Joseph W. Bruckner Inducted Into the Private Antitrust Hall of Fame

Lockridge Grindal Nauen is pleased to share that Partner Joe Bruckner was honored this month at the American Antitrust Institute’s Private Antitrust Enforcement Conference in Washington D.C., where he was inducted into the AAI Private Antitrust Enforcement Hall of Fame. The event brought together leaders from across the antitrust field who gathered to recognize Joe’s record of service, advocacy, and legal accomplishment.

For more than 35 years, Joe has litigated antitrust, and competition matters throughout the country and has been appointed lead and co-lead counsel in many significant class actions. He serves on both the AAI Advisory Board and the AAI Board of Directors and continues to contribute his insight to the organization’s work.

AAI President Randy Stutz praised the impact of Joe’s career, noting that his leadership, integrity, and persistent advocacy have strengthened competition and delivered meaningful benefits for consumers and workers.

Joe’s experience includes major victories such as the Freight Forwarders Antitrust litigation and the Potash Antitrust litigation, which resulted in a unanimous which resulted in a unanimous en banc (full court) decision from the Seventh Circuit that clarified the proper application of the Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act to international cartels that target American purchasers. He has also served the broader legal community through leadership roles with the Minnesota State Bar Association Antitrust Law Section and the Committee to Support the Antitrust Laws.

A graduate of Creighton University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Creighton Law Review, Joe went on to clerk for the Honorable Donald P. Lay, then Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Reflecting on the recognition, Joe shared his gratitude for the honor and for the many colleagues who have supported and advanced the work of private enforcement. He noted that protecting open and fair markets has been at the center of his career and that the mission continues to inspire him.

The AAI Private Antitrust Enforcement Hall of Fame celebrates significant contributions to private enforcement, distinguished service to the antitrust community, and sustained commitment to advancing competition on behalf of consumers, workers, and businesses alike.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees