Jeanette M. Bazis

BUSINESS LITIGATION 

• Represented financial institution in a federal action to recover tens of millions of dollars in losses incurred as a result of unsuitable investments of client’s cash collateral in the defendant bank’s securities lending program
• Defended numerous public companies from securities fraud claims
• Brought an action on behalf of a satellite communications service provider in connection with breach of an exclusive distribution agreement for a Department of Defense contract
• Defended former minority shareholders of a corporation against attempts by the corporation to pierce the corporate veil to recover $20-plus million in environmental remediation costs. Achieved outright dismissal of claims by the plaintiff in the midst of discovery and motion practice
• Represented a publicly held technology company in a successful effort to avoid delisting by NASDAQ
• Assist both public and private companies in internal investigations and lawsuits addressing financial improprieties by executives and employees
• Represent victims of Ponzi schemes to recover lost funds and lost investments including successfully appealed the dismissal of claims against a bank for aiding and abetting the Ponzi schemers’ fraud
• Routinely represent clients in closely held business disputes. For instance: Brought a successful action against our client’s joint venture partner for financial improprieties, recovering millions of dollars for the client on the eve of trial
• Successfully defended privately-held parent company in a lawsuit charging the management of a wholly-owned subsidiary with engaging in a fraudulent management buyout
• Represented a former law firm partner in connection with his severance and recovery of his share of the firm’s contingency fees

EMPLOYMENT

• Recently brought a successful 26-defendant lawsuit in federal court and FINRA on behalf of a financial services company to enforce its departed employees’ non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, achieving a favorable settlement after a stipulated temporary restraining order
• Represent clients in actions before administrative agencies, state and federal courts and FINRA involving non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information, wrongful termination, and other employment disputes. Represent employers in a wide range of discrimination lawsuits, and wage and hour disputes. Also represent clients in executive compensation and severance disputes. Conduct workplace investigations

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• Initiate and defend lawsuits to protect clients’ rights in their trademarks, trade dress and copyrights
• Represents clients in disputes over patents and patent ownership
• Successfully represented a national affinity marketing corporation in a dispute with a competitor over their respective trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, reaching a business resolution early in the case after an informal exchange of information
• Hubbard Feeds, Inc. v. Animal Feed Supplement, Inc., 182 F.3d 598 (8th Cir. 1999). Successful defense of trademark infringement action brought by international animal feed company against manufacturer of animal feed supplement. Awarded summary judgment by federal court dismissing all trademark-related claims
• Peterson v. Highland Music, Inc., 140 F.3d 1313 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, Gusto Records, Inc. v. Peterson, 525 U.S. 983 (1998). At summary judgment stage, and on appeal, successfully represented the performers of the popular "oldies" song, “Louie Louie,” enabling them to recapture ownership of their master recordings because of nonpayment of royalties
• Represented an ousted LLC member in an action to pursue his ownership rights in a patent. After the first day of trial, the former co-member defendant signed over all ownership rights in the patent to our client

PUBLIC SECTOR AND NON-PROFIT

• Achieved dismissal of action against school district for alleged violations of campaign finance reporting and fair campaign practices statutes in connection with school levy questions
• Represented public-sector securities lending participants in a federal action to rescind the defendant bank’s investment of participants’ cash collateral in an unsuitable structure investment vehicle. Settled for 96 cents on the dollar
• Regularly defend school districts in employment and civil rights litigation, and in high-stakes personal injury lawsuits
• Defended one of state’s largest school districts in a high-profile dispute with the federal government and six private plaintiffs regarding alleged Title IX and Minnesota Human Rights Act violations, reaching a settlement that has become a model for districts nationwide
• Conduct internal investigations and defend litigation for social service organizations in sensitive and high-stakes matters