Source: https://www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/melanie-black-dubis
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 20:22:45+00:00

Document:
Melanie Dubis handles complex patent, securities, and other business disputes at the trial and appellate level for corporate and individual clients in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, insurance, financial services, and technology industries.
She has experience in North Carolina state and federal courts, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and Federal Circuits, and in arbitration proceedings.
Melanie has represented generic pharmaceutical manufacturers in patent litigation under the Hatch-Waxman Act, served as national defense counsel in class action lawsuits involving insurance regulations pending in multiple federal jurisdictions, and defended clients in false advertising and unfair competition claims filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). She also represents corporations and their boards of directors in derivative actions.
She appreciates that her clients benefit from doing business in a thriving business region with a high quality of life, and she plays an active role in keeping the Raleigh-Durham area at the top of the “best of” lists through service on numerous boards and committees.
Obtained a defense award for claims of breach of contract, defamation, tortious interference with prospective advantage, and wrongful termination. Carlson v. LPL Financial, LLC FINRA Case No. 14-0001.
Defended accounting firm against claims of negligence and negligent misrepresentation. After depositions of more than 50 witnesses, including experts, the case, in which more than $100 million of damages were alleged, was resolved. Harco v. BDO Seidman, LLP, North Carolina Business Court (2006-2009).
Successfully defended Ernst & Young against securities fraud claims arising out of alleged false and misleading quarterly financial statements and audit opinion. The court dismissed all claims on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion on the grounds that the complaint failed to plead scienter. aaiPharma v. Ernst & Young, LLP, 521 F.Supp.2d 507 (E.D.N.C. 2007).
Obtained dismissal of purported class action claims asserted against insurance broker. Represented client as national counsel in similar cases filed in multiple jurisdictions resulting in a nationwide settlement. Petruzzo v. Healthextras, Inc. et al. 5:12-CV-112-FL (E.D.N.C.).
Defended alleged class action filed in state court arising out of federal claims filed by the FTC. Federal Trade Commission v. Oil-Chem Research Corp. (M.D.N.C. and N.C. Superior Court).
Obtained dismissal of all claims by independent contractors asserted against international manufacturer and distributor regarding alleged breaches of distribution agreements and other alleged tortious conduct. Melvin Colon, et al. v. Bimbo Food Bakeries Distribution, LLC, et al., 15:14-CV-316-D (E.D.N.C.).
Represented individual defendant in case alleging inter alia, trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair and deceptive trade practices. Plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction was denied. After plaintiff’s Chapter 75 claims were dismissed on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, plaintiff dismissed all other claims. Voyager Pharmaceutical Corp. v. Bowen, et al., North Carolina Business Court (2006-2008).
Represented plaintiffs in patent infringement action related to variable speed pump technology. Pentair Water Pool and Spa, et al. v. Hayward Industries, Inc., et al. 5:11-CV-459 (E.D.N.C).
Obtained TRO, preliminary injunction and summary judgment on behalf of company against shareholders purporting to act on behalf of the company. Velleros, Inc. v. Taren J. Patterson, et al. 13CVS5834 (N.C. Business court).
Defended officers and directors of a Fortune 500 company against shareholder derivative claims of bad faith and breach of fiduciary duties arising out of the sale of an industrial park adjacent to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Chancery Court held that the defendant directors’ decisions were protected by the business judgment rule and granted summary judgment. The Chancery Court’s ruling was upheld by the Delaware Supreme Court. In re Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Derivative Litigation, 2003 WL 22400758 (Del. Ch. 2003), aff’d, No. 546, 2003 (Del. Sup. Ct. May 12, 2004).
Represented low-wealth school districts in what has been described as one of “the most important North Carolina Supreme Court rulings in living memory.” The Leandro case established the state constitutional right to a sound basic education for all public school students in North Carolina. After a five-week trial, the trial court ruled in the plaintiff low-wealth school districts’ favor. The trial court’s rulings were largely upheld by the Supreme Court in 2004. Since 2004, the case has resulted in an increase of more than $1 billion in funding for at-risk students in every county of North Carolina. Hoke County Board of Education v. State, 358 N.C. 605 (2004).

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