Contacts
- Thomas Sanders Leader210-554-5420
Professionals
- Alleman, Thomas
- Amin, Anum
- Arger, Harry
- Ashmore, Alison
- Baucus, Laura
- Bernard, Michael
- Black, John
- Blalock, Michael
- Brown, Lisa
- Brunty, Christina
- Burkett, Natasha
- Carey, Michael
- Carruthers, Alison
- Carter II, Charles
- Case, James
- Cassar, Matthew
- Chang, Jong-Ju
- Chertok, Benjamin
- Chico, Melanie
- Chilson, Jennifer
- Chotvacs, Charles
- Colao, Brian
- Connor, Kevin
- Cooney, Michael
- Cornwell, Sarah
- Cossé, Clay
- Cox, Jeffrey
- Duffy IV, A. Joseph
- Edwards, Ian
- Ellis, Robert
- Estey, Stephen
- Eubanks, Monique
- Farrell, Sherrie
- Feld, Jonathan
- Figueroa, Neyma
- Finkelstein, William
- Fresard, Fred
- Fry, Melanie
- Gale, Todd
- Gnanadesigan, Abirami ("Abi")
- Goldsmith, Bruce
- Grace, Peter
- Graham, David
- Halberg, Caleb
- Hanifin, Sean
- Hazimi, Sarah
- Hill, Gavin
- Hoard, Zachary
- Hudgins, Rebekah
- Humphrey, Kathryn
- Huron, Jeffrey
- Hyatt, Robert
- Judge, Thomas
- Kaluza, Kristina
- Kinder, C. David
- Klein, Michael
- Kolozsvary, Andrew
- Kratovil, Christopher
- LeMoine, Charles
- Lonnie, Dommond
- Loss, Lewis
- Magyar, Mark
- Marquis, Amelia
- McCarthy, Timothy
- McIntyre, Maria
- Moore, Brian
- Mosqueda De La Garza, Priscila
- Motley, Cinthia
- Mroczkowski, Steven
- Munaco, Theresa
- Murphy, William
- Nystrom, Paul
- Olson, Brent
- Owens, Kyle
- Pressman, Scott
- Ramin, Nasseem
- Ray, Daniel
- Rhiew, Margaret (Peggy)
- Rhoades, John
- Riley, Cliff
- Ross, Jason
- Rubio, José
- Rucker, Bryce
- Schehr, Thomas
- Schouest, Brett
- Scott, Christyn
- Scott, Leia
- Silverman, Mark
- Smith, Prescott
- Sokatch, John
- Stephani, Michael
- Sullivan, Ryan
- Tatoiu, Anda
- Thompson, Molly
- Toby, Sheryl
- Tomko, Edwin
- Twiss, Alexandria
- VanEgmond, Andrew
- Webster, Cory
- Weil, Edward
- Welch, Katie
- Woods, R. Craig
- Worsinger, Laura
- Zimolzak, Joanne
- Zollner, Daniel
Related Practices
Related Industries
Overview
Dykema’s nationwide team of litigators has successfully represented clients in virtually every type of civil dispute—from antitrust to zoning—for decades. From straightforward two-party cases to complex multi-district litigation, “bet-the-company” cases and class action lawsuits—Dykema’s Business and Commercial Litigation attorneys are the go-to trial lawyers for companies across the nation. We represent clients big and small, public and private, before administrative tribunals, alternative dispute forums, and state and federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. And, when our clients have litigation exposure throughout the United States, they call on our team to serve as national counsel.
Dykema lawyers are mindful that litigation consumes client time and impacts the bottom line. We keep costs predictable and manageable and our work efficient. We explore with clients the benefits and risks of cost-effective strategies, such as streamlining discovery, utilizing aggressive pretrial motions, engaging in binding or non-binding alternative dispute resolution, and using creative alternative fee arrangements. When needed, we employ our sophisticated in-house discovery management team to handle document review and e-discovery, which can greatly reduce costs and ensure timely compliance in this critical phase of litigation. We also counsel clients on ways to prevent future liability and avoid litigation.
