Aviation Law
Chapman v. Alaska Airlines, Inc. – Nationally known plaintiff’s counsel brought a class action involving 3.9 million plaintiffs and claims dating back to 1996. Plaintiff, a frequent flyer, claimed that Alaska Airlines had breached its contract and acted unfairly when it “retroactively devalued” accrued mileage by increasing award levels for free travel in its frequent flyer plan. After extensive briefing and oral argument, the entire case was dismissed with prejudice. Lead counsel.
Bradford v. Alaska Airlines – Lead counsel for Alaska Airlines in a case brought by twenty-six flight attendants claiming numerous illnesses due to the alleged systematic release of neuro-toxic organo-phosphates on MD-80 airplanes.
MarkAir v. Alaska Airlines – Lead counsel for Alaska Airlines. MarkAir, a competitor of Alaska Airlines, went bankrupt and was liquidated after Alaska Airlines terminated its frequent flyer and code share contracts with MarkAir. At its zenith, MarkAir had more than 61 planes, flew to more than 145 cities, had more than 2,000 employees, and its annual revenues exceeded $250 million before it went out of business. MarkAir claimed damages that exceeded $150 million. The case settled for $16.5 million two days before the start of a multi-month jury trial in Anchorage.
Business Litigation
MarkAir v. Alaska Airlines – Lead counsel for Alaska Airlines. MarkAir, a competitor of Alaska Airlines, went bankrupt and was liquidated after Alaska Airlines terminated its frequent flyer and code share contracts with MarkAir. At its zenith, MarkAir had more than 61 planes, flew to more than 145 cities, had more than 2,000 employees, and its annual revenues exceeded $250 million before it went out of business. MarkAir claimed damages that exceeded $150 million. The case settled for $16.5 million two days before the start of a multi-month jury trial in Anchorage.
The Hearst Corporation & Seattle Post-Intelligencer v. The Seattle Times – The Hearst Corporation retained Corr Cronin to help save the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, one of Seattle’s two daily newspapers. In a lawsuit being followed by The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and other national media, Hearst sued The Seattle Times to block an attempt by The Seattle Times to dissolve a 20-year old joint newspaper operating arrangement (“JOA”) between The Seattle Times and Hearst. The Seattle Times claimed that it incurred three consecutive years of financial losses under the JOA, allowing it to terminate joint publication of the two newspapers. After four years of litigation, the case settled. The Seattle Times agreed to pay Hearst $24 million and continue the JOA for at least nine more years.
Seattle Times: “Times’ finances may not be as dire as pictured”
Seattle Times: “Judge hears arguments over Seattle Times’ loss”
Seattle PI: “P-I wins in court”
Seattle PI: “Times, P-I battle still not settled”
Seattle Weekly: “A Choice Ruling”
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Seattle newspapers’ fight to enter critical stage
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: “P-I, Times settle JOA litigation”
Courtney Love v. Nirvana, et al. – Nirvana L.L.C. and the remaining band members hired Mr. Corr to release additional Nirvana music over the objection of Courtney Love and to have her declared incompetent and removed as the representative to the L.L.C. of Kurt Cobain’s estate. There was extensive media coverage of the case. Case settled; music was released.
New York Times: “Smells Like Mean Spirits”
Seattle PI: “No Love lost in court case against Nirvana song”
Seattle PI: “Mental exam asked for Courtney Love”
Can Base v. “Heart” – Multi-million dollar entertainment law case when famous rock and roll band quit its recording company. Three emergency appeals to Ninth Circuit and at least ten different hearings on a wide variety of legal issues, including T.R.O.s, contempt, replevin, etc.
Don Wright v. Pier 67, et al. – Successful defense of a $2 million derivative action involving a takeover of the Edgewater Hotel. Summary judgment entered in favor of our client and counterclaims for conversion settled for substantial sum just before trial. Lead counsel.
Class Action/Mass Tort
Chapman v. Alaska Airlines, Inc. – Nationally known plaintiff’s counsel brought a class action involving 3.9 million plaintiffs and claims dating back to 1996. Plaintiff, a frequent flyer, claimed that Alaska Airlines had breached its contract and acted unfairly when it “retroactively devalued” accrued mileage by increasing award levels for free travel in its frequent flyer plan. After extensive briefing and oral argument, the entire case was dismissed with prejudice. Lead counsel.
Bradford v. Alaska Airlines – Lead counsel for Alaska Airlines in a case brought by twenty-six flight attendants claiming numerous illnesses due to the alleged systematic release of neuro-toxic organo-phosphates on MD-80 airplanes.
Auditing Malpractice Case – Lead counsel defending claims by 600-plus plaintiffs asserting losses of over $150 million.
