General Business Litigation

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended two Fortune 500 companies in business tort and breach of contract litigation arising out of a failed strategic alliance. After a federal court jury trial, the firm obtained a defense verdict on behalf of both its clients.

In connection with the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Byrnes Keller Cromwell represented seven prominent seafood processing companies that collectively processed over sixty percent of the affected fisheries. The firm recovered in excess of $100 million in favor of its clients.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell represented the owner of an NBA franchise in a lease dispute with the City of Seattle concerning the client’s efforts to relocate the team. After a highly publicized federal court trial, the firm’s client was able to relocate the franchise to another city. The firm also successfully defended the same client in litigation brought by the team’s prior owner.

 

Professional Liability Litigation

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a prominent Pacific Northwest law firm in a six week trial alleging legal malpractice in connection with the administration of a trust. The trial resulted in a defense verdict in favor of the firm’s client.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended one of the nation’s largest law firms against claims arising out of a sale of a technology company. After a two week jury trial, the legal malpractice claims were dismissed.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a nationally prominent law firm against allegations of legal malpractice in a case involving a start-up internet bank, in which the plaintiffs sought over $300 million in damages. Following an eight week trial, the jury returned a unanimous defense verdict in favor of Byrnes Keller Cromwell’s client.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a nationally prominent law firm against a $100 million legal malpractice claim arising out of a initial public offering and subsequent litigation related to that offering. All claims were dismissed.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell has represented a number of other firms in professional liability matters in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada and Utah, arising from diverse practice areas, including securities offerings, real estate and business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and trial practice.

 

Securities/RICO Litigation

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended an attorney in a federal securities fraud and RICO case arising out of multiple investment syndications. A 3½ month federal court jury trial resulted in no recovery against the firm’s client.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a prominent law firm sued for securities fraud based on its work in a securities offering. After all other defendants settled, the firm obtained a defense jury verdict in favor of its client in a federal court trial.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a publicly traded mining company in a federal securities fraud and RICO case brought by several investors seeking to recover in excess of $20 million. After the case was dismissed on the pleadings at the trial court level, the plaintiffs abandoned their claims in return for no monetary consideration.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell obtained defense verdicts in two separate securities fraud cases brought against a major life insurer by its policyholder and against a major brokerage firm by the same plaintiff.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell has represented investors in NASD arbitration proceedings, all of which resulted in either favorable awards or settlements.

 

Consumer Protection Act and Antitrust Litigation

Byrnes Keller Cromwell was trial counsel for a major tobacco company in a consumer protection and antitrust case brought by the State of Washington. The case is believed to have been the largest civil damages case ever tried in the State of Washington. After ten weeks of trial, because of a nationwide settlement, the trial was terminated.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell represented an independent natural gas seller in a federal monopolization case against a Pacific Northwest regulated utility. After a favorable outcome in a Ninth Circuit appeal, the firm’s client received a multi million dollar settlement.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell was lead defense counsel in a consumer class action brought against several pharmaceutical manufacturers. Based on “indirect purchaser” issues under state antitrust and consumer protection laws, all claims against the firm’s clients were dismissed. The dismissal was affirmed on appeal.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a nationwide athletic association in an antitrust class action brought by student athletes. The firm obtained a dismissal of all claims against its client.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell has represented clients in federal and state criminal and civil proceedings involving antitrust investigations in agricultural commodities, and the construction, soft drink beverage and seafood industries.

Product Liability Litigation

Byrnes Keller Cromwell was retained shortly before trial as trial counsel in a product liability case brought by over twenty plaintiffs claiming cognitive deficits and respiratory ailments from alleged toxic exposures on aircraft. After an eleven week nationally publicized jury trial, a defense verdict was obtained in favor of the firm’s Fortune 100 client.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a Fortune 100 medical device manufacturer in a product liability claim. The nationally publicized case included a nine-week jury trial.

Intellectual Property & Patent Litigation

Byrnes Keller Cromwell represented a Fortune 100 consumer products company in multiple patent disputes, including a federal district court trial and multiple arbitration proceedings.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell obtained a judicial declaration that several complex technology patents were unenforceable as a result of inequitable conduct by the inventor before the Patent Office.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell has represented clients in high stakes trade secret litigation in the computer and biopharma industries. Byrnes Keller Cromwell has represented a number of other companies in patent disputes regarding various products and technologies.

Civil Rights Class Action Litigation

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended a Pacific Northwest multi-family housing developer in class action litigation claiming violations of housing discrimination laws. After a jury trial, the firm obtained a defense verdict in favor of its client.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell defended several national banks in a civil rights action brought by investors in a minority owned bank. The firm obtained dismissal of all claims against its clients.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell brought a civil rights class action on behalf of incarcerated persons exposed to radiation as part of a cold war government sponsored experiment in Eastern Washington. The firm obtained a multi million dollar settlement on behalf of the class.

Other Litigation

In a civil damages trial, Byrnes Keller Cromwell represented a number of professional football players accused of sexual assault. In a civil damages trial, the firm obtained a defense jury verdict in favor of its clients.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell has been retained on multiple occasions by a Washington state agency responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by Washington judges. The proceedings it has handled have resulted in judges being removed, censured and reprimanded.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell has tried numerous eminent domain cases representing both landowners and condemning bodies.

Byrnes Keller Cromwell coordinated and helped lead consolidated wrongful death litigation against a cruise line arising from passenger deaths on a shore excursion in Mexico. The case resulted in substantial settlements in favor of all plaintiffs.
 

*Results in any particular case cannot predict the outcome in any other case.