Source: http://wtotrial.com/Experience.aspx
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 08:54:56+00:00

Document:
Successfully represented a publicly traded apartment REIT in nationwide litigation alleging intentional torts against a leading short-term rental company. The litigation was significant to the apartment industry and web-based rental platforms. The defendants settled all litigation on the eve of the first trial on terms allowing WTO's client to control short-term rental activity consistent with its contract and property rights.
Won a defense verdict as co-counsel to defeat $800 million claims in a bet-the-company shareholder dispute involving an oil and gas client.
Slavin v. Garrison Prop. & Cas. Ins. (D. Colo. 2018) - Won a defense verdict for USAA/Garrison in a bad faith jury trial in which the plaintiff claimed USAA must pay for a special run of bricks in order to fully repair the plaintiff's home. A 12-member jury unanimously rejected the plaintiff's claims, agreeing that USAA had acted in good faith.
American Family v. Copper Oaks (D. Colo. 2018) - Won reversal of a $3 million property appraisal award against American Family and disqualification of the plaintiff's national property appraiser as well as the umpire on grounds that they were not impartial and failed to disclose directly relevant financial incentives and relationships.
IBM Corp. v. City of Golden, et al. (Denver Cnty. Ct. 2018) - Won a trial verdict for IBM as plaintiff in a $6.1 million tax dispute against the City of Golden involving sales and use taxes assessed over a seven-year span.
Won an arbitration involving a $50 million claim brought by a joint venture partner against WTO's oil and gas company client.
FCA v. Spitzer Autoworld Akron, 17-1161 (6th Cir. 2018) - Argued and won for FCA (fka Chrysler) in the Sixth Circuit in a case involving the question of whether federal legislation enacted following the Chrysler bankruptcy preempted Ohio state dealer laws.
Webb v. Volvo Cars (E.D. Penn. 2018) - Obtained dismissal of a putative class action lawsuit against Volvo involving alleged misrepresentation and false labeling related to safety features.
Won a Tenth Circuit appeal for a leading U.S. railroad operator defending a district court order that dismissed a third-party intervenor's claims against WTO's client based on lack of standing to enforce an EPA consent decree.
Claycomb v. Fox (Colo. Ct. App. 2017) - Won reversal and remand of an adverse jury verdict and affirmed sanctions against opposing counsel. The defendant's insurer hired WTO to handle the appeal after the trial judge directed that the defendant be found at least 51% liable, leading the jury to award the plaintiff over $1,000,000.
Francis et al. v. Camel Point Ranch (Mesa Cty. Dist. Ct. 2017) - Won a four-day bench trial and obtained a dissolution decree and judgment against a closely held Colorado corporation. The win prohibited majority shareholders from illegitimately interfering with minority shareholders' share and property rights. It also blocked attempts to divest one of WTO's clients at below one-sixth of the actual value of his shares.
Represented a Fortune 20 company in an international arbitration hearing that resulted in a settlement, after the hearing concluded, for more than 90% of our client's claim.
In re Sears, Roebuck & Co. Front-Loading Washer Products Liability Litigation (7th. Cir. 2017) - Won unanimous Seventh Circuit victory in a fee dispute for Whirlpool and Sears arising out of a certified federal class action lawsuit that WTO favorably settled after winning a defense verdict in the bellwether trial of related claims.
Won an arbitration ruling for $2.9 million, including punitive damages, for an investment fund misled into overpaying for an oil field services company based on misrepresentations made during the sale and omissions made during settlement negotiations regarding the sale.
West Colorado Motors (AutoNation) v. General Motors et al., 16SC650 (Colo. 2017) - Obtained a rare reversal of certiorari from the Colorado Supreme Court in a high-stakes dealer relocation dispute for GM.
Kljajic et al. v. Whirlpool (N.D. Ill. 2017) - Defeated class certification amid allegations that 2,000,000 Whirlpool-made ovens were prone to overheat. WTO attorneys disqualified the plaintiffs' expert witness and successfully argued that the claims were overly broad and the plaintiffs' purported theories for failure were too many to achieve certification.
Stillwater Mining Co. v. Power Mount, Inc. (D. Colo. 2017) - Won a complete defense ruling for Power Mount after a week-long bench trial involving a breach of contract claim in which the plaintiff sought $28 million.
