Key Matters
- Achieved a complete defense verdict as lead trial counsel representing a prominent financial services company against breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract claims seeking more than $19 million in damages.
- Lead counsel for a significant life sciences company in the largest case of its type in U.S. history. Among other things, the case concerned the client’s entitlement to more than $175 million in research tax credits. After more than a decade of litigation, John negotiated a favorable settlement with the Department of Justice. By statute, the settlement required approval by the United States Congress Joint Committee on Taxation due to the magnitude of the recovery.
- Successfully argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment for a chemical industry client in a patent license dispute. The case involved the client’s right to produce and market a key product in China and 12 other Asian countries. The resolution was particularly critical to the client’s business operations given its recent investment in a new plant in China to manufacture the product at issue. During the litigation, John uncovered evidence to support a second case against a business competitor for tortious interference.
- Successfully advocated before the Fourth Circuit to uphold a district court’s dismissal of putative class actions against two clients, each alleging claims seeking more than $400 million.
- Secured the dismissal of eight statewide putative class actions on motions to dismiss in Maryland state court. The complaints alleged that the defendants had issued second mortgage loans with improper and excessive closing costs. Following John’s argument on behalf of more than 15 financial institutions, Maryland's highest court upheld the dismissals of all of the pending class actions. John also secured the dismissal of a related statewide putative class action in federal court, which was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit, based on similar allegations related to second mortgage loans in Maryland.
- Successfully argued before the Third Circuit to reverse a district court ruling awarding significant damages arising from a $4 million commercial development agreement. The Third Circuit agreed with John’s argument that the district court had improperly disregarded the terms of a liquidated damages provision in the agreement that barred the plaintiff's claims.
- Prevailed on a motion to dismiss a putative statewide class action against a financial institution premised on alleged predatory lending practices. Successfully led the appeal before Maryland's highest court to affirm the lower court's order.
- Successfully tried a three-week breach of contract action in Pennsylvania state court, representing a large manufacturing company. The plaintiff in the case sought several millions of dollars in damages for what it alleged was a wrongful termination of a contract for logistics services. The court not only issued a defense verdict on the plaintiff's claim, but also awarded damages on the counterclaim.
