Commercial Litigation
In 2009, I was retained to represent a successful developer of hotel properties who was being sued by a large international hotel chain in a very volatile contract dispute with many millions of dollars at stake. In addition to defending the action brought against the developer and bringing a counter suit for fraud and other causes of action in Maryland, I represented the developer in an emergency hearing and then in more drawn out related litigation in Delaware Chancery Court where the hotel chain had filed a second action against him to attempt to gain leverage. My client had a very valuable property which the hotel chain had seized and it sought to have the Delaware Court approve its seizure. In addition to the value of the property, an immediate tax exchange recapture amount of close to $11 million was at stake. In a long and well reasoned decision, after months of litigation, the Vice Chancellor before whom we argued the case ruled in my client’s favor and stayed the Delaware action.
In a wrongful death products liability action in New York State Supreme Court, I represented the family of a Brooklyn woman who was killed when an ordinary aerosol can she was using exploded. After a great deal of research and an attempt to settle the action without litigation, I filed suit in New York on various product liability theories, including allegations of inadequate warnings for this highly flammable product. After the Court ruled in my client’s favor on a motion to dismiss, the company settled the litigation with us.
I have on several occasions in various federal courts, defended a company that is one of the country’s largest providers of luxury goods to internet retailers and to large discount retail chains against trademark infringement claims brought by major designers, including Hilfiger, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, and others. In one case, I was retained before suit was filed and we succeeded in avoiding a lawsuit altogether. In another case the CEO of the trademark holder settled the case personally with my client, inviting the client to become a preferred seller of the company’s luxury goods. Another case is currently pending in the Southern District of New York.
In 2009, I settled a case I had filed in federal court in Maryland on behalf of a man who had been shopping at a major upscale department store when he was attacked by security guards and falsely accused of stealing merchandise. He was locked in a room and questioned for a long time before being released. His pleas to speak with management and to have them examine his bag and his receipts were ignored and the handcuffs in which he was kept caused him a great deal of pain. He was a member of one of the Washington area’s most highly respected and philanthropic families and had never been subjected to such treatment. This was reflected in the damages paid to him.
In another recent case, I represented the former client of a major Washington, DC law firm who had lost his business in part as a result of negligent representation by a non-lawyer the firm had held out to the client as a lawyer. After some protracted negotiations, the law firm hired one of the top litigation firms in the country and based on a Complaint that I drafted and was prepared to file in federal court in Washington and our continued discussions, the case was settled without having to formally file suit, avoiding the publicity that undoubtedly would have attended the filing, given the high profile of the parties.
In addition to litigation, my practice also includes advising people and public interest organizations in contract negotiations and on policy issues. This part of the practice has ranged from the negotiation of employment and endorsement contracts for professional athletes to advising and representing advocacy organizations in their work. I also have represented these clients in litigation when that was the only course. On occasion, when I have found the organization’s mission compelling, I have served on their Board of Trustees or Board of Directors as well.
In a wrongful death products liability action in New York State Supreme Court, I represented the family of a Brooklyn woman who was killed when an ordinary aerosol can she was using exploded. After a great deal of research and an attempt to settle the action without litigation, I filed suit in New York on various product liability theories, including allegations of inadequate warnings for this highly flammable product. After the Court ruled in my client’s favor on a motion to dismiss, the company settled the litigation with us.
I have on several occasions in various federal courts, defended a company that is one of the country’s largest providers of luxury goods to internet retailers and to large discount retail chains against trademark infringement claims brought by major designers, including Hilfiger, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, and others. In one case, I was retained before suit was filed and we succeeded in avoiding a lawsuit altogether. In another case the CEO of the trademark holder settled the case personally with my client, inviting the client to become a preferred seller of the company’s luxury goods. Another case is currently pending in the Southern District of New York.
In 2009, I settled a case I had filed in federal court in Maryland on behalf of a man who had been shopping at a major upscale department store when he was attacked by security guards and falsely accused of stealing merchandise. He was locked in a room and questioned for a long time before being released. His pleas to speak with management and to have them examine his bag and his receipts were ignored and the handcuffs in which he was kept caused him a great deal of pain. He was a member of one of the Washington area’s most highly respected and philanthropic families and had never been subjected to such treatment. This was reflected in the damages paid to him.
In another recent case, I represented the former client of a major Washington, DC law firm who had lost his business in part as a result of negligent representation by a non-lawyer the firm had held out to the client as a lawyer. After some protracted negotiations, the law firm hired one of the top litigation firms in the country and based on a Complaint that I drafted and was prepared to file in federal court in Washington and our continued discussions, the case was settled without having to formally file suit, avoiding the publicity that undoubtedly would have attended the filing, given the high profile of the parties.
In addition to litigation, my practice also includes advising people and public interest organizations in contract negotiations and on policy issues. This part of the practice has ranged from the negotiation of employment and endorsement contracts for professional athletes to advising and representing advocacy organizations in their work. I also have represented these clients in litigation when that was the only course. On occasion, when I have found the organization’s mission compelling, I have served on their Board of Trustees or Board of Directors as well.
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