Edwards v. USAA (Colo. Boulder Cnty. Dist. Ct. 2017) - Won a defense verdict for USAA against a claim of negligent misrepresentation after a contentious appeal. After prevailing on eight claims on summary judgment, one claim was remanded for trial after an appeal. USAA won on the final claim after a six-day jury trial in Boulder County.
Byorth et al. v. USAA, 2016 MT 32 - Won Montana Supreme Court reversal of class certification against USAA in bad faith litigation and remand to the district court for further proceedings.
McNamara v. USAA (Colo. Dist. Ct. Arapahoe Cnty. 2016) - Won a complete defense jury verdict for USAA in the first ever bad faith trial challenging USAA's handling of claims for medical payments coverage claims.
West Colorado Motors v. General Motors (Colo. Ct. App. 2016) - Successfully defended General Motors in the relocation of an automobile dealership in which the plaintiff alleged that GM unreasonably approved the dealership's move.
General Steel v. Armstrong Steel (D. Colo. 2016) - Won a jury verdict for Armstrong Steel against claims of false advertising and defamation in a two-week trial in federal court in Colorado. A competitor of Armstrong sought millions of dollars.
Won a unanimous decision from the State of Colorado Multidistrict Litigation Panel defeating an effort to create a broad MDL for insurance bad faith cases that would have set a dangerous precedent in Colorado and other states. WTO successfully argued that the plaintiffs sought to incorrectly emphasize general claims handling guidelines over the individual claims decisions of each adjuster, and which could have been applied to any type of insurance coverage, not simply the cases at issue.
Corvax v. Continental Resources (Colo. Ct. App. 2016) - Won a victory in the Colorado Court of Appeals for Continental Resources in a dispute involving purported rights to a Colorado oil and gas lease.
Won summary judgment for a major ski resort as plaintiff in a contract dispute involving a wireless infrastructure contractor.
EPMM Colorado v. Green Cross Colorado (Denver Cnty. Dist. Ct. 2015) - Won reversal of a TRO that had been issued ex parte at the close of business on a Friday, effectively shutting down operations for a major manufacturing and distribution client, and subsequently won rejection of the injunction against WTO's client.
Jewkes v. USAA (D. Colo. 2015) - Successfully defended insurer USAA in an insurance bad faith and breach of contract trial arising out of the devastating Waldo Canyon wildfire of 2012. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed one claim the morning of trial, lost another claim, and was awarded just five figures on the third claim after having demanded more than $1 million.
Porter v. Smithkline Beecham (Phila. Ct. Com. Pl. 2015) - Contributed to summary judgment win for Pfizer in a Zoloft birth defect case in Philadelphia. WTO partner Jim Hooper cross-examined the plaintiffs' only expert to offer live testimony, leading to the exclusion of both of the plaintiffs' experts. This was the second time courts excluded causation experts in Zoloft birth defect litigation. In 2014, Hooper cross-examined three causation experts in federal multidistrict litigation in Philadelphia; all three were barred from offering causation opinions.
Mathew Enterprise v. Chrysler Group (Cal. Super. Ct. Santa Clara Cnty. 2015) - Won a complete defense decision following a month-long, California trial for Chrysler Group and Chrysler Realty in a five-year, $50 million lawsuit including statutory, fraud, and contract claims.
Won remand from the Colorado Court of Appeals vacating the district court's order finding WTO's client in contempt of a settlement agreement involving a real estate dispute and directing the case for further consideration. The ruling undid the district court's finding of $10,000/day sanctions allegedly accruing against our client since April 2014 (totaling potentially just more $5 million in contempt fines). A related appeal on the merits of the case is pending.
Neale v. Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, No. 14-1540 (3rd Cir. 2015) - Won a precedential, Third Circuit opinion for Volvo that vacated a district court's order to certify classes in six states to pursue claims that the sunroof drains in all Volvo models manufactured from 2003 to the present are defective. The circuit court remanded the case with instructions to "rigorously analyze predominance in the first instance."
Allstate Ins. Co. v. Med. Lien Mgmt., Inc., 2015 CO 32 - Won reversal from the Colorado Supreme Court for Allstate in a precedent-setting ruling on the practice of "assigning" potential future personal injury settlements to third parties, such as medical lien companies.
L.G. Motorsports v. NGMCO & Michelin (5th Cir. 2015) - Won Fifth Circuit affirmance of a trial court's summary judgment for Michelin in a case alleging that Michelin and General Motors conspired to prevent the plaintiff from obtaining Michelin racing tires for use in the American Le Mans racing series. The original complaint included antitrust claims, which were dismissed, and unfair competition claims that survived until discovery, when no evidence supporting such claims was produced and the trial court granted summary judgment.