We are a leading litigation firm with a “thriving commercial litigation team” that “possesses an excellent track record,” as recognized by Chambers USA 2020. The Firm received a top national ranking in Commercial Litigation by 2021 U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms." Additionally, Dykema recently ranked as one of the top three firms nationwide in Complex Commercial Litigation and named a "Litigation Powerhouse" in the BTI Litigation Outlook 2020 report, based on direct client feedback from in-depth interviews with corporate counsel at the world’s largest companies.
Experience Matters
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Dykema obtained a defense verdict for Ford Motor Company in the retrial of a class action brought by 3,200 Ford dealers. The litigation had 20 years of history with more than 100 depositions, several appellate decisions and over a million documents. The Dykema team was brought in eight months before the retrial in Cleveland, Ohio. The case was originally tried by other counsel and resulted in a class-wide verdict of nearly $2.2 billion with interest.
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We defended a bank client in a suit against a real estate developer who sought over $15 million in damages based on claims that the bank breached a lease and an agreement to provide construction financing and acted in bad faith. We prevailed on a motion to dismiss at the trial court level. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court, in turn, affirmed that dismissal just 24 hours after oral argument.
- Dykema represented an insurance company client on an issue of first impression in a dispute over coverage for nationwide asbestos litigation spanning several policy years. We obtained a ruling that the client had no duty to defend based on the policy exclusion, and subsequently settled the much less substantial contribution claim.
- We successfully defended a $222 million arbitration claim against our energy client brought through the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris and heard in Hong Kong.
- We obtained dismissal of consolidated shareholder class actions challenging a going-private transaction brought against the committee of independent directors of a publicly held pharmaceutical company.
- We prevailed on a summary judgment motion in favor of our clients, a television station and its former executives, in a $300 million breach of contract and fraud action and then successfully defended that judgment on appeal.
- We obtained a $20 million jury award for our company client after a seven week trial against a Fortune 500 company for breach of a contract to acquire our client.
- We conducted a complex trial in four phases—including interlocutory appeals—of disputes over easements burdening our client’s property in connection with the design, development and construction of a high-rise retail/office/residential tower.
- We successfully represented a major manufacturer of harsh environment fiber optic connectors in four cases—one in a Texas state court, one in federal court and two in commercial arbitration proceedings—against five former officers, directors and shareholders of the company. We obtained: 1) a jury verdict for violations of the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act; 2) two arbitration awards for breaches of representation and warranties contained in a Stock Purchase Agreement; 3) a preliminary injunction prohibiting infringement of the client's patented technology; and (4) dismissal of counterclaims against our client for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, unfair competition and patent invalidity.
- We successfully defended a major seller and manufacturer of wireless communication equipment in a commercial arbitration proceeding in Orlando, Florida against multi-million dollar claims by the client's former strategic partner for the breach of a joint venture agreement and fraud.
- We represented a group of approximately 85 orthodontists in multi-state litigation involving 35 lawsuits brought in federal and state courts in 13 states against a practice management company. The cases involved claims for breach of contract, violations of various state dental practices acts, fraud and deceptive trade practices. We obtained favorable jury verdicts for breach of contract after a four week trial in Miami, Florida and a three week trial in Atlanta, Georgia, and several favorable summary judgment rulings on an issue of first impression–where courts held the clients’ contracts were unenforceable and void against public policy.
