Animal Health, Life Sciences and Agriculture

Obtained favorable settlements in two breach of contract/covenant- not- to- compete actions involving an animal health company.

Successfully litigated major Robinson-Patman Act antitrust case on behalf of cattle growth implant manufacturer (Walco International Inc. v. Ivy Animal Health Inc.).

Obtained a favorable settlement in a trade dress infringement case involving the shape and color of a nationally famous dog treat (S&M Nutec, LLC v. TFH Publications, Inc.)

Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of an agricultural seed coating company (USC v. Universal Coatings).

Obtained a favorable settlement in a trademark infringement case on behalf of a teleradiology company (Softek v. Nightrays).

Intellectual Property

Tried several numerous trademark and trade dress infringement cases, including several for financial services institutions. In one case that Joan first-chaired, Security Bank of Southwest Missouri v. Security Bank, she was retained to replace counsel after a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) was entered against the defendant. She succeeded in getting the TRO reversed and the request for a preliminary injunction denied. A favorable settlement subsequently was obtained for her client. She also was lead counsel in another financial services trademark infringement case, Leader Mortgage Company v. U.S. Bancorp, N.A, that resulted in a favorable settlement for U.S. Bank.

Manages the trademark portfolios and provides license and other agreement review for two seminar companies, including one of the world’s largest.

Represented the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Recording Industry Association of America in several copyright infringement matters.

First-chaired several trademark opposition matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Trial & Appeal Board.

Obtained successful settlement for defendant Internet marketer in trademark infringement action following preliminary injunction hearing (Chemidex v. Chemdex).

Other

First chaired a complex chemical exposure case on behalf of the primary distributor of the chemical and obtained a favorable settlement.

Lead counsel in the landmark electronic discovery case, Balboa Threadworks, Inc. v. Stucky, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. Successfully settled copyright and infringement claims using electronic evidence obtained from defendants’ computers.

Successfully enforced covenant not to compete agreements on behalf of one of the world’s largest seminar companies.

Litigated covenant not to compete case involving national greeting cards manufacturer (Hallmark Cards Inc. v. Callison).

Obtained favorable settlements in action brought against part suppliers seeking reimbursement of costs associated with litigation and a product recall due to the defective parts.

Litigated breach of contract and unauthorized biography case involving famous rock star (Huff v. Sammy Hagar).

Obtained entry of a summary judgment in a substantial business litigation matter on behalf of a local limited liability company against a nationally famous investment company (Lynch Multimedia, et al. v. Carson, et al.).