Swanson and Gallagher Win Major Trial Victory for Clark

Brian Swanson and Sean Gallagher won a major jury trial for Clark Material Handling Company. Clark sued Toyota in the Western District of North Carolina for tortious interference and various state-law claims, alleging that Toyota had improperly coerced a regional forklift dealer and long-time distributor of Toyota machines, parts, and services into terminating its newly formed dealer relationship with Clark. Bartlit Beck led a two-week jury trial, in which the jury found for Clark on all claims and awarded several million dollars in damages to Clark. Bartlit Beck's post-trial motions convinced the district court to treble damages and award attorney's fees, which nearly quadrupled Clark's damages award. The case settled while on appeal to the Fourth Circuit.