- We successfully defended a major municipality and its water department against claims brought by a disappointed bidder for breach of contract, defamation and tortious inference among other claims. We prevailed on summary judgment and then successfully defended that judgment on appeal to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
News
- January 15, 2021
- December 29, 2020
- December 21, 2020
- December 4, 2020
- November 16, 2020
- October 28, 2020
- Dommond Lonnie and Michael Wippler Nominated for Los Angeles Business Journal “Leaders in Law” AwardOctober 27, 2020
- October 19, 2020
- October 15, 2020
- August 18, 2020
- July 29, 2020
- July 28, 2020
- July 20, 2020
- July 14, 2020
- July 13, 2020
- July 8, 2020
- July 1, 2020
- June 30, 2020
- June 29, 2020
- June 25, 2020
- May 21, 2020
- May 13, 2020
- April 26, 2020
- April 6, 2020
- March 4, 2020
- February 28, 2020
- February 26, 2020
- February 19, 2020
- February 7, 2020
- January 21, 2020
- January 9, 2020
- December 30, 2019
- October 2, 2019
- September 17, 2019
- September 17, 2019
- September 4, 2019
- August 23, 2019
- August 21, 2019
- Thomas Sanders and Deborah Williamson Named 2019 Outstanding Lawyers by San Antonio Business JournalAugust 12, 2019
- August 1, 2019
- June 28, 2019
- May 28, 2019
- May 16, 2019
- May 8, 2019
- May 3, 2019
- April 30, 2019
- April 18, 2019
- March 13, 2019
- February 22, 2019
- February 20, 2019
- February 6, 2019
- February 2, 2019
- January 10, 2019
- January 1, 2019
- December 21, 2018
- December 14, 2018
- November 23, 2018
- November 9, 2018
- November 8, 2018
- October 16, 2018
- September 24, 2018
- September 19, 2018
- September 6, 2018
- July 26, 2018
- July 12, 2018
- May 24, 2018
- April 24, 2018
- March 15, 2018
- March 2018
- February 15, 2018
- February 5, 2018
- December 21, 2017
- December 13, 2017
- November 14, 2017
- November 8, 2017
- September 25, 2017
- September 12, 2017
- August 29, 2017
- July 12, 2017
- 2017
- Brian Melendez Quoted in BloombergBNA Banking Report about Consumer Financial Protection Bureau CaseMarch 27, 2017
- February 13, 2017
- February 3, 2017
- February 2, 2017
- November 30, 2016
- October 20, 2016
- October 12, 2016
- October 3, 2016
- September 26, 2016
- August 2016
- August 1, 2016
- July 5, 2016
- April 1, 2016
- March 17, 2016
- September 16, 2015
- September 15, 2015
- July 17, 2015
- July 17, 2015
- April 16, 2015
- April 6, 2015
- March 27, 2015
- March 4, 2015
- January 29, 2015
- January 5, 2015
- December 15, 2014
- December 2, 2014
- December 1, 2014
- October 22, 2014
- October 3, 2014
- August 22, 2014
- August 22, 2014
- August 21, 2014
- August 21, 2014
- August 19, 2014
- July 10, 2014
- July 7, 2014
- July 2, 2014
- July 2, 2014
- July 1, 2014
- June 13, 2014
- June 12, 2014
- May 29, 2014
- May 23, 2014
- May 16, 2014
- May 14, 2014
- May 7, 2014
- May 1, 2014
- April 28, 2014
- April 14, 2014
- March 28, 2014
- March 17, 2014
- March 17, 2014
- March 10, 2014
- February 25, 2014
- January 31, 2014
- January 28, 2014
- January 2, 2014
- Chris Kratovil Quoted in Texas Lawyer Article on Upcoming Presidential Appointments to Fifth CircuitDecember 17, 2013
- December 5, 2013
- December 4, 2013
- November 21, 2013
- November 8, 2013
- November 7, 2013
- October 15, 2013
- October 14, 2013
- September 27, 2013
- September 26, 2013
- August 2, 2013
- July 10, 2013
- June 25, 2013
- June 24, 2013
- June 4, 2013
- April 2, 2013
- March 28, 2013
- November 7, 2012
- November 6, 2012
- June 13, 2012
Press Releases
- February 24, 2021
- January 29, 2021
- January 21, 2021
- January 6, 2021
- November 5, 2020
- October 22, 2020
- October 19, 2020
- October 9, 2020
- September 18, 2020
- August 20, 2020
- June 9, 2020
