Calfee's Litigation team is "experienced, insightful, practical, efficient and client-oriented. When you pose a question, you can rest assured that they will respond promptly with cogent, clear and practical responses."
Chambers USA 2020
Overview
Calfee’s Business, Corporate and Commercial Litigation attorneys work with public and privately held enterprises on a diverse range of business needs. Our attorneys have extensive experience in financial litigation including banking, lender liability, and credit disputes. They counsel clients on issues and disputes arising out of the purchase or sale of a business, contracts, and the Uniform Commercial Code.
Our litigation attorneys have prosecuted and defended numerous trade secret actions and matters involving non-compete covenants. They also have defended claims of business defamation and disparagement, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation.
Noteworthy
Chambers USA, Band 3 Ranking in Litigation: General Commercial (Ohio)
For well over a decade, our Litigation group and individual litigation attorneys have been ranked and recognized by Chambers USA. In 2020, Chambers USA researchers noted that the team "frequently advises on plaintiff and defense-side commercial litigation matters, offering considerable strengths in securities, product liability, antitrust and construction disputes." They also offer experience in white-collar investigations and litigation, "defending a range of individuals and businesses facing regulatory enforcement actions." And they represent "clients in sectors including healthcare, financial services and manufacturing."
"One client praises the team as 'experienced, insightful, practical, efficient and client-oriented.' They continue, 'When you pose a question, you can rest assured that they will respond promptly with cogent, clear and practical responses.'"
"Another client praises the Litigation group for providing 'high-quality and cost-effective legal advice; the team has been crucial to our litigation defense, and we have been very happy with all of their efforts.'"
Chambers researchers noted that a commentator stated, "This is an excellent firm that does a great job for us. The team is cost-effective, practical and has strong expertise."
Calfee Vice Chairman and Litigation Partner, Mitchell G. Blair, has been ranked by Chambers USA 2020 in Band 2 for Litigation: General Commercial in Ohio. "Mitchell Blair has considerable experience in securities litigation and contract disputes and is also the firm's vice chairman. One impressed client says, 'Mitch is one of the most organized, detail-oriented, careful and thoughtful attorneys that I've ever had the pleasure of working with. In addition to these strengths, he is very experienced and knowledgeable with respect to securities litigation and is a true advocate for his clients.'"
Litigation practice Co-Chair, Christopher S. Williams, has been ranked by Chambers USA 2020 in Litigation: General Commercial, Band 4 in Ohio. "'Fantastic lawyer' Christopher Williams co-chairs the firm's litigation department and is well regarded for his expertise in commercial disputes as well as ERISA and healthcare litigation. According to a client, 'He is very practical, thorough and he shows good judgment.'"
Litigation Co-Chair, Maura L. Hughes, has been ranked by Chambers USA 2020 in Band 2 for Antitrust in Ohio. "the 'fantastic' Maura Hughes is a 'very accomplished litigator and counselor,' according to sources, who speak highly of her antitrust expertise. She regularly advises clients on compliance with state and federal antitrust laws and has notable experience in handling investigations into alleged price fixing and other anticompetitive behavior.'"
K. James Sullivan, Litigation Partner and Leader of the Insurance Coverage practice, has been ranked in Band 1 in Insurance by Chambers USA 2020. "James Sullivan is held in high esteem as 'one of the best policyholder lawyers' in Ohio. He is also praised for his 'sophisticated and diplomatic' approach to complex recovery claims, which sees him handle a wide range of coverage disputes. One source reports, 'He does an excellent job in analyzing situations and getting a good result. He is smart, well respected and capable in the courtroom.'"
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2021 "Best Law Firms" rankings by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in Commercial Litigation (National Tier 2, Metropolitan Tier 1 Cleveland, Metropolitan Tier 2 Cincinnati, Metropolitan Tier 2 Columbus)
Benchmark Litigation Rankings
Calfee has been selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation 2020 as a "Recommended" litigation firm in Ohio. Several of Calfee's Litigation attorneys have been ranked as Leading Litigators by Benchmark Litigation 2020.
