Few practitioners can match Gregory L. Curtner’s experience, credentials, achievements, and national reputation as a trial attorney in the combined areas of sports, antitrust, business/commercial, defamation, intellectual property, and securities law. He leads Schiff Hardin’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Group, as well as our firm’s Sports practice.

He is an experienced and proven trial lawyer, who vigorously litigates on behalf of his clients, with a particular emphasis on “bet-the-institution/bet-the-company” cases. Mr. Curtner provides effective and creative counsel that supports his clients’ strategic business goals, and he uses his skill before juries and judges at all trial and appellate levels to support those objectives.

Mr. Curtner’s clients range from athletic organizations and academic institutions and individuals to commercial businesses, manufacturers, and financial services firms.

Through many decades representing athletic equipment manufacturers, sports associations and academic athletics programs, Mr. Curtner has cultivated a particular depth of knowledge in sports law. He has successfully represented many prominent defendants, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), in precedent-setting cases.

He frequently serves as lead counsel in nationwide antitrust disputes and class actions for clients in a wide range of industries, and he has appeared pro hac vice in numerous state and federal courts. A former chairman of the Antitrust Section of the State Bar of Michigan, Mr. Curtner was a primary drafter of the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act.

Mr. Curtner’s representation of Independent filmmaker, Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte and Antidote Films, coupled with his lifelong love of sailing, developed into an onscreen film experience in Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story, a documentary about tradition, craftsmanship, community and the love the of sea.

Mr. Curtner can be reached in Schiff Hardin's Ann Arbor office or in our New York office at 212.745.0837 (phone) and 212.753.5044 (fax).

Experience

Sports/Academic Institutions/Individuals

• Aloha Sports, Inc. v. NCAA, Civil No. CV04-00204 DAE KSC (District of Hawaii 2011) (Sherman Act claim)
• Warrior Sports, Inc. v. Nat'l Collegiate Athletic Ass'n (Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals 2010). Sherman Act
• In re Student-Athlete Likeness Litigation, Case No. 4:09-cv-01967-CW (N.D.Cal. 2009)
• White et al. v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Case No. CV06-0999 RGK (MANx) (C.D.Cal. 2008). (Sherman Act class action claim)
• In re NCAA I-A Walk-On Football Players Litigation (W.D.Wash. 2006) (Sherman Act price-fixing class action)
• Aculeus v. NCAA, Case No. CV-04-4252-GAF (C.D.Cal. 2004) (Sherman Act claim)
• Eric Henkel, et al. v. NCAA, Civil Action No. 02-CV-4060, (E.D.Pa. 2002)
• Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association v. NCAA, Case No. 01-0071 (MGC) (S.D.N.Y 2001) (Sherman Act claim)
• Pocono Invitational Sport Camp, Inc., et al. v. NCAA, Civil Action No. 00-CV-5708 (E.D.Pa. 2000)
• Worldwide Basketball and Sports Tours, Inc., et al. v. NCAA, Civil Action No. C-2-00-1439 (S.D.Oh., Columbus Division 2000)
• Adidas America, Inc., v. NCAA, Civil Action No. 98-2510-GTV (D.Kan. 1998), 40 F.Supp.2d 1275 (D.Kan. 1999), 64 F.Supp.2d 1097) (D.Kan. 1999), and 193 F.R.D. 693 (D.Kan. 2000) (Sherman Act claim)
• In re Baseball Bat Antitrust Litigation, Civil Action No. 98-MC-1249-KHV, 75 F. Supp. 2d 1189 (D.Kan. 1999)
• Law v. National Collegiate Athletic Ass'n, Civil Action Nos. 94-2053, 94-2392, 95-2025-KHV, variously reported at 5 F.Supp.2d 921), (D.Kan. 1998), 185 F.R.D. 324 (D.Kan 1999), 108 F.Supp.2d 1193 (D.Kan. 2000) and prior opinions cited in those decisions
• Baum Research and Development Co., Inc. v. Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Inc., Civil Action No. 98-72946, 31 F.Supp.2d 1016 (E.D. Mich. 1998)
• Yates v. Keane, 184 Mich. App. 80,457 N.W. 2d 693, app. (denied), 437 Mich. 981, 470 N.W. 2d 372; 1991 Mich. LEXIS 936 (April 30, 1991) (breach of personal services contract)
• Copperstone v. Official Sports Center, Inc., 1977-2 Tr. Cases Section 61,623 (E.D.Mich. 1977) (antitrust; exclusive dealing)
• University of Michigan Board of Regents v. State of Michigan, 47 Mich. App. 23 (1973), (aff'd), 395 Mich. 52, 235 N.W. 2d 1 (1975) (constitutional autonomy of University)

