Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, successfully defended Cell Consumer Electronics Logistics, SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celistics Holdings, SA, a mobile phone distributor in Latin America, in a foreign summary judgment order.
A lawsuit arose from a proposed joint venture between Cell Consumer Electronics Logistics and various partners to provide cell phone distribution services to Telefonica Internacional, S.A., a global telecommunications company based in Spain. The plaintiff raised only a portion of the required €70 million (EUR) for buy-in into the joint venture, and proceeded to sue Cell Consumer Electronics Logistics for ownership interest, seeking $35 million in damages.
The case was originally litigated in Spain, where judgment was entered in favor of Cell Consumer Electronics Logistics. The case was brought up again in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in South Florida, where the court enforced Spain’s foreign judgment and held that all the new claims were barred under Florida law.
The Akerman team gained summary judgment on res judicata and Florida law, effectively ending a nearly 10-year case.
The case was led by International Litigation and Arbitration Partner Francisco Rodriguez, with additional assistance from Partner Sandra Millor and Associate Andrew Dominguez, all based in Miami.
The summary judgment order marks the fifth victory for the International Litigation and Arbitration Practice in two months involving foreign jurisdictions. Since November, the team has secured victories on behalf of Gazeus Games Serviços de Internet S.A., Corporacion Nacional de Telecomunicaciones EP, and the Republic of Ecuador.
About Akerman
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. Akerman is known for its results in middle market M&A and complex disputes, and for helping clients achieve their most important business objectives in the financial services, real estate and other dynamic sectors across the United States and Latin America.
Akerman’s International team excels at helping clients cope with the unpredictable. By analyzing changing political and legal conditions in real time, we aid our clients in making better-informed decisions. Our team guides multinational corporations seeking to establish and expand their U.S. presence, as well as U.S. market leaders and disruptors entering new markets outside the U.S. In addition, our dedicated international litigation and arbitration lawyers are aggressive advocates with an outstanding record of accomplishment in resolving complex international disputes in the U.S. and in multiple foreign jurisdictions.