Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Seattle Partner David Silke and Senior Counsel Eliza Whitworth secured a full defense victory for a company that designs and manufactures food-forming equipment, following a two-week federal jury trial in Oregon. The case involved complex breach of contract and employment-related claims brought by a former employee and inventor, who sought more than $173 million in damages.
The plaintiff alleged that he had invented technology used in the client’s food manufacturing equipment and claimed that he was owed substantial compensation under a contract. In addition to the $133 million breach of contract claim, the plaintiff asserted employment-related causes of action, including disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, whistleblower retaliation, and wrongful termination. He sought more than $40 million from the jury for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
The defense team successfully moved for judgment as a matter of law on the breach of contract claim following the plaintiff’s case-in-chief. The jury also returned a complete defense verdict on all remaining employment claims.
This result highlights the firm’s litigation strength in high-stakes, multifaceted disputes, including complex contract and employment matters. GRSM’s Employment and Commercial Litigation practices are nationally recognized for their trial capabilities, strategic motions practice, and efficient case management. With experienced trial lawyers across the country, the firm is well-positioned to handle challenging cases in any jurisdiction.