersโ€™ work in the 1970s to forge a landmark agreement with General Motors for secretly installing Chevrolet engines in Oldsmobiles.

Bob has participated in numerous pro bono initiatives, including the Fair Factories Clearinghouse (FFC), which, after Bob helped FFC obtain a successful Business Review Letter from the Antitrust Division of the DOJ, now shares documented data about wages and working conditions in foreign manufacturing settings. He also successfully obtained Advisory Opinions from the Federal Trade Commission to enable healthcare nonprofits to pass savings on to their employees and others. Asย Chair of theย Cooper Fellows, he helped launch a program to capture the oral histories of pioneering women in the law in Connecticut.

Bob lectures and writes regularly on antitrust, consumer protection, and healthcare topics. Bob is the co-author of Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices, Business Torts and Antitrust, the foremost treatise on the topic, which is now approaching 2000 pages, updated every year, and intended for Connecticut judges, lawyers, and academicians. His op-ed articles have appeared in The New York Times andย The Hartford Courant.

Every year since 1979, Bob has taught courses as an adjunct professor that include antitrust, unfair and deceptive trade practices and constitutional law at the University of Connecticut School of Business Administrationโ€™s MBA Program (1979-2013) and the University of Connecticut School of Law (2014-present). Bob now also teaches courses as an adjunct professor on both antitrust law and unfair and deceptive trade practices law at the Quinnipiac University School of Law. Bob obtained his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law and his A.B. from Franklin & Marshall College. Bob was admitted to practice in 1973.

Education

  • University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D., 1973)
  • Franklin & Marshall College (A.B., 1970)

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Memberships and Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    • Co-Chair, Janet D. Steiger Fellowship Project, Antitrust Law Section
  • American Bar Foundation
    • Fellow
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Connecticut Bar Association
    • Chair, Antitrust & Trade Regulation Section (1979-80); (2019-24)
  • Connecticut Bar Foundation
    • Member, James W. Cooper Fellows Program (Past Chair)
  • Matthew Bender Antitrust Report
    • Member, Board of Editors

Awards and Recognitions

Best Lawyers (2003-2026, including 2024 Litigation โ€“ Antitrust โ€œLawyer of the Yearโ€)

Super Lawyers (2006-2020)

International Advisory Experts Award (2019)

Top 100 Lawyerย (2019)

The Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Awardย (2019)

Resources

Click to visit, Blog of Reason

blog of reason logo, antitrust, consumer protection,

News

Load More

Publications

Load More

Events

When: June 23, 2025

Location: Chicago, Illinois

People: Robert M. Langer

When: April 24, 2025

at 5:00pm

- 6:00pm

Location: Virtual

People: Robert M. Langer

When: February 6, 2025

People: Robert M. Langer , Benjamin H. Diessel

When: June 25, 2024

Location: Chicago, Illinois

People: Robert M. Langer

When: June 10, 2024

at 10:15am

- 12:15pm

Location: Connecticut Convention Center

People: Robert M. Langer

When: April 2, 2024

at 6:00pm

- 7:00pm

Location: Virtual

People: Robert M. Langer

When: August 2, 2023

at 11:00am

- 11:40am

Location: Mohegan Sun

People: Robert M. Langer

When: August 30, 2023

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

People: Robert M. Langer

When: June 5, 2023

at 9:00am

- 10:00am

Location: Connecticut Convention Center

People: Robert M. Langer

When: March 16, 2023

at 6:00pm

- 8:00pm

Location: Virtual

People: Robert M. Langer

When: February 1, 2023

Location: Virtual

People: Robert M. Langer

When: June 16, 2022

at 12:00pm

People: Robert M. Langer

When: June 13, 2022

at 4:45pm

- 5:45pm

Location: Hartford, CT

People: Robert M. Langer

When: April 6, 2022

at 3:30pm

- 5:00pm

Location: Marriott Marquis, Washington DC

People: Robert M. Langer

When: February 22, 2022

at 10:00am

- 12:00pm

Location: Virtual - Zoom

People: Robert M. Langer

When: June 15, 2021

at 2:00pm

- 4:00pm

Location: Virtual

People: Robert M. Langer

When: January 27, 2021

People: Robert M. Langer

When: December 9, 2020

at 10:00am

- 12:15pm

Location: (Live Webcast)

People: Robert M. Langer

When: September 14, 2020

at 2:00pm

- 4:00pm

Location: (Virtual Presentation)

