In Re Broiler Chicken Antitrust Litigation

This antitrust case involved allegations that the leading producers of broiler chickens in the United States had conspired to restrain supply and capacity to elevate prices paid by customers. Cirque Analytics was retained on behalf of the class of commercial and institutional indirect purchasers to evaluate the impact of the alleged conspiracy, assist counsel in demonstrating common impact, and establish both overcharges at the direct purchaser level and pass-through to indirect purchasers.

Dr. Russell Mangum was retained by counsel for a class of commercial and institutional indirect purchasers in this case. With project management from Maggie Herrington, the team assisted counsel with data production and management, conducted extensive market research, performed econometric and statistical modeling techniques to estimate both overcharges and pass-through, and more broadly helped demonstrate common impact and an appropriate quantification of damages. The team also utilized publicly available data to demonstrate the efficacy of defendants’ alleged scheme on reducing the supply of broiler chicken products for sale in the United States. Dr. Mangum testified in multiple depositions and in a bench trial (evidentiary hearing) after which the Court granted motion for class certification. Following class certification, Cirque Analytics continued to address the issue of damages through the merits phase of the case.

Indirect purchaser plaintiffs negotiated a successful settlement prior to the start of trial in 2024.