Consumer Protection Act and Antitrust Litigation
Byrnes & Keller 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 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 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 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 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.
Securities/RICO Litigation
Byrnes & Keller defended 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 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 has represented investors in NASD arbitration proceedings, all of which resulted in either favorable awards or settlements.
Professional Liability Litigation
Byrnes & Keller 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 represented one of the nation’s largest law firms in a complex seventy party case in federal court arising out of a failed power co-generation plant. The firm achieved a settlement at a fraction of the amount originally sought from its client.
Byrnes & Keller defended a nationally prominent 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 the firm's client.
Byrnes & Keller 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.
Product Liability Litigation
Byrnes & Keller was retained shortly before trial as trial counsel in a product liability case brought by multiple 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 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 represented a Fortune 100 consumer products company in multiple patent disputes, including a federal district court trial and multiple arbitration proceedings.
Byrnes & Keller 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 has represented clients in high stakes trade secret litigation in the computer and biopharma industries. Byrnes & Keller has represented a number of other companies in patent disputes regarding various products and technologies.
Civil Rights Class Action Litigation
Byrnes & Keller 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 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 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 Business Litigation
Byrnes & Keller 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 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 represents liability insurance carriers that have been sued for bad faith failure to settle.
Other Litigation
In a civil damages trial, Byrnes and Keller represented a number of professional football players accused of sexual assault. The firm obtained a defense jury verdict in favor of its clients.
Byrnes & Keller 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 has tried numerous eminent domain cases representing both landowners and condemning bodies.
Byrnes & Keller led 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.