People: Robert M. Langer

When: February 20, 2019

Location: Webinar

People: Steven B. Malech , Robert M. Langer , Kevin S. Budge

When: May 12, 2020

People: Robert M. Langer

When: January 29, 2020

at 10:00am

- 10:20am

Location: Connecticut Hospital Association in Wallingford, CT

People: Robert M. Langer

When: November 13, 2019

at 4:00pm

- 8:00pm

Location: Inn at Middletown

People: Robert M. Langer

When: October 30, 2019

at 12:00pm

- 2:00pm

Location: FCBA Office

People: Robert M. Langer

When: June 10, 2019

at 9:00am

- 11:00am

Location: Connecticut Convention Center

People: Robert M. Langer

When: May 8, 2019

at 6:00pm

- 8:30pm

Location: Quinnipiack Club

People: Robert M. Langer
Load More

Experience

Trial and Appellate Decisions Argued and/or Briefed

Index

  1. Mobil Oil Corp. v. Killian, 30 Conn. Supp. 87 (1973)
  2. State of New Jersey v. General Motors,ย  419 U.S. 1080 (1974)
  3. Mazzola v. Southern New England Tele. Co., 169 Conn. 344 (1975)
  4. Ajello v. Htfd. Fed. Savings and Loan, 32 Conn. Supp. 198 (1975)
  5. Heslin v. The Liberty Bank for Savings, 1977-1 Trade Cas. (CCH) 61,311 (Conn. Court of Common Pleas 1977)
  6. Naylor v. Case and McGrath, 585 F. 2d 557 (2nd Cir. 1978)
  7. Caldorโ€™s, Inc. v. Bedding Barn, Inc., 177 Conn. 304 (1979)
  8. State v. Hossan-Maxwell, Inc. , 181 Conn. 655 (1980)
  9. New Eng. Accessories Trade Assoc., Inc. v. Browne, 502 F. Supp. 1245 (D. Conn. 1980)
  10. Serlin Wine and Spirit Merchants v. Healy, 512 F. Supp. 936 (D. Conn. 1981)
  11. Shea v. First Federal Savings and Loan Assoc., 184 Conn. 285 (1981)
  12. Hinchliffe v. American Motors Corp., 184 Conn. 607 (1981)
  13. Morgan v. Div. of Liquor Control, 664 F. 2d 353 (2nd Cir. 1981)
  14. In re Grand Jury Investigation v. Cuisinartโ€™s, Inc., 665 F. 2d 24 (2nd Cir. 1981)
  15. U.S. Brewers Assโ€™n, Inc. v. Healy, 532 F. Supp. 1312 (D. Conn. 1982)
  16. Union Labor Life Ins. Co. v. Pireno, 458 U.S. 119 (1982)
  17. U. S. Brewers Association v. Healy, 692 F. 2d 275 (2nd Cir. 1982)
  18. Illinois v. Abbott and Associates, Inc., 460 U.S. 557 (1983)
  19. Ivey, Barnum & Oโ€™Mara v. Indian Harbor Prop., Inc., 190 Conn. 528 (1983)
  20. Heslin v. CT Law Clinic of Trantolo & Trantolo, 190 Conn. 510 (1983)
  21. Obeda v. CT Bd. of Reg. for Professional, 570 F. Supp. 1007 (D. Conn. 1983)
  22. Conway v. Prestia, 191 Conn. 484 (1983)
  23. Monsanto Co. v. Spray-Rite Service Corp., 465 U.S. 752 (1984)
  24. McLaughlin Ford, Inc. v. Ford Motor Co., 192 Conn. 558 (1984)
  25. Waterbury Petroleum Products v. Canaan Oil & Fuel, 193 Conn. 208 (1984)
  26. Copperweld Corp. v. Independence Tube Corp, 467 U.S. 752 (1984)
  27. Lieberman v. F.T.C., 598 F. Supp. 669 (D. Conn. 1984)
  28. Mattox v. F.T.C., 752 F. 2d 116 (5th Cir. 1985)
  29. Town of Hallie v. City of Eau Claire, 471 U.S. 34 (1985)
  30. Lieberman v. F.T.C., 771 F. 2d 32 (2nd Cir. 1985)
  31. Mead v. Burns, 199 Conn. 651 (1986)
  32. E.I.S, Inc. v. CT Bd. of Reg. for Prof. Eng. and Land Surveyors, 200 Conn. 145 (1986)
  33. Russell v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 200 Conn. 172 (1986)
  34. Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Assโ€™n v. Oโ€™Neill, 203 Conn. 63 (1987)
