Won a second unanimous jury verdict for a leading auto-parts manufacturer in an 11-year-old breach of contract dispute in federal court in Kentucky.

In the second trial arising out of a commercial dispute, WTO attorneys won a unanimous jury verdict for a leading auto parts manufacturer in federal court in Kentucky. 

At issue was an eleven-year-old claim alleging that WTO’s client’s termination of a contract entitled the plaintiff to millions in damages and penalty payments. In the first trial, WTO won a complete defense verdict despite joining the case just six months prior and facing various challenges, including a medical emergency on the WTO trial team. However, following the trial, the Sixth Circuit reversed and remanded the decision, citing a burden-shifting jury instruction the plaintiff had submitted the day before closing arguments. 

As a result of the verdict reversal, the trial court placed the burden of proof on WTO’s client for the second trial. Additionally, two key witnesses were not present at the second trial, which required their depositions to be read to the jury. Despite these obstacles, WTO obtained a unanimous verdict from the 10-member jury.