December 16, 2022
Chicago Lighting Agent Lawsuit Reaches Settlement
Force Partners has reached a settlement in principle with KSA, Acuity and the Williamses
A 2019 lawsuit filed by Chicago lighting agent, Force Partners against rivals KSA Lighting & Controls, Acuity Brands, KSA President Jim Williams and now-former KSA employee, Ashley Williams, has reached a settlement in principle. The mediation occurred on Tuesday December 13, and a court filing on Friday afternoon revealed that the parties have agreed to end the litigation.
The legal battle among Chicago lighting competitors was initiated when Force Partners, a lighting agency that started in 2017 and is best known locally for being the Cooper Lighting Solutions agent, filed a remarkable lawsuit against its rivals.
The lawsuit made bold claims of a conspiracy among the defendants that allegedly forced Chicago-area lighting and controls distributors to boycott Force Partners. The lawsuit cites the federal Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, the federal Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 and other Illinois legislation, claiming that the defendants aimed to unlawfully reduce consumer choice and raise prices on Acuity Brands products and the other brands that KSA represents.
Terms of the settlement in principle are confidential and not expected to be disclosed.
Related: KSA Exec to Lead New Chicago Cooper Lighting Agency »