Fresno Motors v. Mercedes-Benz USA, No. 12-15981 (9th Cir. 2014) - Won a Ninth Circuit appeal for Mercedes-Benz USA in a published opinion upholding WTO's successful motion for summary judgment at the trial court level. The opinion supported MBUSA's right of first refusal relating to the sale of a dealership, and it expressly established that the prospective buyer cannot sue for tortious interference.
Won a complete jury verdict for a contractor who claimed a Canadian software company failed to pay him amounts due under a contract. The jury, in Douglas County, Colorado, returned a verdict in favor of WTO's client after 22 minutes of deliberation, awarding all the damages the client requested.
Phathong v. Tesco (10th Cir. 2014) - Overturned a $4.2 million jury verdict in a Tenth Circuit appeal for our oil and gas company client.
Sipes v. Allstate Indemnity (D. Colo. 2013) - Won complete defense verdict in a bad faith matter on behalf of Allstate before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
Won before the Colorado Court of Appeals on behalf of an insurance company in a breach of contract matter.
Amata v. Toyota (C.D. Cal. 2013) - Won dismissal of a nationwide class action alleging defects in two Scion vehicles.
Defended the appeal to the Montana Supreme Court of a jury verdict favoring Ford Motor Company in a product liability case involving a fatal car accident.
Savett v. Whirlpool (N.D. Ohio 2012) - Secured dismissal with prejudice of a putative nationwide class action complaint alleging that certain Whirlpool washing machines were "mislabeled" with the Energy Star logo.
Hoffman v. Ford (10th Cir. 2012) - Won Tenth Circuit reversal of a federal district court jury verdict favoring the plaintiff and secured a judgment in favor of Ford Motor Co. in a product liability case involving a rollover crash in which the plaintiff was rendered a quadriplegic.
Won a reversal from the Tenth Circuit in favor of BP in a case alleging underpayment of royalties.
Won a unanimous jury defense verdict in a three-week trial in Denver District Court for USAA. WTO lawyers defeated breach of contract and bad faith claims in connection with USAA's refusal to provide coverage for a roof on the plaintiffs' property. The jury returned a complete defense verdict in less than one hour.
Eagle v. Chrysler - Represented Chrysler in a case in which several Chrysler dealers asserted Chrysler failed to comply with an obligation to provide new dealerships following its bankruptcy. Following trial, the Court entered judgment for Chrysler.
Successfully defended Chrysler against an automobile dealership's allegations of oppressive and unreasonable terms in a letter of intent to enter into a franchise agreement after Chrysler's bankruptcy in a franchise case of national significance.
Chrysler v. Colorado Secretary of State (S.D.N.Y. 2012) - Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Chrysler Group LLC and Old Carco Motors LLC in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in a case involving the constitutionality of a Kentucky state dealer statute.
Briefed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, resulting in full affirmance of a verdict in favor of WTO's client, Chrysler Group, on a federal statutory issue of first impression stemming from Congress's enactment of Section 747 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010.
Mercedes-Benz v. Star Automobile (M.D. Ga. 2011) - Won a preliminary injunction in Georgia for Mercedes-Benz USA in a dealership breach of contract dispute involving the sale of a dealership to a proposed buyer that MBUSA did not want as a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
WhiteWave Foods, Co. v. Northland Organic Foods (Boulder Cnty. Dist. Ct. 2011) - Won a verdict in Boulder District Court of Colorado in favor of a food production company in a breach-of-contract action it brought against the sole shareholder and officer of an organic food production company.
Obtained summary judgment for Chrysler in a preemption case involving the award of future franchises.
Fresno Motors v. Mercedes-Benz (E.D. Cal. 2010) - Secured a ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California that denied a dealership's petition to compel WTO's client, Mercedes-Benz USA, to submit to arbitration regarding an asset purchase agreement.
Saaremets v. Whirlpool (E.D. Cal. 2010) - Obtained dismissal of a plaintiff's class action complaint alleging false advertising filed against Whirlpool.
Scoggins v. Encompass Insurance (Colo. App. 2009) - Defended an appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals that affirmed the trial court's finding that WTO's client, Encompass Insurance, was not liable for the claims brought against it in an insurance case. Subsequently defended the award of costs to WTO's client.
