Joanne L. Zimolzak

Business Litigation and Insurance

• Defeated class certification and subsequently obtained summary judgment ruling in purported RICO class action against insurer and its counsel (S.D. Mississippi)
• Obtained summary judgment ruling that major insurer had no duty to defend purported additional insured in a significant wrongful death action, thereby negating any possibility for claimant to recover defense expenses or pursue bad faith claims (Del. Super.)

• Negotiated successful settlements of insurer liability (avoiding bad faith exposure) in multiple matters across the country, from Maryland to Washington state.

• Obtained summary judgment for European client in action concerning breach of commercial contract, with judgment including full restitution and award of attorneys' fees (D.D.C.)
• Obtained dismissal of major agriculture product distributor from Texas products liability matters for lack of personal jurisdiction (S.D. Tex.)

• Negotiated successful settlement for Canadian manufacturer in commercial contract dispute (E.D. Va.)

Government Contracts/Investigations

• Assisted Ability One Program government contractors with administrative law challenge to agency's decision to elevate Small Business contracting preference over statutory contracting mandate, including by obtaining a stay pending appeal of the Court of Federal Claims' decision upholding agency action (appeal pending in the US Court of Federal Claims) and in a parallel US District Court (DC) action challenging agency rulemaking
• Assisted IT supplies/services government contractor in conducting internal investigation regarding alleged improper billing issues and responding to government subpoena concerning same, resulting in successful negotiated resolution
• Represented small business government contractor against criminal procurement fraud allegations relating to GSA supplies and services contract, resulting in successful negotiated resolution.
• Successful reverse-FOIA defense of multiple contractors seeking to prevent the release of confidential, proprietary/business-sensitive information from public release by DoD components, Treasury, and other executive agencies.

• Negotiated successful settlement in prime/subcontractor teaming dispute.