A. Christopher Young Quoted in WWD Article, 'Alleged 'No-Hire' Pact at Saks, Luxury Brands Raises Complex Antitrust Issues'
A. Christopher Young, a partner with Pepper Hamilton and chairman of the Franchise, Distribution, and Marketing Section of the Trial and Dispute Resolution Practice Group, was quoted in the February 20, 2020 Women's Wear Daily article, " Alleged 'No-Hire' Pact at Saks, Luxury Brands Raises Complex Antitrust Issues."
Saks Fifth Avenue is facing allegations by three former sales associates claiming that it conspired with brands operating shops-in-shop to keep staff from jumping ship.
"It depends on a lot of the facts," said A. Christopher Young, a partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP who advises clients on antitrust issues and is not involved in the case. "What's important is to understand the context in which [any] agreement is made." If the suit progresses toward discovery, the phase where each side asks the other for evidence and information, the plaintiffs would likely try to unearth any formal no-hire agreements, or, if there isn't one in writing, try to show if there was a pattern of restrictive hiring practices.