In re Old Carco (S.D.N.Y. Bankr. 2009) - Obtained voluntary dismissal of all claims by dealers in several states asserting that Chrysler Group LLC, which succeeded Chrysler LLC following its 2009 bankruptcy, was essentially obligated to assume the contracts of dealers that had been rejected by Chrysler LLC during bankruptcy proceedings.
Morgan v. Ford (W.Va. 2009) - Won summary judgment from the West Virginia Supreme Court in a federal preemption case involving claims that Ford Motor Co. should have used different glass in its vehicle windows.
Colorado Coffee Bean v. Peaberry Coffee - Defended a franchisor against fraud claims made by franchisees, who sought tens of millions of dollars in actual and punitive damages. After a five-week trial, WTO won judgment for our client. The Court awarded $2 million in attorneys' fees against the franchisees.
Thunder Mountain Custom Cycles v. Thiessen Products, 72 F.3d 604 (D. Colo. 2008) - Obtained dismissal of claims against a manufacturer of high-end motorcycle parts in a product liability case in federal court in Colorado. Following dismissal of plaintiff's claims, WTO's client was awarded over $1 million on its counterclaim of payments owed.
Stewart v. Foster Wheeler (D. Iowa 2008) - Won a defense jury verdict for Foster Wheeler in the first asbestos wrongful death case tried to a verdict in Iowa in over 10 years.
Wobst v. Allstate Insurance, 262 Fed. App'x 75 (10th Cir. 2008) - Summary judgment affirmed.
Allen v. Martin, 203 P.3d 546 (Colo. App. 2008.) - Obtained summary judgment on a previously undecided question of Colorado law.
Ganyard v. Allstate Insurance (Colo. App. 2008) - Summary judgment affirmed.
Obtained a temporary restraining order in Denver District Court against a retailer and its owner in a brand-protection case WTO handled for a well-known appliance manufacturing company.
Won a defense verdict for a physician in Tennessee against wrongful death, malpractice, and negligence claims following laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
Conroy v. Dennis (Colo. 2006) - Successfully tried to verdict a case in which our clients proved that Colorado's electronic voting systems had not been tested and certified in accordance with the law. The case led to major changes in Colorado election law.
Auto Stiegler v. Mercedes-Benz USA (C.D. Cal. 2006) - Won a complete jury verdict in a franchise dispute in Los Angeles, defeating all of the plaintiff's claims and winning all six counterclaims and an award of over $7 million, including punitive damages, for Mercedes-Benz USA.
DaimlerChrysler v. Lew Williams, 48 Cal.Rptr.3d 233 (Cal. Ct. App. 2006) - Won a precedent-setting judgment from the California Court of Appeals, which preserved a favorable trial court finding that guaranteed the right of automotive manufacturers to enter into litigation waiver contracts under a relatively common anti-waiver dealer act provision.
Bloomington Chrysler v. DaimlerChrysler (D. Minn. 2005) - Obtained dismissal of claims relating to alleged dealer act violations for DaimlerChrysler.
DaimlerChrysler v. Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission (Miss. Lincoln County Ch. Ct. 2005) - Obtained reversal regarding our client's contractual right of first refusal for the sale or transfer of the assets of one of its existing dealers.
Unger v. St. Vrain Partners - Won a jury defense verdict for a limited liability company whose members claimed the distribution of funds made in 2001 violated the company's operating agreement.
Silverton Mountain v. Core Mountain Enterprises - Defended Silverton Mountain against claims brought by an adjacent landowner/competitor. The plaintiff sought damages and an injunction to shut down the ski area based on allegations of trespasses caused by WTO's client's avalanche control work. WTO won a defense verdict.
Eghtesad v. DaimlerChrysler (Cal. N.M.V.B. 2004) - Obtained dismissal from the New Motor Vehicle Board in a protest filed by a dealer to prevent WTO's client from allowing another dealer to relocate within protesting dealer's market area.
DaimlerChrysler v. Granger Motors (Iowa D.I.A. 2004) - Represented our client in an administrative proceeding, which showed modifications to how sales areas were defined were in accordance with the dealer agreement.
Lamarque Dodge v. Julian Graham Dodge, 887 So.2d 574 (La. Ct. App. 2004) - Granted summary judgment after a dealer claimed WTO's client leaked confidential information.
Obtained reversal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals of a trial court's refusal to send a contract dispute to arbitration. WTO successfully resolved the case on behalf of the client, a telecommunications company, after the Ninth Circuit ruling.
