Representative Experience

• Defending mining exploration company and its board of directors in consolidated stockholder class action filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging breach of fiduciary duty and claims company failed to disclose sufficient information in proxy statement (In Re Paramount Gold and Silver Corp. Stockholders Litigation, Consolidated C.A. No. 10499-VCN).
• Defended acquiring companies against allegations of aiding and abetting fiduciary duty arising from financial services merger (Sutton v. CB Financial Services, Inc. in the Baltimore County Circuit Court (Maryland); Malon v. Franklin Financial Corporation, et al. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia)).
• Successfully defended a general partner of a partnership against claims for “tax damages” sustained by a partnership. The Supreme Court of Virginia reversed an adverse judgment awarded to the Plaintiffs at the trial court level. (See Little v. Cooke, 274 Va. 697 (2007))
• Successfully defended generic drug manufacturer in multiweek arbitration against claims brought by minority shareholders who sought approximately $42 million in damages for breaches of shareholders agreement relating to securities registration and claims involving product development issues
• Obtained favorable settlement in defense of company acquired by private equity fund and its directors against alleged insufficient disclosures, inadequate price and self-dealing
• Successfully represented a large, national coal company in multiple disputes with land owners over property rights.
• Successfully defended several natural gas producers based in Kentucky against claims brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, obtaining dismissal of Plaintiff’s claims based on a lack of personal jurisdiction in Virginia. (See Eservices, LLC v. Energy Purchasing, Inc., et al., 2011 WL 1044889 (E.D. Va. Mar. 15, 2011)).
• Successfully defended a prominent Washington, D.C. lawyer sued for defamation, obtaining a dismissal of Plaintiff’s claims upon the pleadings. (See Spencer v. American Intern. Group, Inc., 2009 WL 47111 (E.D. Va. Jan. 6, 2009)).
• Successfully defended a multi-day contract dispute before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, achieving a jury verdict saving the client in excess of $1 million from Plaintiff’s claims.
• Successfully represented an architect before the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, including representation before an administrative hearing.
• Successfully defended a two-week trust dispute before the Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach, substantially prevailing on the client’s behalf.
• Successfully tried multiple construction disputes, substantially prevailing on our clients’ behalf. (See, e.g., James River Iron, Inc. v. Turner Constr. Co., 2004 WL 3001151 (Richmond Cir. Ct. Sept. 30, 2004)).
• Successfully tried multiple insurance coverage disputes, substantially prevailing on our clients’ behalf.