Akerman is proud to announce that it successfully represented a Fortune 200 manufacturer in a civil jury trial this month, obtaining a $30 million unanimous verdict for our client. Akerman also resoundingly defeated the defendants' counterclaims, which sought millions of dollars in damages. The Akerman team was led by Litigation Partner Donnie King and included Litigation Partners Michael Marsh and Eric Coleman, Litigation Associates Reginald Janvier and Mario Marin, Paralegal Sharon LueSang, Legal Administrative Assistants Tyresa Thompson and Lauren Chang-Williams, and Litigation Associate Sarah Sears at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP, who served as local counsel.
"We are extremely pleased with this outcome for our client. Trials like this, that ask a jury to analyze and process complex topics like engineering on top of already complicated contract law, take a great team to win," King said. "Our team is filled with many years of courtroom experience and individuals who are excellent at making a complex case simple. I am fortunate and grateful to practice alongside them."
Akerman’s client, a leading manufacturer of power management technologies, filed suit against the defendants alleging they breached their contract by delivering defective clutch levers. This component is used primarily in heavy-duty clutches installed in 18-wheel semi-trucks. The defective part resulted in premature clutch failures all over the world, which our client dutifully replaced. These failures required Akerman’s client to institute a wide-scale field campaign to repair over 25,000 trucks and apply software updates to over 79,000 trucks around the world.
At trial, the defendants argued the clutch failures were caused by the manufacturer’s vague print specifications and defective design. To combat their claims, the Akerman team utilized highly detailed and advanced visual presentations of the lever, bringing the physical evidence to life for the jury, who ultimately rejected the defendants' arguments.
The two-week trial was held in the Northern District of Ohio with the Honorable Bridget Brennan presiding.
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Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward-thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth.