Source: https://www.liskow.com/Practices/Business/Business-Litigation
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 16:21:17+00:00

Document:
Long recognized for excellence in complex business and commercial litigation, Liskow & Lewis successfully litigates significant cases throughout the region and the country.
While much of our work is preventive and designed to avoid costly trials, we aggressively litigate an entire range of business matters involving class actions, multidistrict proceedings and other multi-party litigation.
In cases involving federal and state antitrust laws, our lawyers advise clients in a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, distributing, oil, petrochemical and health care.
We routinely and successfully litigate antitrust claims of conspiracy, monopolization, tying, concerted refusal to deal, price fixing, price discrimination and other restraint of trade allegations. Our lawyers defend business entities in criminal antitrust investigations brought by federal and state authorities, and we defend allegations made under Louisiana’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Developed a successful legal theory for removal to federal court of state attorney general suits against industry as disguised "class" and "mass" actions subject to the Class Action Fairness Act. A case of first impression. See State of Louisiana, ex. rel., James D. Caldwell v. Allstate Insurance Co., et. al., 2008 U.S. App. Lexis 15275 (5th Cir. July 18, 2008).
Obtained early dismissal of a parens patriae antitrust suit brought against Amgen, Inc. by the Louisiana Attorney General.
Obtained a dismissal for Tenet Corporation and Meadowcrest Hospital of alleged attempted monopolization and general restraint of trade claims brought by a parish government in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Obtained pretrial dismissal of an antitrust suit brought by the Louisiana Attorney General against BASF, Inc.
Defended Pennzoil in an antitrust suit brought by Louisiana Power and Light. The suit alleged monopolization in the sale of natural gas and a conspiracy to create an artificial shortage of gas.
Obtained the dismissal of Sherman Act claims against a division of Baker Hughes for lack of antitrust standing.
Successfully represented two defendants in the Plywood antitrust litigation, a private treble damages antitrust class action brought by purchasers of plywood against the product’s manufacturers and sellers. The case, based on an alleged price fixing conspiracy, was settled after the U.S. Supreme Court granted writs of review from a decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Our business litigators frequently represent clients in a broad range of disputes involving business tort claims. These matters include fraud, negligent misrepresentation, tortious interference with contract or business relations, misappropriation of trade secrets, libel, slander, abuse of rights, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the implied duties of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment and detrimental reliance.
We handle disputes between franchiser and franchisee, employer and employee, creditor and debtor and disputes between competitors either asserting or defending claims made by their business rivals. Our firm also has considerable success defending business tort claims by motion practice, and we have obtained numerous pre-trial dismissals of these cases.
Secured the dismissal of federal RICO claims filed against former management executives of one of Louisiana’s largest health maintenance organizations in 2003.
Secured a reversal and remand of an award of $72 million in sanctions against a federal banking agency in a director and officer liability case arising out one of the largest bank failures in U.S. history. The firm was hired to handle the matter on appeal from the sanctions award. FDIC v. Maxxam, Inc., et. al., 523 F.3d 566 (5th Cir. 2008).
In a director and officer liability case for a federal banking agency, secured an important victory in the United States Fifth Circuit involving the failure of Louisiana’s largest thrift institution. FDIC v. Barton , 233 F.3d 859 (5th Cir. 2000).
Represented federal banking agencies in major directors’ and officers’ liability cases arising from the failure of federally insured financial institutions, and achieved settlements exceeding $75 million in some cases.
Our attorneys work with a diverse group of multinational corporations, public interest organizations, sole proprietors, authors, public figures and other clients to assure the safety of their intellectual property. In addition to conducting audits and registering trademarks, we aggressively and successfully litigate a broad range of cases in state and federal court, including trademark, trade dress, copyright and trade secrets litigation.
licensing of intellectual property rights of public figures to museums, television production companies and authors; and prosecuting right of publicity actions in cybersquatting disputes.
Liskow & Lewis has successfully defended national malpractice carriers and their insureds for more than 30 years.
Our litigators regularly handle complex professional liability litigation, including legal malpractice, accountant, appraiser and trustee liability cases. We also litigate professional liability insurance matters, including disputes relating to “claims made” policies, notice issues, fraud, prior acts and related exclusions, “omnibus” and extended coverage clauses and other coverage issues.
