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Caitlin R.Thomas

Partner
Cleveland

O 216.566.5797

Caitlin R.Thomas

Partner

Caitlin is a partner in the Business Litigation and Antitrust, Competition & Distribution practice groups. She focuses on complex commercial litigation and antitrust litigation and counseling. She is known for her problem-solving skills and dedication to clients who are facing complex litigation issues. Her ability to collaborate and work as part of a team makes her the choice when it comes to clients’ litigation needs.

Caitlin’s practice focuses on representing clients in antitrust, product distribution, and unfair competition litigation throughout the United States. She has experience in both state and federal court, including federal class action lawsuits, litigating antitrust claims involving price fixing, no-poach agreements, and price discrimination. Caitlin also regularly counsels manufacturers regarding product distribution issues, agreements, and risk management and litigates contractual arrangements among manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and dealers. She also advises clients on complex issues related to mergers and acquisitions, from risk assessment and reportability under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act to inquiries and investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission related to antitrust and consumer protection issues.

In addition to her antitrust practice, Caitlin litigates complex commercial matters involving financial services and business disputes. She has experience litigating and advising clients on financial services matters, including fraud claims arising out of the electronic flow of funds. Caitlin also regularly litigates complex matters arising out of business disputes that involve breach of contract, restrictive covenants, trade secrets and confidentiality, and earnout provisions. Additionally, Caitlin is a go-to resource for counseling clients on the application of and compliance with U.S. sweepstakes, contests, and raffle laws.

Caitlin is an enthusiastic supporter and participant in the firm’s pro bono practice.

Best Lawyers Ones to Watch 2025
Super Lawyers 2025

Focus Areas

Throughout her career, Caitlin has had the opportunity to hone her litigation and counseling skills on a broad range of matters, including the following:

  • Representing utility companies in action alleging price fixing by four Class I railroads, In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation.
  • Representing a window distributor in an action alleging price discrimination in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act.
  • Represented a government contractor in class action alleging illegal no-poach agreement with other government contracts.
  • Represented a manufacturer of material handling equipment in an arbitration action brought by a dealer involving allegations of breach of contract and violation of the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law.
  • Represented a tire manufacturer in action alleging breach of tire supply agreement.
  • Represented clients in actions involving former employees’ breach of noncompetition and non-solicitation agreements.
  • Representing a technology company in an action alleging breach of an earnout provision in a merger agreement.
  • Representing banks that are exposed to litigation arising out of their operations and relationships with customers, including claims relating to account fraud, check fraud and forged instruments, wire/electronic transfer fraud, certificates of deposit and other time deposit accounts, credit and debit card fraud, ATM fraud, and for alleged violations of check-handling and security procedures.
  • Drafting and advising on the terms of distribution agreements for clients engaged in the manufacture or supply of products in the United States and internationally.
  • Providing guidance to manufacturing clients on appointment of dealers and distributors in the United States and internationally.
  • Counsel clients on the application of and compliance with U.S. sweepstakes and raffle laws.
  • Selected to the Ohio Rising Stars list, 2022-2025
  • Included in the 2021 to 2025 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation
  • Don Sommers Award for Professional Responsibility
  • Excellence in Oral Advocacy Award, Washington University School of Law

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association, Antitrust Law Section, Distribution and Franchising Committee Vice Chair

Community Activities

  • HandsOn Northeast Ohio, former board member

Education

  • Washington Univ in St. Louis School of Law, J.D., 2015,
    cum laude
    ,

    Washington University Law Review, notes editor (2014-2015), staff editor (2013-2014)

  • Ashland University, B.A., 2012,
    summa cum laude
    ,

    salutatorian

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio