Litigation
Complex Business & Commercial Litigation
Our Complex Business and Commercial Litigation attorneys provide objective, innovative strategies to resolve or aggressively defend any type of business dispute. Our multi-jurisdictional experience encompasses virtually every area of law, and we have successfully tried cases at the state, federal, and appellate levels, as well as before numerous governmental tribunals.
We partner with our clients to understand and address the business issues inherent in litigation.
For the seventh consecutive year (2013-2019), Roetzel business and commercial litigation attorneys received a National Tier ranking in Commercial Litigation, a premier distinction on the Best Law Firms list, published by U.S. News & World Report in conjunction with Best Lawyers.
We have the experience to defend litigation for organizations of all sizes - from international companies to entrepreneurs. We partner with our clients to understand and address the business issues inherent in litigation and the limits and advantages of courthouse resolutions. Our attorneys handle adversary proceedings for clients with an understanding that the primary objective is to win, while also minimizing the cost of litigation and interruption to business operations by early evaluation of the case.
Our attorneys are problem solvers who deliver litigation services with a thorough understanding of our clients' needs and objectives. When applicable, our attorneys design and implement alternative dispute resolution programs for clients in domestic and international matters. We also work cooperatively with our clients to develop proactive strategies which can often prevent litigation.
Our sophisticated trial teams use the latest technology to prepare for and litigate cases cost-effectively. In addition, we have a staff of in-house practice support professionals with extensive experience in trial presentations, transcript management, electronic discovery and case management.
Our Experience
- Represented a publicly traded micro-controller manufacturer in a $40 million breach of warranty claim
- Represented a sole proprietor to verdict in a case involving antitrust, monopoly and restraint of trade
- Obtained multi-million dollar jury verdict for gas marketing company in breach of contract case arising from the sale of natural gas under the Uniform Commercial Code
- Represented a technology company in obtaining an injunction against its largest competitor in the handheld computer industry for violation of the Lanham Act for false and misleading statements concerning the performance of its wireless computer products
- Represented a housing authority in a $10 million bidding contract dispute
- Represented Midwest-based retail store chain in UCC breach of warranty claim against a manufacturer in China who supplied defective and non-conforming goods
- Defended a $600 million toxic tort class action involving medical monitoring and personal injury claims
- Prosecuted breach of warranty and breach of contract counterclaim under the Uniform Commercial Code for retail company arising from delivery of non-conforming and defective goods
- Obtained a multimillion dollar arbitration award involving a breach of contract claim and copyright infringement related to software development and theft of trade secrets
- Acted as special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General defending a claim of abuse of discretion by the state on the award of an operating agreement for a rail line
- Obtained a jury verdict on behalf of a natural gas marketing company in a commercial dispute with an out-of-state supplier that terminated the client's natural gas supply
- Represented a Midwest-based manufacturing company and several executive officers in a national grand jury investigation of price fixing
- Defended a shipping company involving preference avoidance claims
- Defended nine companies that were sued in federal court on a shareholder derivative dispute
- Prevailed in the New Jersey Supreme Court on behalf of a tire manufacturer on a high profile issue involving the protection of trade secrets and confidential information produced during the litigation discovery process
- Defended securities class action involving a regional utilities retirement-invest program with allegations of fraud and misrepresentation
- Represented the nursing home and hotel industry in a 10(b)(5) securities fraud and common law fraud litigation
- Represented a distributor of kitchen products in a jury trial pertaining to antitrust (monopoly and restraint of trade) claims
- Represented several senior employees of a large financial institution being investigated for both criminal and civil violations of law in connection with the loss of tens of millions of dollars by Cuyahoga County, Ohio
- Represented a Fortune 500 company in a dispute with a Canadian company over the sale of the client's Dutch subsidiary and ownership of intellectual property rights related to acrylic latex technology
- Defended the constitutionality of Ohio's E-Check program
- Represented auto manufacturers and RV component suppliers with respect to lemon law, Consumer Sales practices Act, and breach of warranty claims
- Obtained a federal court injunction to prevent a township from depriving a developer of commercial zoning
- Defended a tire company against a subpoena from a competitor relating to competitive and confidential information
- Prosecuted a constitutional challenge to an Army Corps of Engineers interpretation to a budget bill rider that denied our client equal protection and due process
- Prosecuted a claim on account for a large petroleum company and a third party claim alleging fuel contamination of gasoline provided by another large petroleum company
- Managed litigation involving fraud and negligence in loan activity relating to a golf course resort project in the Midwest
- Represented a large hotel chain in a case involving a guest falling through a walkway which encircled the hotel's grand ballroom
- Represented a travel services company in matters including the filing of an underground storage tank insurance claim and trying indemnity arbitration
- Represented a rubber chemicals manufacturer in a four-week jury trial in state court against trade secret and non-compete claims by a competitor
- Defended a television manufacturer in both property damage and injury suits
- Represented a national hotel chain in litigation involving the construction of a large hotel and a dispute with the general contractor
- Defended a motorcycle manufacturer against alleged deceptive trade practices and breach of warranty regarding a sprocket on a motorcycle
- Represented a national newspaper chain, digital company, and subsidiaries in numerous cases involving libel, invasion of privacy, breach of contract, public records and open meetings issues, with numerous cases tried to jury verdict
- Obtained emergency relief for a media client on Election Day 2004 in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals against the Ohio Secretary of State, preventing enforcement of a directive banning the media from polling places
- Obtained mandamus relief for a media client in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals preventing federal district judge from enforcing a preliminary injunction to remove material from the Internet due to injunction constituting a prior restraint
What We Do
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Antitrust/trade regulation
- Bankruptcy/creditors' rights
- Business crimes and corporate investigations
- Class action defense
- Commercial litigation
- Construction
- Employment
- Environmental
- Fraud
- Insurance defense and coverage
- Intellectual property/trade secrets/patent, trademark and copyright litigation
- Internet and e-business
- Media and communications law
- Probate, trust and guardianship
- Product liability
- Real estate and land use
- Regulatory controversies
- Securities litigation
- Taxation
- Toxic tort
- Trade regulation
- Uniform Commercial Code