Goldfarb v. Virginia State Bar
United States Supreme Court
421 U.S. 773 (1975)
- Written by Richard Lavigne, JD
Facts
The Goldfarbs (plaintiffs) entered into an agreement to purchase real property in the state of Virginia. The Goldfarbs needed to hire an attorney licensed with the Virginia State Bar (defendant) to perform a title examination. The first attorney the Goldfarbs spoke with informed them that he would charge no less than the amount set forth in a minimum fee schedule, established by the local county bar association (defendant). The Goldfarbs inquired of several other attorneys and found none who were willing to charge less than the published minimum fee amount. The Goldfarbs brought a class action suit in federal court against the state and county bar associations, claiming that the minimum fee schedule amounted to illegal price fixing under the Sherman Act. The federal appellate court ruled in favor of the bar associations. The Goldfarbs petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Burger, C.J.)
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