Connecticut Partner Steve Zakrzewski and Associate Shelby Dattilo won a seven-day trial on behalf of a global ground transportation company, defeating unfair trade practices claims and prevailing on counterclaims for tortious interference with contract and unfair trade practices.
The case stemmed from a series of joint venture and asset purchase agreements that GRSM’s client entered into with a limousine services corporation co-owned by the plaintiff. Under the joint venture agreements, GRSM's client agreed to service the corporation’s customers during the COVID-19 pandemic in exchange for a percentage of fees while the corporation’s operations were hampered by the pandemic, allowing the corporation to stay in business and pay down debt.
The plaintiff alleged that GRSM’s client committed unfair trade practices by entering into an alleged conspiracy to buy the corporation’s assets for a small percentage of their true market value, misappropriating all of the corporation’s business in the process. The plaintiff also sought to impose a constructive trust over the transferred assets.
GRSM’s client filed counterclaims for tortious interference with contract and unfair trade practices, alleging that the corporation’s co-owner stole clients to start a competing business while the corporation was still operating and bound by the parties’ joint venture agreements.
After a trial held over the course of three months, the court ruled in favor of GRSM’s client on all claims and counterclaims, awarding the full amount of its losses along with punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. The client was very pleased with the outcome and appreciated GRSM's dedicated effort in securing this victory.