Mr. Michael J. Guzman

Practice Details

• Firm Information
  Position

  Partner

  Firm Name

  Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C.
• Representative Cases & Transactions
  Cases

  Noteworthy Representations: In re Urethane Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1616 (D. Kan.): In one of the few antitrust class actions to go to trial, Mr. Guzman served as co-lead trial counsel for a class of direct purchasers in a four-week trial alleging price fixing by the Dow Chemical Company. The jury ultimately rendered a $1.2 billion verdict. The verdict was upheld by the Tenth Circuit,
  the case settled while under review by the United States Supreme Court. In its final approval order, the District Court wrote: [i]n almost 25 years of service on the bench, this Court has not experienced a more remarkable result.
  In re Steel Antitrust Litigation, 08-cv-5214 (N.D. IL): Mr. Guzman served as court-appointed co-lead class counsel on behalf of a class of direct purchasers that included all the major automakers as well as a number of other Fortune 500 companies in a proposed class action alleging manufacturers colluded to reduce steel output
  stabilize prices. After defeating a motion to dismiss
  persuading the Court to certify a class, the claims were settled for nearly $200 million in the aggregate. This case was built by the investigation of counsel
  without the benefit of a Department of Justice investigation.
  Baker et al. v. Anschutz Exploration Corporation et al. (W.D.N.Y): Mr. Guzman represented defendant Anschutz Exploration Corporation (AEC) against claims by a group of local homeowners that AEC's natural gas exploration activities in New York contaminated residential water wells. Plaintiffs originally sought $2 billion in alleged damages. Mr. Guzman persuaded the court to focus discovery on issues of causation
  contamination as a way to streamline discovery
  require plaintiffs to carry their burden of proof. Ultimately, Mr. Guzman persuaded the court to preclude plaintiffs' causation expert
  grant complete summary judgment in favor of AEC.