Media/Entertainment/Defamation

• Antidote Int’l Films, Inc. v. Bloomsbury Publishing, PLC, 242 F.R.D. 248 (S.D.N.Y. 2007)
• Valassis Communications, Inc. v. News America Inc., Case No. 07-706645 (Wayne County Circuit Court 2007)
• Valassis Communications, Inc. v. News America Inc., Case No. BC367743, (Los Angeles County Superior Court, California 2007)
• Valassis Communications, Inc. v. News America Inc., Case No. 2:06-cv-10240 (E.D. Mich. 2006)
• Dickerson v. Raphael, Civil Action No. NG-W-92-0007117-NZ, (Washtenaw County, Michigan) on appeal 222 Mich.App.185 (1997), rev'd 461 Mich 851 (1999) (Michigan eavesdropping statutes)
• Dougherty v. Capitol Cities Communications, Inc., 631 F.Supp. 1566, 12 Med. L. Rptr. 1952 (E.D.Mich. 1986) (defamation; summary judgment)
• Swenson-Davis v Martel, 135 Mich. App. 632, 354 N.W. 2d 288 (1984) (media; defamation)
• Fry v. Ionia Sentinel Standard, 101 Mich. App. 725; 300 N.W. 2d 687 (1980) (media; invasion of privacy)

Antitrust/Trade Regulation/Restraint of Trade

• SC Manufactured Homes, Inc. v. Liebert, 76 Cal.Rptr.3d 73 (Cal.App. 2 Dist. 2008) cert. denied. (restraint of trade)
• Michigan Division-Monument Builders of North America v. Michigan Cemetery Ass’n, 458 F.Supp.2d 474 (E.D.Mich. 2006), aff’d, 524 F.3d 726 (6th Cir. 2008) (restraint of trade, Sherman Act, and other related claims)
• Antidote International Films, Inc. v. Motion Picture Association of America, 03 Civ. 9393 (MBM), (S.D.N.Y December 5, 2003) (Sherman Act claim)
• Tanaka v. University of Southern California, 252 F3d 1059 (9th Cir. 2001) (Sherman Act claim)
• Action Publications, Inc., v. Panax Corp., 1986-1 Tr. Cases Section 67,028 (W.D., Mich. 1986), (prior dec.), 1986-1 Tr. Cases Section 67,029, appeal dismissed (1989) (antitrust; attempt to monopolize)
• Smith v. Northern Michigan Hospitals and Burns Clinic Medical Center, P.C., 518 F. Supp. 644 (W.D. Mich. 1981) (aff'd in part), (rev'd in part), 703 F.2d 942 (6th Cir. 1983), (later appeal), Smith v Burns Clinic Medical Center, P.C., 779 F2d 1173 (6th Cir. 1985) (antitrust; attempt to monopolize)
• World of Sleep, Inc. v La-Z-Boy Chair Company, 1982-2 Tr. Cases Section 64,854 (D. Colo. 1982), (aff'd in part), (rev'd in part and remanded), 756 F.2d 1467 (10th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 823, (1985) (antitrust; retail price maintenance)
• Friendship Materials, Inc. v. Michigan Brick, Inc., 679 F2d 100 (6th Cir. 1982) (antitrust; preliminary injunction)
• Michigan State Podiatry Association v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, 671 F. Supp. 1139, (later) (op), 681 F. Supp. 1239, (prior) (op)., 1982-2 Tr. Cases Section 64,801 (E.D.Mich. 1982) (antitrust; group boycott)
• Shavronoch v. Clark Oil & Refining Co., 1982-3 Tr. Cases Section 65,093 (E.D. Mich. 1982), (aff'd), (remanded), 726 F.2d 291 (6th Cir. 1984) (antitrust; price discrimination)
• American Custom Homes, Inc. v. Detroit Lumberman's Assn., 91 F.R.D. 548, 1981-2 TR. Cases Section 64, 361 (E.D.Mich. 1981) (antitrust; class certification)
• Clairol, Inc., v. Boston Discount Center, 608 F.2d 1114 (6th Cir. 1979) (antitrust; resale price maintenance)
• D. E. Rogers Associates, Inc. v. Gardner Denver Company, 718 F.2d 1431 (6th Cir. 1977) (antitrust; exclusive dealing)
• Overseas Motors v. Import Motors Limited, 375 F. supp. 499 (E.D. Mich. 1974), (aff'd), 519 F.2d 119 (6th Cir.) (cert. denied), 423 U.S. 987 (1975), (subs. appeal), 595 F.2d 1224 (6th Cir. 1979) antitrust; conspiracy to suppress technology)
• Huron Valley Pub. Co. v. Booth Newspapers, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 659 (E.D.Mich. 1972) (antitrust; relevant markets)

