Counterclaims and Counterpunching to a Lawsuit – Speaking of Litigation Podcast
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Making Effective Use of the Claims/Disputes Process
Trade secret and contract claims often travel together. For example, a failed collaboration that involved the exchange of confidential information may result in the disclosing party alleging that the recipient both...more
The parent of an infant sued Kim Eichle for Eichle’s alleged negligence in serving alcohol to her houseguest, Jacob Russo, who allegedly assaulted the infant, and for negligence in failing to keep the sidewalk at her...more
A judge from the District of Colorado recently issued an opinion that might leave the door open for long-term care insurers to void policies after the contestability period expires if an insured commits fraud. See Meyer v....more
In Bank United, NA v. GC of Vineland, LLC, Karen and William Scism and GC Vineland, LLC (“GVC”) (collectively the “Scism Parties”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Golden...more
A recent decision reported by Law360 is a useful reminder of the power of a remedy peculiar to Connecticut courts, the prejudgment remedy (PJR). Connecticut Superior Court Judge Bellis granted a $5M PJR on Saturday, March 2,...more
A federal court in Illinois recently dismissed a former franchisee’s counterclaims for alleged fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract regarding the franchisor’s advertising fund, and breach of contract and implied...more
A recent decision by a federal district court affirmed the ability of defendants in False Claims Act actions brought by qui tam relators to assert counterclaims against relators. The court’s opinion highlights the opportunity...more
Recently, a Georgia federal district court permitted an employer’s counterclaims against its former employee-whistleblower to proceed in a False Claims Act (“FCA”) lawsuit after determining that the employer’s amended...more
When two companies negotiate a subcontract in support of a federal government prime contract ("federal subcontract"), they may include provisions capping their liability to each other at specific amounts. In structuring such...more
Conditions Precedent- In this appeal, the Eighth Appellate Court affirmed in part the trial court’s determination that Defendant breached its contract with Plaintiff disagreeing with Defendant-appellant that Plaintiff failed...more
On September 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas granted in part and denied in part UMB Bank’s motion to dismiss counterclaims for tortious interference, breach of contract, and breach of the duty of...more
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a federal district court’s ruling in a breach of contract action brought by Shenzen Synergy Digital, a China based manufacturer and exporter, against Mingtel, a Texas based...more
In a May 31, 2023, precedential decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit confirmed that under well-settled Pennsylvania law, claims of poor workmanship do not involve an “occurrence” required to...more
Another week, another fee-shifting case. This ones involves a 28-unit condo project in the Houston Heights neighborhood of Houston (see 2017 Yale Development, LLC v. Steadfast Funding, LLC, 2023 WL 3184028 (Tex. App. May 2,...more
In a late-March 2023 decision out of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, a court denied a plaintiff's request for attorneys' fees against a defendant who filed "objectively specious" counterclaims...more
Franchisee Cipercen, LLC operated several Meineke Car Care Centers. By 2017, Cipercen owed $550,000 in unpaid franchise fees to Meineke and decided to sell the franchises. Cipercen believed Meineke offered to waive the unpaid...more
The United States District Court of New Jersey recently granted default judgment to Defendant Slack Technologies (“Defendant”) for its breach of contract counterclaim against Plaintiff Gino D’Ottavio (“Plaintiff”), who...more
Smart Sand Inc. v. US Well Servs. LLC, C.A. No. N19C-01-144 PRW CCLD (Del. Super. June 11, 2021) - A liquidated damages provision is enforceable under Delaware law if: (1) damages are uncertain at the time of contracting;...more
On competing motions for a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) by ReBath – a nationwide bathroom remodeling franchisor, and its terminated franchisee, ReBath prevailed in restraining the ex-franchisee’s further operations. A...more
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) decided in Gap Inc. v. Ponte Gadea N.Y. LLC on March 8, 2021 that a retail tenant will not be able to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse...more
In Anderson v Total Instant Lawns Ltd, 2021 ONSC 2933 (Total Instant Lawns), an employee claimed her job was terminated and sought damages for wrongful dismissal. The employer denied the employee was dismissed and argued...more
Contract Interpretation McCruter v. Travelers Home & Marine Ins. Co., 11th Dist. Lake No. 2019-L-167, 2021-Ohio-472- In this appeal, the Eleventh Appellate District affirmed in part and reversed in part the lower court’s...more
Weik, Nitsche & Dougherty, LLC, v. Pratcher, C.A. No. 2018-0803-MTZ (Del. Ch. Aug. 26, 2020) - Following an employment dispute between former employers and employees of a Delaware limited liability company, the employers...more
In this matter, plaintiff Marisco Ltd. hired defendant GL Engineering & Construction (GL E&C) to construct and deliver a floating dry dock. Marisco alleged that GL E&C’s principals misrepresented their experience and ability...more
Liu v. Securities And Exchange Commission, Case No. 18–1501 (2020). Equitable relief, including disgorgement, is permissible under the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U. S. C. §77a et seq., so long as it does not exceed a...more