Experience
$1.8 Billion Missouri Chapter 100 Financing for Aerospace Client
Represented an aerospace client in a $1.8 billion Missouri Chapter 100 financing to fund the construction of approximately 1 million square feet of assembly, hangar and operations space. The project, which is expected to create 500 new jobs, had tremendous support from the community with approximately 160 corporate leaders, small business owners, educational institutions and nonprofit groups voicing their support.
Defeated Putative Class Action Against Streaming Media Clients
Represented streaming media companies in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in a lawsuit brought by an Illinois city claiming video streaming companies owed fees pursuant to an Illinois statute. The Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s dismissal of the matter.
Conducted Privacy Assessment and Advanced Compliance Efforts for Animal Health and Nutrition Clients
Advised multiple clients in the animal health and nutrition space in developing and updating privacy programs to address compliance with the ever-changing regulatory landscape – from state-specific to international cross-border requirements. Conducted reviews and assessments, and drafted and implemented policies and procedures tailored to industry-specific and client needs.
Data Privacy, Antitrust and HIPAA Breach
Investigated and resolved matters involving violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protected health information data breaches, and Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reporting and investigations, including the inadvertent misdirection of more than 1,500 patients’ protected health information and the intentional disclosure by an employee of protected health information.
TRO Secured for Financial Client
Obtained a temporary restraining order for a wealth management firm against a former employee regarding the violation of a nonsolicitation agreement. The employee, who had provided services to approximately 300 households representing about $50 million in assets, had signed a confidentiality and nonsolicitation agreement stating he would not directly or indirectly do business with or attempt to take away any of his employer’s clients.
Acquisition of Franchise Restaurants
Represented a private investment firm in its acquisition of franchise restaurant outlets across multiple states. Handled the acquisition agreement and other operative documents, due diligence, franchise documentation and licensing.
Resolved Multinational Shareholder Dispute
Resolved a high-stakes dispute among the owners of a multinational group of companies that design, manufacture and distribute industrial equipment. The dispute involved the exercise of multiple, conflicting cross purchase provisions within governing corporate documentation as well as disputes over ownership of intellectual property and customer/vendor relationships.
Successfully Defended Packaging Company in Breach of Contract Case Following Acquisition
Successfully defended a packaging company against the alleged breach of a supply agreement entered into following the acquisition of a plastics manufacturing business from the plaintiff. Following the sale, the plaintiff continued to sell a specialty product, which would be manufactured by our client, and sought return of certain equipment used for its production. The suit was filed in state court in North Carolina, removed to federal court in North Carolina, then further transferred to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Our client filed counterclaims and third-party claims for fraud in connection with the supply agreement. Our client filed a separate action for fraud in connection with the sale of the plastics manufacturing business against the plaintiff and its principals in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. All claims were resolved after mediation for a nominal payment and non-monetary terms.
Successfully Defended Pet Food Brand in Misappropriation of Trade Secrets Case
Successfully defended a pet food company against misappropriation of trade secrets claims. Two of the plaintiff’s employees were terminated by the plaintiff and went on to work for a competitor after developing a new type of packaging to supply to our client. At the same time, the competitor was in the process of developing replacement packaging to supply to our client. Our client moved its business to the competitor and the plaintiff filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri against our client, the two former employees and the competitor. Armstrong Teasdale defended the lawsuit by, among other things, challenging the plaintiff’s characterization of the allegedly misappropriated information as trade secrets. At mediation, the plaintiff agreed to settlement by dropping its claims and requesting a nominal payment from our client pursuant to a raw materials agreement for materials not used by the plaintiff before the relationship was terminated.
$35 Million Sale of Industrial Site
Represented the seller in the complex sale of a 1,300-acre industrial property for $35 million. The firm also represented the client in its purchase of the site three years earlier, which included handling several lawsuits inherited in the purchase.
Defense against Computer Tampering Claims
Defended client against alleged violation of computer tampering statute, and coordinated interaction with investigative agency and prosecutor's office. As a result, all charges against the client were dropped.
Dismissal of $1 Billion Class Action Claim
Successfully defended the operator of a commercial website against a putative class action involving alleged interception of an online customer's personal information, including credit card information, and disclosure of that information to third parties without the customer's consent. The plaintiff argued that this information, which was stored in a browser file before being sent to the website, was not yet a communication to website and that the interception and transmission of that information via JavaScript commands was illegal under the Wiretap Act. The court agreed with the website operator's arguments and dismissed the action. Plaintiff's counsel was seeking over $1 billion in damages, making this a significant victory.
Resolution in Corporate Control Dispute Involving LLC
Successfully compelled defendant to resolve a corporate control dispute concerning a limited liability corporation (LLC). We filed suit on behalf of our client to invalidate a sweetheart lease and undo other self-dealing transactions by the manager of the LLC, as well as dissolve the LLC. Following a year of litigation, the manager purchased the client's interest in the LLC on very good terms for the client.
Successful Defense of Client in Trade Secret Claim
Successfully defended a construction industry client in a trade secret claim wherein the Federal Court in Washington transferred the case on a venue motion to a Federal Court in California. The parties settled the case soon after transfer.
Successfully Defended Business Executive in $33 Million Fraud Action
Successfully defended a business executive in a fraud action seeking more than $33 million. This was an important and hard-fought dispute in which the executive's ex-spouse sued the executive and two of the ex-spouse's former lawyers for allegedly defrauding the ex-spouse out of significant assets. After obtaining key admissions during deposition, moved for summary judgment. The Court agreed with all arguments and issued an order granting summary judgment on the entirety of the ex-spouse's claims.
Summary Judgment for Services Contractor in Breach of Contract Case
Obtained summary judgment for services contractor in a significant breach of contract case. The resolution allowed the client to negotiate a favorable resolution with its business counterpart.
Won Preliminary Injunction for Wine and Spirits Industry Supplier in Trade Secret, Noncompete Case
Won a preliminary injunction following a three-day federal bench trial for a large supplier of materials used in wine and spirits industry. Protected trade secrets and enforced noncompete, and recovered fees for client.
Defense of Officers, Directors in Securities Investigations
Participated in the defense of former officers and directors of publicly held government support manufacturer in securities investigations by federal and state authorities.
Won TRO in Federal Court for Aviation Business
Won a temporary restraining order (TRO) in federal court on behalf of an aviation business in a trade secret case against a former high-level executive.