Puget Sound Business Journal: Bankruptcy judge to Berg case trustee: Tell it to (another) judge
Puget Sound Business Journal: Moss Adams: Trustee filed ‘flimsy case’ in Berg litigation
Puget Sound Business Journal: Moss Adams denies $25M Berg audit settlement offer
Puget Sound Business Journal: Trustee in Darren Berg Ponzi case ordered to pay Moss Adams $74K in legal fees
Class Action Jury Trial – Lead defense counsel in a 4-week class action jury trial. Defense verdict returned for our client.
Braam, et al. v. State of Washington – Involved 13 individual plaintiffs seeking to certify a statewide class involving more than 10,000 foster children allegedly “shuttled” among foster homes and denied mental health care. Damages in excess of $9 million were sought as well as statewide injunctive relief. Corr Cronin was hired by Washington State’s Attorney General’s office after a competitive interview process. Co-Counsel in a seven-week class-action jury trial. Trial court injunction was reversed by the State Supreme Court. Case recently settled.
Seattle PI: “Foster-care system put on trial”
Seattle PI: “Verdict in DSHS case opens door for reforms”
Robinson, et al. v. Alamo and National Car Rental Company, et al. – Lead counsel for Alamo and National. Plaintiffs sought a class action involving thousands of consumers who over a three year period had paid an “airport concession recoupment fee” when renting a car at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Instead of granting plaintiffs’ motion for class certification based on Consumer Protection Act violations, the trial court granted defendants’ motions for summary judgment and dismissed the entire case. The Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the result and the State Supreme Court denied review.
Anderson v. Cedar Grove Composting – Co-lead counsel for a putative class action involving twenty-two named plaintiffs and potentially hundreds of other neighbors suing the state’s largest compost facility for personal injuries and property damages. Class certification was denied and the case later settled for the cost of defense going forward.
Schwendeman v. USAA Ins. Co. – In a case modeled after the $2 billion State Farm case in Illinois, Steve Berman, a nationally known plaintiffs’ class action lawyer, sued USAA in Washington claiming that the use of non-OEM parts to repair cars involved in accidents violated Washington State’s Consumer Protection Act as well as each insurance contract held by the purported plaintiff class. Berman sought to certify a class of 100,000 insureds involving tens of millions of dollars in alleged damages. Class certification was defeated in its entirety and the result was unanimously affirmed on appeal. Co-Counsel.
Employment Law
Class Action Jury Trial – Lead defense counsel in a 4-week class action jury trial. Defense verdict returned for our client.
Lam Research v. Deshmukh – Lam sued a former PhD engineer who quit and went to Applied Materials. The case involved dielectric etch in semiconductor chips. Lam obtained a preliminary injunction in federal court based on the “inevitable disclosure” of trade secrets doctrine. After the injunction issued, Mr. Corr was hired, appealed to the Ninth Circuit and convinced the Court of Appeals to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the entire case based on choice of law principles.
Haag, et al. v. Eastman Kodak, et al. – Lead trial counsel in four-week jury trial. Multiple plaintiffs sought large damages for sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and other causes of action. A defense verdict was obtained in favor of our client.
West v. Skyway Luggage – West sued Skyway, claiming she was the victim of discriminatory discharge and sexual harassment. After a week-long trial, a defense verdict was obtained for our client. Lead trial counsel.
Marsh & McLennan v. Corroon & Black/Dawson Co. – Eight key employees simultaneously left Marsh and went to the same competitor; substantial money damages resulted. Seven-day preliminary injunction hearing based on unfair competition and trade secrets. Lead trial counsel.
Intellectual Property
Lam Research v. Deshmukh – Lam sued a former PhD engineer who quit and went to Applied Materials. The case involved dielectric etch in semiconductor chips. Lam obtained a preliminary injunction in federal court based on the “inevitable disclosure” of trade secrets doctrine. After the injunction issued, Mr. Corr was hired, appealed to the Ninth Circuit and convinced the Court of Appeals to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the entire case based on choice of law principles.
Marsh & McLennan v. Corroon & Black/Dawson Co. – Eight key employees simultaneously left Marsh and went to the same competitor; substantial money damages resulted. Seven-day preliminary injunction hearing based on unfair competition and trade secrets. Lead trial counsel.
Courtney Love v. Nirvana, et al. – Nirvana L.L.C. and the remaining band members hired Mr. Corr to release additional Nirvana music over the objection of Courtney Love and to have her declared incompetent and removed as the representative to the L.L.C. of Kurt Cobain’s estate. There was extensive media coverage of the case. Case settled; music was released.
New York Times: “Smells Like Mean Spirits”
Seattle PI: “No Love lost in court case against Nirvana song”
Seattle PI: “Mental exam asked for Courtney Love”
Personal Injury
Bradford v. Alaska Airlines – Lead counsel for Alaska Airlines in a case brought by twenty-six flight attendants claiming numerous illnesses due to the alleged systematic release of neuro-toxic organo-phosphates on MD-80 airplanes.
