Litigation

Successfully defended a client in an $18 million lawsuit filed in federal court alleging violations of federal securities laws, state law fraud and intentional misrepresentation concerning the client's purchase of the plaintiffs' interest in a company formed after the Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010 to employ unique centrifuge technology to separate oil from water to assist oil spill remediation efforts in the Gulf.

Successfully defended a leading international bond insurer in a suit before the Western District of Louisiana against claims for fraud, conspiracy to defraud, unfair business practices, negligent misrepresentation and other intentional and non-intentional business torts seeking more than $1.1 billion in damages based on allegations that the insurer, individually and in concert with various investors and other credit insurers, sought to force the plaintiff hospital system into a default on a series of conduit financing bonds used to develop integrated and stand-alone facilities within the plaintiff's system.

Extensive experience in defending major automobile manufacturers against product defect claims, including defense verdict after five-week jury trial involving 18-year-old driver who was ejected from an SUV and rendered a paraplegic and defense verdict after two-week trial involving deaths of three children who were ejected from an SUV.

Obtained dismissal of a $10.5 million action against a piano string manufacturer that included purported causes of action under the Tennessee Public Protection Act and common law prohibition against retaliatory discharge and outrageous conduct.

Represented an international building products manufacturer in the defense of thousands of class action claims associated with its allegedly defective Chinese-manufactured drywall. The multi-district litigation was assigned to the Eastern District of Louisiana, and involved complex issues regarding construction, product liability, and international law. After conducting several bellwether trials, a settlement was reached.

Successfully settled a multi-million dollar litigation suit for a local university against allegations of water intrusion in a dormitory.

Obtained a "zero" jury verdict after a six-week jury trial in the 15th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Lafayette in a case involving a brain-damaged baby, valued by the plaintiffs to be worth between $26 and $40 million.

Achieved a defense verdict in a nursing home negligence trial in which the plaintiff alleged that a nursing home allowed a resident's foot ulcer to deteriorate into a large, stage IV wound, requiring a leg amputation.

Defended a global automobile and truck manufacturer with respect to a nationwide class action alleging defective brake assemblies on one of the manufacturer's truck lines. After we removed the case to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act and filed a motion to dismiss under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and common law fraud, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal.

Obtained dismissal of 50-plus nationwide antitrust class actions filed against an LTL Commercial Motor Carrier. The plaintiffs alleged the client wrongfully conspired with other motor carriers in the industry to set surcharge rates.

Counseled a major defense contractor on a disclosure to the government of billing irregularities and successfully avoided False Claims Act liability.

Represented spinal screw manufacturer in mass tort litigation (more than 1,600 separate plaintiffs in 35 state and federal cases) involving claims of manufacturing defects and multiple FDA violations. Obtained 25 summary judgments, seven affirmances on appeal, ultimate dismissal of all claims and no judgment against the client.

Represented a joint venture entity that constructed a $900 million automobile manufacturing facility in the Southeast. Assisted in all phases of project including contract negotiations with owner, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, and local, state and federal agencies.

Successfully defeated a 45,000-individual collective action in a suit alleging that our client's business model of using independent contractors violated the law. After the court granted certification, we achieved a number of critical victories surrounding the notice process, the discovery process and the proposed class, resulting in less than 1,400 plaintiffs opting in to the case. We then argued for and used the information from the individual discovery process to seek dismissal with prejudice of the opt-in plaintiffs' claims. Plaintiffs approached about voluntary decertification, which was more favorable than an order from the court.