Sheppard Mullin, Meade Instruments Reach $4.45 Million Settlement

Telescope manufacturer Meade Instruments Corp. and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP reached a $4.45 million settlement over claims stemming from an antitrust lawsuit that ultimately led to Meade’s bankruptcy.

Meade’s competitor, Orion Telescopes and Binoculars, won a $16 million jury verdict against Meade and its affiliates in 2019. Meade faced total liability in excess of $50 million once treble damages were applied.

But the company, which received court approval of its bankruptcy plan in April, filed Chapter 11 before a federal district court in California could enter final judgment.

Sheppard Mullin represented Meade in the antitrust lawsuit and filed ...