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Million Dollar Verdicts:

Collins & Lacy attorneys shut down a $4.2 million claim in Federal Court, and won a $2.7 million verdict in a separate Federal Court trial in the same month. 

[South Carolina – September 26, 2013] – During the month of September, Collins & Lacy litigation attorneys have tried two multimillion verdicts in two separate jury trials.

Jury awards more than $2.7 million in an Upstate banking trial:

The most recent verdict was returned Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in an Upstate banking trial.  An eight person jury in the United States District Court, Spartanburg Division returned a verdict awarding more than $2.7 million to First South Bank, which is based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The jury found the defendant, a large bank based in Cincinnati, Ohio, liable for breach of contract and fraud. The verdict included an award of $396,000 in punitive damages.

The lawsuit arose from a participation agreement by which the two banks financed a residential real estate project in North Carolina. 

First South Bank was represented by Joel Collins and Lee Floyd of the statewide law firm Collins & Lacy, P.C. and by Robert Goings of the Goings Law Firm in Columbia. The defendant was represented by a Cincinnati firm and a Spartanburg firm. The presiding judge was the Honorable Mary G. Lewis.

Commenting on the court victory, Collins stated, “The credit goes to my co-counsel and especially to the president of First South Bank, W.C. ‘Chip’ Lyerly. Mr. Lyerly attended every deposition and every court hearing. He was in attendance for the entire day during all 10 days of trial. His knowledge of the case was extraordinary, and his help was invaluable.”

Further rulings on the damages and other fees are expected by Judge Lewis later this week.

Jury returns a defense verdict against a $4.2 million claim in a Midlands Federal Court:

Earlier this month, Collins & Lacy won a defense verdict against three separate counts and $4.2 million in claims in the United States District Court, Orangeburg Division.

Collins & Lacy Employment Practice Group Chair Christian Boesl, along with co-counsel Robert Goings of the Goings Law Firm, represented the Defendants Carolina Fresh Farms in the two-week Federal trial. The presiding judge was the Honorable J. Michelle Childs.

The Plaintiffs alleged violation of the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA), the Lanham Act (Trademark Infringement), and Breach of Contract.

On September 4, after nearly two weeks of trial, it took the jury only 45 minutes to find in favor of the Defendants, clearing them of any wrong doing on all counts. The defense verdict was in opposition to the Plaintiffs’ request for damages in the amount of $4.2 million.

“This case meant everything,” said Carolina Fresh Farms CEO Andy Fogle. “Because of this verdict, my family’s company and the almost 80 people who work here can continue to have a job. It’s very rare that you find people who care about your business and its people the way that Christian and Collins & Lacy do.”

“The principal focus of our law firm is to defend South Carolina businesses and the folks who work for them.  That’s who we are and what we do,” said Collins & Lacy Managing Partner Mike Pitts. “We always strive to meet our clients’ expectations, and it’s gratifying to know that, according to our clients in these two cases, we did just that.”

For more information about Collins & Lacy, please visit www.collinsandlacy.com or the International Society of Primerus Law Firms.