By Maria Chutchian

Law360, New York (February 10, 2012, 10:25 PM ET) -- A New York bankruptcy judge on Friday agreed to allow potential antitrust class actions against once-bankrupt automotive supplier Lear Corp. to proceed, but only allowed the plaintiffs to file claims based on alleged conduct that occurred after Lear exited bankruptcy.

However, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Allan L. Gropper ruled that the claims must be brought before the court overseeing the antitrust multidistrict litigation that incorporates the automotive electronic systems maker’s alleged price-fixing conduct.

In October, almost two years after Lear’s reorganization plan was approved, indirect purchasers filed...