Successfully represented a national financial institution in its capacity as trustee of one of the largest trusts in the New Orleans area in a case against the predecessor trustee, resolving the case on terms highly favorable to the firm’s client.
Defended a major national accounting firm against professional liability claims arising from the audit of a publicly traded energy company, resolving the case on terms favorable to the client.
Secured the dismissal of malpractice claims against a major national law firm arising from a corporate merger transaction.
Obtained a reversal by the Louisiana Supreme Court of a large malpractice judgment entered against a leading law firm and a national malpractice carrier. The firm was retained to handle the appeal after the adverse judgment was rendered by the district court. Hendrick v. ABC Ins. Co., 00-CC-2403 (La. 5/15/01), 787 So.2d 283.
In a landmark case, successfully argued on behalf of an Arkansas law firm and its malpractice carrier before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The cased involved the duties of underwriters’ counsel in the private placement of securities. Abell v. Potomac Ins. Co. , 858 F.2d 1104 (5th Cir. 1988).
Liskow & Lewis is recognized for our exceptional track record in lessening or eliminating tax liability for our clients at the local, state and federal levels. In the area of tax increment financing, commonly known as TIFs, we have successfully litigated the only two TIF challenges to reach the Louisiana Supreme Court.
A challenge to the use of tax increment financing to fund the construction of a sporting goods retail store with public funds in Livingston Parish. The Louisiana Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of our client, holding that the financing structure at issue violated the Louisiana Constitution. Denham Springs Economic Dev. Dist. v. All Taxpayers, et. al.
A tax increment financing challenge involving its use to fund the developer’s cost of constructing a hotel in the existing World Trade Center in New Orleans.The Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that the TIF statute at issue violated the Louisiana Constitution on multiple grounds World Trade Center Taxing Dist. v. All Taxpayers, et al.
Defense of a major oil company with regard to a state and parish use tax assessment where the overall tax claims asserted exceeded $40 million. The Louisiana Supreme Court decision supported our client’s position. State v. BP Exploration & Oil, Inc.
Attempts to impose Louisiana sales and use tax on the use of compressor fuel or plant fuel at natural gas processing plants in Louisiana.
Disputes over the attempted imposition of Louisiana lease tax on service contracts between an out-of-state company and numerous casinos located in Louisiana.
Attempts to impose Louisiana sales and use tax on the purchase of “pad gas” or “cushion gas” for a Louisiana natural gas storage facility.
Disputes over whether sales of a plant can be considered a sale in the ordinary course of business for Louisiana corporation income tax purposes.
Conflicts concerning the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s attempt to force an out-of-state service provider to use separate accounting for Louisiana corporation income tax purposes.
Disputes over the value of a refinery for local ad valorem tax purposes.
Attempts by a local jurisdiction to impose sales tax on the installation of immovable property at homeowner locations in Louisiana.
Disputes over Louisiana severance tax on the severance of crude oil.
We routinely handle contract and transactional disputes of all kinds, our lawyers regularly obtain pre-trial relief for our clients to avoid the time and expense of unnecessary trials. For example, recently team members obtained summary judgment in favor of a client that had been sued by its construction contractor for a variety of claims, including breach of contract and fraud. Summary judgment was affirmed in full on appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
We have successfully represented plaintiffs and defendants in numerous complex contractual disputes at trial, on appeal, in settlement negotiations and before administrative agencies. These matters include employment and indemnity contracts, insurance coverage, equipment leases, real estate transactions, supply and service contracts, franchisee disputes, manufacturing issues and commercial lending agreements.
After years of handling many of the region's important contractual cases, the firm's commercial litigation group is well positioned to enforce and defend breach of contract cases and to address the complex contractual questions that arise out of these catastrophes. Unique and unforeseen matters result from the emergency-response actions of responsible parties, such as corporate directors and officers and even lawyers. The section's history of handling Louisiana’s major professional liability cases qualifies it to pursue difficult claims and defenses of this type.
Defeated class certification in a nationwide securities fraud class action on an interlocutory appeal based on the plaintiffs’ failure to establish the prerequisites for the fraud-on-the-market presumption. Unger v. Amedisys Inc.
Defended and prosecuted claims for violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with a proxy contest to replace the board of directors. Senetek, PLC v. Heiko Thieme, et al.
Joseph C. "Joe" Giglio, Jr.
Philip K. "Kirk" Jones, Jr.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.