Anderson v. Cedar Grove Composting – Co-lead counsel for a putative class action involving twenty-two named plaintiffs and potentially hundreds of other neighbors suing the state’s largest compost facility for personal injuries and property damages. Class certification was denied and the case later settled for the cost of defense going forward.
Lynn v. Labor Ready, Inc. – Labor Ready hired Mr. Corr to replace one of Seattle’s largest firms in defending Labor Ready against a $25 million wrongful death suit brought by the family of a murdered single mother. The plaintiff alleged that Labor Ready negligently placed the murderer, a level three sex offender, at a YWCA shelter for homeless women, enabling him to meet his victim. Corr Cronin obtained summary judgment after convincing the judge that no proximate cause existed between Labor Ready’s alleged negligence and the mother’s death. Plaintiff’s $25 million claim was dismissed in its entirety and that result was affirmed on appeal.
Racial Profiling – Lead counsel for two different retailers charged with racial profiling in false arrest cases. In one of the cases, the alleged shoplifter died during the arrest. Both cases were extensively covered by print and broadcast media.
Erickson v. Upjohn – Successful defense of a suicide by a 56 year old mother and wife. Plaintiffs blamed the death on Halcion and sought millions in damages. The case was dismissed on summary judgment and the Ninth Circuit affirmed.
Products Liability
Erickson v. Upjohn – Successful defense of a suicide by a 56 year old mother and wife. Plaintiffs blamed the death on Halcion and sought millions in damages. The case was dismissed on summary judgment and the Ninth Circuit affirmed.
Professional Liability
Auditing Malpractice Case – Lead counsel defending claims by 600-plus plaintiffs asserting losses of over $150 million.
Puget Sound Business Journal: Bankruptcy judge to Berg case trustee: Tell it to (another) judge
Puget Sound Business Journal: Moss Adams: Trustee filed ‘flimsy case’ in Berg litigation
Puget Sound Business Journal: Moss Adams denies $25M Berg audit settlement offer
Puget Sound Business Journal: Trustee in Darren Berg Ponzi case ordered to pay Moss Adams $74K in legal fees
In Re Psychiatric Malpractice – Lead trial counsel for approximately 30 psychiatrists who have been successfully defended in recent years in a variety of cases involving suicides, Tarasoff situations, undue familiarity and tardive dyskinesia. In a number of these cases, summary judgment was obtained and thereafter affirmed on appeal (e.g. 56 Wn. App. 575 (1990); 61 Wn. App. 830, 812 P.2d 872 (1991)). In others, the cases were successfully tried to verdict and affirmed on appeal. 70 Wn. App. 1053 (1993); 123 Wn.2d 1007 (1994).
Hawkins v. Sanders, et al. – Defense of a million dollar plus legal malpractice claim based on a novel theory; i.e., that a criminal defense lawyer should have voluntarily disclosed his client’s mental problems at a bail hearing. Summary judgment for our client; affirmed on appeal. 24 Wn. App. 338 (1979). Analyzed in 21 Tort & Ins. L.J. 355 (1986). Lead counsel.
Real Estate/Environmental
Anderson v. Cedar Grove Composting – Co-lead counsel for a putative class action involving twenty-two named plaintiffs and potentially hundreds of other neighbors suing the state’s largest compost facility for personal injuries and property damages. Class certification was denied and the case later settled for the cost of defense going forward.
Northwest Enviro v. Paccar – As sole trial counsel, successfully tried a ten-day construction arbitration involving a contaminated Superfund site and “hot spot” soils.
Oregon LNG v. Port of Astoria – Lead counsel for Oregon LNG in a multi-million lease dispute. Summary judgment entered in favor of Oregon LNG and injunction issued directing the Port of Astoria to renew a lease for 30 years.
Trial.com: “Corr Cronin Victory for Oregon LNG”
University Village Litigation – As lead trial counsel, successfully defeated preliminary injunction sought by Texaco in a case involving a prescriptive easement claim. In two other cases as lead counsel after two-week trials, successfully obtained injunctions against a major department store involving breaches of a “use” clause in a shopping center lease.
Other
Entertainment
Can Base v. “Heart” – Multi-million dollar entertainment law case when famous rock and roll band quit its recording company. Three emergency appeals to Ninth Circuit and at least ten different hearings on a wide variety of legal issues, including T.R.O.s, contempt, replevin, etc.
Tort
Racial Profiling – Lead counsel for two different retailers charged with racial profiling in false arrest cases. In one of the cases, the alleged shoplifter died during the arrest. Both cases were extensively covered by print and broadcast media.
Unfair Competition
Marsh & McLennan v. Corroon & Black/Dawson Co. – Eight key employees simultaneously left Marsh and went to the same competitor; substantial money damages resulted. Seven-day preliminary injunction hearing based on unfair competition and trade secrets. Lead trial counsel.