Grimes v. Mazda - Won a defense verdict in Kentucky for Ford Motor Co. in a rollover case involving a Mazda pickup truck.
Streeter Imports v. Mercedes-Benz, 105 P.3d 818 (Nev. 2001) - Won an appeal of a trial court decision by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles & Public Safety that a dealer's unauthorized acquisition and sale of a new make of vehicle, distributed by our client but not covered under the existing dealer agreement, constituted good cause to terminate the dealer.
Clutter Motors v. DaimlerChrysler (Cal. N.M.V.B. 2001) - Won dismissal of a dealer's attempt to block a chargeback following a sales incentive audit, arguing that the California New Motor Vehicle Board did not have the authority to issue injunctive relief to a dealer that protested the chargeback.
Chrysler v. Lee Janssen Motor (Neb. Ct. App. 2000) - Won affirmation on the appeal of a district court's decision to reverse the Motor Vehicle Licensing Board and allow Chrysler to terminate a dealer.
Colonial Dodge v. Chrysler (Cal. N.M.V.B. 1998) - Defended an appeal to the California New Motor Vehicle Board regarding a number of California vehicle dealers that protested the establishment of an additional dealer.
Men-Guer Chrysler-Plymouth v. Chrysler (6th Cir. 1994) - Won reversal from the Sixth Circuit of a trial court's ruling regarding the applicability of an Ohio automobile dealer act to an agreement involving our client, Chrysler.
Laser Tech v. BDO Seidman - Represented BDO Seidman in shareholder suit that claimed securities fraud and a negligent audit by the company's accountants. Persuaded the plaintiffs the audit process could not have uncovered the manipulation, and plaintiffs dismissed their claims.
Stearns v. Jetway - Won Fifth Circuit affirmation of the lower court's granting of summary judgment in a case alleging unfair monopolization against FMC Corporation and involving the company's aircraft boarding bridges.
Scott v. Conoco - Defended Conoco against personal injury claims relating to an accident at one of its refineries. The plaintiff prevailed in a seven-day jury trial, but the case was later reversed by the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Cornerstone v. BDO Seidman - Settled accounting malpractice litigation relating to the embezzlement of $10 million by a company's president.
Sonoco Products v. Newark Paper Products - Won an injunction for Newark Paper Products following a three-week trial asserting that Sonoco and its employee had misappropriated trade secrets from Newark.
Represented a leading telecommunications company in a dispute against a service provider.
Represent a development company in litigation brought by a municipality related to disputes spanning a decade.
Taken over 50 expert and fact depositions in asbestos cases nationwide.
Argued a motion to dismiss in Wyoming state court that drew praise from the court.
Argued a winning opposition to plaintiffs' motion to dismiss a counterclaim in Wyoming state court.
Led trial preparation efforts, under senior supervision, for a major industrial manufacturer facing hundreds of millions in damages as a result of a catastrophic accident. Drafted Daubert motions, developed expert witnesses, and prepared experts for depositions and trial. The case settled shortly before trial.
Represented a utility company in the retrial of a $1 billion dollar lawsuit brought by a consortium of dairy farmers alleging stray electricity from our client's facilities and transmission lines depressed herd production. The parties reached settlement on the eve of the retrial.
Phillips v. Ford (Ill. Cir. Ct. 2007) - Obtained decertification of a certified nationwide class action against Ford.
In re 2005 U.S. Grand Prix Litigation, 489 F.3d 316 (7th Cir. 2007) - Successfully defended before the Seventh Circuit a Rule 12 dismissal of all claims relating to a proposed nationwide class action arising out of the 2005 United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis.
St. Clair County and City of Centreville v. Ford (Ill. St. Clair Cnty. Cir. Ct. 2004) - Won a complete defense jury verdict for Ford in a six-week, certified class action trial in Illinois.
Assisted in the successful resolution of 21 arbitrations as part of WTO's Chrysler Group Franchise Arbitrations Team, including the drafting and assembly of multiple successful motions submitted prior to final hearings. These followed the bankruptcy of Chrysler Group in 2010.
Flying J v. Conoco - Defended Conoco in a series of arbitrations in which Flying J claimed that the ConocoPhillips merger triggered a provision in the Conoco-Flying J joint venture agreement that would have allowed Flying J to acquire Conoco's interest at book value, which was approximately $1 billion less than the market value of the interest. The arbitrator found in Conoco's favor, concluding that market value was the proper way to value Conoco's interest.

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