- April 23, 2020
- April 16, 2020
- March 6, 2020
- February 18, 2020
- February 18, 2020
- January 31, 2020
- January 29, 2020
- January 27, 2020
- January 15, 2020
- January 7, 2020
- November 25, 2019
- November 8, 2019
- November 1, 2019
- October 30, 2019
- October 29, 2019
- October 24, 2019
- October 21, 2019
- October 8, 2019
- September 26, 2019
- September 24, 2019
- September 3, 2019
- September 3, 2019
- August 22, 2019
- August 15, 2019
- August 6, 2019
- July 9, 2019
- June 28, 2019
- June 17, 2019
- June 12, 2019
- June 3, 2019
- May 29, 2019
- March 7, 2019
- February 22, 2019
- February 4, 2019
- February 1, 2019
- January 30, 2019
- January 28, 2019
- January 24, 2019
- January 10, 2019
- January 8, 2019
- December 6, 2018
- December 4, 2018
- November 19, 2018
- November 1, 2018
- October 30, 2018
- September 27, 2018
- September 17, 2018
- September 7, 2018
- September 6, 2018
- August 15, 2018
- July 24, 2018
- July 5, 2018
- July 2, 2018
- June 7, 2018
- May 30, 2018
- May 3, 2018
- March 12, 2018
- February 13, 2018
- February 7, 2018
- February 5, 2018
- January 30, 2018
- January 25, 2018
- January 23, 2018
- January 11, 2018
- January 9, 2018
- January 2, 2018
- December 11, 2017
- November 9, 2017
- November 1, 2017
- October 26, 2017
- October 2, 2017
- September 18, 2017
- September 5, 2017
- August 28, 2017
- August 15, 2017
- July 26, 2017
- July 5, 2017
- June 22, 2017
- June 15, 2017
- June 12, 2017
- June 5, 2017
- May 26, 2017
- May 1, 2017
- March 8, 2017
- March 2, 2017
- January 20, 2017
- January 17, 2017
- January 13, 2017
- January 10, 2017
- November 1, 2016
- October 18, 2016
- October 6, 2016
- September 6, 2016
- September 1, 2016
- August 15, 2016
- July 27, 2016
- July 5, 2016
- June 20, 2016
- June 9, 2016
- June 6, 2016
- May 27, 2016
- May 12, 2016
- March 7, 2016
- February 2, 2016
- January 27, 2016
- January 25, 2016
- January 11, 2016
- November 2, 2015
- October 22, 2015
- September 8, 2015
- September 8, 2015
- August 18, 2015
- July 7, 2015
- June 5, 2015
- May 28, 2015
- April 6, 2015
- January 21, 2015
- January 13, 2015
- November 20, 2014
- November 3, 2014
- July 23, 2014
- July 15, 2014
- May 22, 2014
- May 7, 2014
- April 15, 2014
- February 5, 2014
- January 14, 2014
- January 8, 2014
- August 1, 2013
- July 9, 2013
- June 7, 2013
- June 6, 2013
- October 29, 2012
- May 21, 2012
- November 22, 2011
- October 27, 2011
- October 24, 2011
- August 31, 2011
- August 25, 2011
- August 17, 2011
- July 18, 2011
- July 14, 2011
- July 6, 2011
- June 20, 2011
- May 16, 2011
- March 28, 2011
- February 16, 2011
- January 24, 2011
- January 10, 2011
- January 5, 2011
Publications
- Daily JournalDecember 28, 2020
- PropertyCasualty360December 15, 2020
- American College of Coverage Counsel NewsletterOctober 2020
- Security ToolboxSeptember 15, 2020
- Law360August 28, 2020
- REJournalsAugust 27, 2020https://rejournals.com/responding-to-retail-tenant-payment-defaults-a-guide-for-illinois-landlords/
- Risk ManagementAugust 25, 2020
- Michigan Lawyers WeeklyJune 30, 2020
- State Bar of MichiganJune 15, 2020
- American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee NewsletterSpring 2020
- State Bar of MichiganMay 7, 2020
- Daily JournalApril 2, 2020
- OC Lawyer, Volume 62, Number 3March 2020http://www.virtualonlineeditions.com/publication/?m=15276&i=651447&p=48
- The Daily JournalDecember 30, 2019
- Bloomberg LawDecember 26, 2019
- Law Journal NewslettersSeptember 3, 2019
- Texas LawyerJune 3, 2019
- Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law JournalSpring 2019
- Law Journal Newsletters - Business Crime BulletinsMarch 2019
- DSO NewsFebruary 4, 2019https://dsonews.com/setting-yourself-up-for-successful-dental-practice-acquisition/