Professionals
Professionals
Experience
Experience
- Obtained $3.8 million jury verdict against business broker for intentional interference with buyer’s prospective purchase of business.
- Defended a multi-million dollar claim against a distributor of medical products for alleged breaches of distribution agreement.
- Prosecuted and defended numerous trade secret actions and matters involving covenants not to compete.
- Defended numerous lender liability claims, including obtaining summary judgment dismissing lender liability claims against a foreclosing bank.
- Successfully defended against a $200 million action for breach of lease filed by major parking garage operator.
- Represented partners in dissolution action against charges of breach of agreement.
- Won fraud judgments against sellers of businesses.
- Defended against and resolved multi-million dollar claims against a medical equipment manufacturer for successor liability and fraudulent transfer in connection with the purchase of the assets and business of another medical product manufacturer.
- Frequently retained at the appellate level to seek reversal of unfavorable verdicts, including obtaining a reversal of a jury verdict against a utility for alleged violations of public utility laws.
- Represented Swedish textile manufacturer in jury trial in which the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods was applied to a dispute involving the sale of products to a national distributor.
- Obtained $9 million jury verdict for fraud in termination of a shopping center lease.
- Represented financial institutions in proceedings to obtain relief from the automatic stay to enforce claims against secured collateral.
Services
Services
- Protect trade secrets and confidential business information
- Enforce and contesting non-compete covenants
- Uniform Commercial Code issues
- Financial litigation, including banking, lender liability and credit disputes
- Tortious interference with business relations
- Contractual disputes
- Business sale or purchase disputes
- Partnership issues, disputes and dissolutions
- Business defamation, disparagement and unfair competition
- Fraud and negligent misrepresentation
- Adversary proceedings and appeals
- Claims litigation and appeals
- Bad faith and relief from stay motions
- Dischargeability litigation
- Preference litigation
- Proceedings to sell estate property
- Lien determination and priority proceedings
Client Feedback
Client Feedback
- "Calfee litigators resolve issues efficiently with the proper balance of appropriate strength and effective negotiation." – CALFEE CLIENT, AS REPORTED BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® IN THE 2021 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS REPORT
- "I've been very impressed with Calfee. They are always quite responsive and provide "business-ready" responses." – CALFEE CLIENT, AS REPORTED BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® IN THE 2021 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS REPORT
- "Calfee, Halter & Griswold provides excellent litigation services. They are well-equipped to handle complex issues involving financial matters." – CALFEE CLIENT, AS REPORTED BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® IN THE 2019 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS REPORT
- "Calfee, Halter & Griswold is my go-to law firm, in an emergency as well as for longer-term strategic planning. Jim Lang is a consummate professional, an excellent trial lawyer, and the state's best public utility regulatory lawyer. Their team always gets the job done quickly and efficiently and helps develop creative and effective strategies." – CALFEE CLIENT, AS REPORTED BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® IN THE 2019 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS REPORT
- "I have had the opportunity to work with various members of Calfee, Halter & Griswold's Litigation team over the last several years. Regardless of matter size/complexity, Calfee has staffed the matters appropriately and provided responsive, business-focused advice. They provide support in the pre-litigation resolution of matters effectively and efficiently." – CALFEE CLIENT, AS REPORTED BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® IN THE 2019 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS REPORT
- "Calfee, Halter & Griswold attorneys are extremely client focused. They are patient and engaged to make sure clients are fully heard, understand their options and are part of the strategy." – CALFEE CLIENT, AS REPORTED BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® IN THE 2019 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS REPORT
- "Calfee, Halter & Griswold has excellent lawyers who strive for practical solutions." – CALFEE CLIENT, AS REPORTED BY U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® IN THE 2019 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS REPORT
News & Events
News
Events