Business/Commercial Disputes/Intellectual Property

• QQC, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 258 F.Supp.2d 718 (E.D.Mich. 2003) (computer software)
• Ameriwood Industries Intern. Corp. v. Arthur Andersen & Co., Civil Action No. 1:95-CV-67 (W.D.Mich. 1997) (accounting malpractice)
• Ameriwood Industries Intern. Corp. v. American Cas. Co. of Reading, Pennsylvania, Civil Action No. 92-CV-658, (W.D.Mich) resulting in reported decisions at 840 F.Supp.1143, 1994 WL 396089 (1994) and 864 F.Supp.34 (W.D.Mich.1994) (D&) insurance coverage)
• Burns Clinic Medical Center, P.C. v. Vorenkamp, 165 Mich. App. 224-481 N.W.2d 393 (1987) (covenant not to compete)
• Amersham Intl. Plc. V. Corning Glass Works, 618. F. Supp. 597, 226 U.S.P.Q. 738 (E.D. Mich. 1984) (patent infringement; stay)
• United States v. Institute of Computer Technology, 403 F. Supp. 922 (E.D. Mich. 1975) (False Claims Act)

Securities/Corporate

• In re Rospatch Securities Litigation and related cases, Civil Action Nos. 90-CV-805, 90-CV-806, 90-CV-807, and 91-CV-085 (W.D.Mich.) resulting in reported decisions at 760 F.Supp.1239 (W.D.Mich. 1991), 802- F.Supp.110 (W.D.Mich. 1992)
• In re Rospatch Securities Litigation, 760 F. supp. 1239, Fed. Sec. L. Rep. Section 96,048 (W.D.Mich. March 14, 1991); Fed. Sec. L. Rep. Section 96,160 (W.D.Mich. July 22, 1991) (securities; fraud on market)
• Metrobanc v. Federal Home Loan Bank Board, 666 F. Supp. 981 (E.D.Mich. 1987) (savings bank conversion)
• Edelman v. Fruehauf Corporation, 643 F. Supp. 1535, CCH F. Sec. L. Rptr. Section 92,863 (E.D.Mich 1986), (aff'd), 798 F.2d 882 (6th Cir. 1986) (securities)
• Lynch Corporation v. Omaha National Bank, 82 F.R.D. 478 (D.S.D. 1979)(aff'd in part and rev'd in part), 666 F.2d 1208 (8th Cir. 1981) (corporate acquisition; breach of warranty)