- Los Angeles Lawyer MagazineFebruary 2019
- The Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law, Vol. 2, No. 2, Full Court PressMarch–April 2019
- the Association of Corporate Counsel South Central Texas FOCUSOctober 1, 2018
- PaymentsSourceSeptember 11, 2018
- Association of Corporate Counsel South Central Texas Chapter FOCUS Newsletter, Q2, 2018
- "2018 New State and Federal Laws"Orange County LawyerMarch 2018
- California LawyerFebruary 1, 2018
- Westlaw Journal – Insurance CoverageOctober 13, 2017
- Legaltech NewsAugust 9, 2017
- Texas LawyerJuly 24, 2017
- Texas CEO MagazineApril 8, 2017https://texasceomagazine.com/departments/drones-construction/
- Los Angeles LawyerMarch 2017
- Law360January 27, 2017
- Law Journal Newsletters/Business Crimes BulletinJanuary 2017http://www.lawjournalnewsletters.com/sites/lawjournalnewsletters/2017/01/01/the-continuing-evolution-of-the-false-claims-act/?slreturn=20170018153506
- "Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, Chapter 114 - Partnership"Thomson ReutersJanuary 2017
- Los Angeles Lawyer MagazineDecember 2016
- Practical Solutions to Fend Off the Attack on the Confidentiality of Insurer-Coverage Counsel CommunicationsDRI In-House Defense QuarterlyMay 2016
- "What retailers need to know about e-commerce and the ADA"Retailing TodayMarch 27, 2015
- Metropolitan Corporate CounselJanuary 2015http://www.metrocorpcounsel.com/articles/31100/second-chair
- Inside CounselNovember 12, 2014http://www.insidecounsel.com/2014/11/12/getting-ahead-of-contract-pitfalls-a-commercial-li
- "Improving your contracts: A commercial litigator’s advice to in-house counsel"October 7, 2014
- Chicago Lawyer MagazineJuly 2014http://www.chicagolawyermagazine.com/Articles/2014/07/Closing-Argument-Feld-Nelson.aspx
- Smart Business DetroitOctober 2012
- Michigan Bar JournalFebruary 2011
- "Environmental Enforcement: The Government Strikes Back"Dallas Bar Association HeadnotesApril 2010
- "Twombly Applies to All Civil Cases," Co-AuthorDallas Bar Journal HeadnotesSeptember 2009
- "Expert Case Law Review 2007-2008"Texas Business Litigation JournalFall 2008
- "Internet as Medium: Art, Law, and the Digital Environment," Understanding the Arts and Private Sector in the United StatesRutgers University PressJune 2008
Events & Speaking Engagements
- November 6, 2020
- November 6, 2020
- October 23, 2020
- October 15, 2020
- November 17, 2016
- Impeachment and Refreshing Recollection, Ultimate Evidence Workshop: Admitting, Impeaching, and ObjectingOctober 14, 2016
- September 18, 2014
- Compliance and Internal Investigations, Texas Lawyer In-House Counsel Summit, Austin TexasAugust 2012
- Money Laundering: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know, Dallas Bar Association CLE, and Collin County Bar AssociationMarch 2012 and July 2012 respectively
- Media in Litigation, Guest Lecture, St. Mary's School of LawApril 2011
- Fair Use and Secondary Liability in the Electronic Age, Guest Lecture, UC San Diego, Extension ProgramMay 2008
- Motion Practice in Texas State and Federal Courts, Dallas TexasOctober 20, 2004
Articles & Alerts
- May 4, 2020
- April 28, 2020
- April 8, 2020
- March 30, 2020
- What Do You Do When Your Contract Does Not Contain A Force Majeure Clause?March 17, 2020
- March 12, 2020
- Proactive Analysis and Protocols Can Reduce Costs and Better Ensure Continuity of SupplyMarch 6, 2020
- March 5, 2020
- Insurance Claims, Force Majeure Notices and Protecting Other Legal Rights In The Wake Of Global Supply Chain Disruption Caused By COVID-19March 3, 2020
- May 15, 2019
- September 6, 2017
- June 2, 2014
- April 9, 2014
- New Law Seeks to Improve Consistency in Rulings and to Streamline ProceedingsOctober 18, 2012