John D. Byars

Representative Matters

In re Google Play Antitrust Litigation
Represented consumer class alleging that Google has engaged in anticompetitive conduct in order to monopolize the market for distribution of applications and in-app content on Android devices. The case alleges violations of the antitrust laws based on Google’s contractual restrictions and other conduct, resulting in a significant overcharge on the price of Android apps and in-app content. Case pending.

East Palestine Train Derailment Litigation
Trial and coordinating counsel to Trinity Industries Leasing Company in class action and CERCLA litigation arising from the East Palestine, Ohio, Train Derailment of February 3, 2023, pending in federal courts in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Elliott Associates, L.P. v. Porsche SE
Represented hedge funds in securities fraud and manipulation lawsuit against Porsche SE related to Porsche SE's attempted takeover of Volkswagen AG in 2008.

Hedge Fund Litigation Counseling – Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities
Counsel to hedge funds on issues involving rights and remedies of securitization certificate holders and securitization trusts, including review of documentation, design of legal strategies, and negotiation with adverse parties.

Mortgage Guarantee Insurance Corp. v. Lehman Brothers, Inc.
Represented MGIC in connection with a claim against Lehman Brothers, Inc. for fraud and breaches of representations and warranties related to mortgage loans insured by MGIC and included in certain mortgage-backed securities. The bankruptcy trustee sought to disallow MGIC's claim altogether. Following briefing on the issue and mediation, the trustee and MGIC reached a settlement that granted MGIC a $33 million unsecured claim against the Lehman Brothers, Inc. bankruptcy estate.

Amaranth LLC v. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Represented hedge fund and trading advisor in their action for breach of contract and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage against investment bank, commercial bank, and futures commission merchant. Damages in excess of $1 billion.

Stanfield Offshore Leveraged Assets, Ltd., et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, et al.
Represented group of investment funds in suit against former creditors of bankrupt corporation for aiding and abetting fraud and breaches of fiduciary duties. 

ACP Master, Ltd., et al. v. Bank of America, et al.
Represented certain holders of Fontainbleau in their actions against financial institutions for breach of contract.

Ocean Ridge Capital Advisors, LLC v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, et al.
Represented litigation trustee in preference and fraudulent transfer actions against former creditors of bankrupt corporation. Case settled.

RealNetworks, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp.
Represented RealNetworks in antitrust suit against Microsoft. RealNetworks obtained a $761 million settlement.

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. v. Bacno Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA., et. al.
Represented NextEra in a billion-dollar dispute concerning its obligations to a syndicate of banks that financed its subsidiary's development of a solar thermal power plant in Spain. Case settled on a confidential basis.

Federal Insurance Company v. Speedboat Racing Ltd. v. Rambler 100 LLC
Represented Rambler in connection with breach of contract and admiralty claims related to loss of racing sloop. Case settled on a confidential basis.

High 5 Games, LLC v. IGT 
Trial counsel for leading casino-style game developer IGT in breach of contract and trademark dispute with supplier. The dispute involved the parties' respective rights and obligations related to intellectual property created under their game development agreement. Case settled. 

ET Plus Litigation
National counsel for defendants, Trinity Industries and Trinity Highway Products, in litigation alleging personal injuries from Trinity's ET Plus guardrail end terminal system.

Botox Litigation
Counsel for Allergan in cases involving allegations that BOTOX® causes various injuries. Obtained favorable settlements in three of the four cases in which we represent Allergan. Tried the fourth case to a jury verdict for plaintiffs. Case is on appeal.

Confidential v. Novartis 
Trial counsel for Novartis in an arbitration involving claims that Novartis breached a contract for the development of a drug compound licensed from a third party.

Bradburn Parent Teacher Store v. 3M Company
Represented 3M in antitrust litigation brought by class of retailers concerning transparent tape. Case settled favorably prior to trial.