Constitutional Rights/Criminal

• Equitable Life v. Michigan Citizens Lobby, 423 Mich. 188 (1985) (constitutional rights on private property)
• Michigan Farm Bureau v. The Bureau of Workmen's Compensation, 408 Mich. 141, 289 N.W. 2d 699 (1980) (administrative procedures act)
• United States v. Graham Storage Co., 564 F. Supp. 1239 (E.D. Mich. 1983) (rev'd) 740 F.2d 414 (6th Cir. 1984) criminal; R.E.S.P.A.)
• City of Detroit v. D.P.O.A., 385 Mich. 519; 190 N.W. 2d 97; (1971), (app dism’d), 405 U.S. 950; 31 L Ed 2d 227; (1972) (constitutionality of residence requirement)

Publications

“Eaton Case Could Allow Supreme Court to Refine Standards in Monopolization Cases,” (co-author) Bloomberg BNA – Antitrust & Trade Regulation Report (Feb. 8, 2013)

"How Sports, Celebrities, and Videogames Reshape the Law of Publicity," (co-author) Sports Litigation Alert (Dec. 28, 2012)

"Exclusive: Videos Detail News America Tactics Against Competitors," CNN (October 14, 2011)

"Show and Tell: Misappropriation of the Right of Publicity," (co-author) Counseling Clients in the Entertainment Industry (2011) and Practicing Law Institute (March 2011)

"The BCS: Antitrust Goes Bowling?" (co-author) GCP Magazine (May 2009)

"Antitrust and League Sports: What Happens When Someone Calls a Foul on the Referee?" (co-author) The ABA Trade Association Committee Newsletter (Summer 2007)

"Tying Arrangements after Illinois Tool: The End of the Per-Se Era?" (co-author) Intellectual Property Litigation, ABA Section of Litigation - Intellectual Property Committee, Vol. 18, No. 1 (2006)

Speeches and Presentations

"Show and Tell: Misappropriation of the Right of Publicity," Counseling Clients in the Entertainment Industry 2011 Practicing Law Institute, New York, New York (March 16, 2011)

"Combating Corporate Espionage," Entertainment & Sports Law Conference and Intellectual Property Law Institute, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (November 4-8, 2010)

"Use of Athletes’ Images: An Active Area of Litigation and Licensing," Santa Clara Law Sports Law Symposium, Santa Clara, California (September 16, 2010)

"Getting Real About Making It In Hollywood," American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries First Annual International Legal Symposium on the World of Music, Film, Television and Sports, Miami Beach, Florida (April 22-24, 2010)

"Entertainment Case Law Update," Entertainment & Sports Law Conference and Intellectual Property Law Institute, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (November 11-15, 2009)

"2008 Developments in Sports Antitrust Cases," Entertainment & Sports Law Conference and Intellectual Property Law Institute, Los Cabos, Mexico (November 12-16, 2008)

"When Must Competitors Compete? Antitrust, Sports and the 'Trade or Commerce' Requirement," ABA Antitrust Section Teleconference (October 24, 2007)

"Amateurism and Student-Athlete Representation Under NCAA Regulations," Entertainment & Sports Law Conference and Intellectual Property Law Institute, San Juan, Puerto Rico (November 7-11, 2007)

"Economic Loss Doctrine," Wayne State University Law School (November 2006)

"Relevant Markets in Intercollegiate Sports," 2005 Antitrust and Trade Regulation Seminar, Santa Fe, New Mexico (July 7-9, 2005)

"Symposium on Copyright, Piracy, and the Future of Independent Filmmaking," (panel moderator), 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival (June 17-26, 2004)

Awards and Honors

Benchmark Litigation — Star

Best Lawyers In America, Antitrust; Litigation – Antitrust; Commercial Litigation; Sports Law

Leading Lawyer — Sports Law; General Commercial Litigation, Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business

Michigan Super Lawyers, Antitrust Litigation

Top Lawyers — Antitrust, DBusiness Magazine