  35. White Oak Corp. v. Dept. of Cons. Pro, 12 Conn. App. 251 (1987)
  36. Bus. Elect. Corp. v. Sharp Elect. Corp., 485 U.S. 717 (1988)
  37. Allied Tube and Conduit Corp. v. Indian Head, Inc., 486 U.S. 492 (1988)
  38. Commissioner of Consumer Protection v. F.O.I.C., 207 Conn. 698 (1988)
  39. Eamiello v. Liberty Mobile Homes Sales, Inc., 208 Conn. 620 (1988)
  40. Daddona v. Liberty Mobile Home Sales, Inc., 209 Conn. 243 (1988)
  41. Gibbs v. Southeastern Investment Corp., 705 F. Supp. 738 (D. Conn. 1989)
  42. Chrysler Corp. v. Maiocco, 209 Conn. 579 (1989)
  43. DuBaldo v. Dept. of Con. Protection, State Elect. Work Ex. Bd., 209 Conn. 719 (1989)
  44. California v. ARC America Corp., 490 U.S. 93 (1989)
  45. Craftsman, Inc. v. Young, 18 Conn. App. 463 (1989)
  46. Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Assโ€™n of U.S. v. Oโ€™Neill, 212 Conn. 83 (1989)
  47. Remington Prod., Inc. v. N. A. Phillips Corp., 717 F. Supp. 36 (D. Conn. 1989)
  48. Lieberman v. Reliable Refuse Co., Inc., 212 Conn. 661 (1989)
  49. General Motors Corp. v. Martine, 213 Conn. 136 (1989)
  50. Connelly v. Housing Auth. City of New Haven, 213 Conn. 354 (1990)
  51. California v. American Stores Co., 495 U.S. 271 (1990)
  52. A. Secondino & Sons, Inc. v. LoRicco, 215 Conn. 336 (1990)
  53. Sidney v. DeVries, 215 Conn. 350 (1990)
  54. Texaco Inc. v. Hasbrouck, 496 U.S. 543 (1990)
  55. Caldor, In. v. Heslin, 215 Conn. 590 (1990), cert. denied U.S. Supreme Court)
  56. State v. Leary, 217 Conn. 404 (1991)
  57. Summit Health, Ltd. v. Pinhas, 550 U.S. 322 (1991)
  58. Morales v. Trans World Airlines, 504 U.S. 374 (1992)
  59. Eastman Kodak Co. v. Image Technical Services, Inc., 504 U.S. 451 (1992)
  60. Toy Mfrs. of America, Inc. v. Blumenthal, 986 F. 2d. 615 (2nd Cir. 1993)
  61. State of Conn. ex. rel. Blumenthal v. Tobacco Valley Sanitation, 818 F. Supp. 504 (D. Conn. 1993)
  62. Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. California, 509 U.S. 764 (1993)
  63. Associated Inv. Co. Ltd Partnership v. Williams Assoc., 230 Conn. 148 (1994)
  64. Normand Josef Enterprises, Inc. v. CT Natโ€™l Bank, 230 Conn. 486 (1994)
  65. Dadiskos v. Connecticut Real Estate Comโ€™n, 37 Conn. App. 777 (1995)
  66. Waterford Parkade, Inc. v. Picardi, 1996-1 Trade Cas. (CCH) ยถ71,348 (Conn. Super. Ct. 1996)
  67. Vacco v. Microsoft Corp., 260 Conn. 59 (2002)
  68. MM Global Services, Inc. v. Dow Chemical Co., 238 F. Supp. 689 (D. Conn. 2003)
  69. MedValUSA Health Programs, Inc. v. MemberWorks, Inc., 273 Conn. 634 (2005)
  70. Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc., 551 U.S. 877 (2007)
  71. Brown and Brown, Inc. v. Blumenthal, 297 Conn. 710 (2010)
  72. Neighborhood Builders, Inc. v. Town of Madison, 142 Conn. App. 326 (2013)
  73. Artieโ€™s Auto Body, Inc. v. Hartford Fire Ins. Co., 317 Conn. 602 (2015)
  74. Ohio v. American Express Company, 138 S. Ct. 2274 (2018)
  75. Connecticut Fine Wine and Spirits, LLC, dba Total Wine & More v. Seagull, 916 F.3d 160 (2d Cir. 2/20/19, amended 7/29/19), affโ€™g 225 F. Supp. 3d 355 (D. Conn. 6/6/17), cert. denied (U.S. Supreme Court 4/6/20)
  76. Glover v. Bausch & Lomb, Incorporated, 343 Conn. 513 (2022)

ย 

Firm Highlights