James E. von der Heydt

Successfully defended Learfield IMG College in federal litigation brought by former Buckeye and NFL commentator Chris Spielman, who asserted a challenge to college-athletics amateurism at The Ohio State University and nationwide.

Favorably resolved a variety of commercial disputes on behalf of the Cleveland Cavaliers; a fast-growing scrap-metal company; a fiber-optic cable network designer; a software interface designer; and a health-products distributor confronting business misconduct in the face of the pandemic.

Through aggressive pre-litigation work and mediation, obtained a $23 million settlement for a leading marketing agency in contract dispute with international brand over Far East licensing revenues.

Successfully defended a nationwide mortgage servicer in putative class action filed in bankruptcy court, debunking class theories and resolving matter on an individual basis.

Achieved highly favorable settlement for Fortune 500 company from alleged trade-secret thieves who had founded new product line based on years’ worth of client’s market research, after filing offensive motions for summary judgment in favor of plaintiff at close of discovery.

Achieved favorable settlement on behalf of large manufacturing company in dispute alleging multiple hazardous construction defects in specialized refinement facility important to national security.

Represented large Cleveland law firm in initial proceedings against seceding department of the firm, whose members split off suddenly in an attempt to avoid sharing revenue allegedly amounting to more than $30 million.

Successfully represented a major national brand in three-week arbitration over misuse of trademark license related to brownfield real-estate development.

Through full arbitration, secured total defense judgment on discrimination claims brought by terminated employee against top executive leading a division of an international enterprise.

After helping power-plant operator prevail in contract dispute over key commodity supply, won Sixth Circuit appeal over seven-figure attorney’s fee claim.

Prevailed on behalf of defendant in two appeals before the Sixth Circuit in Swiss breach-of-contract action arising from construction projects in Iraq, and secured judgment tagging plaintiff as a vexatious litigator.

Defended Fortune 500 company through final arbitration award in eight-figure contract dispute, litigating details of major Superfund project involving hundreds of millions of dollars of remediation work.

Using overseas service of process, successfully sued on behalf of NFL player to recover against insolvent European software company, and on behalf of the PGA of America against a Korean streaming service.

In dispute against overseas government, successfully used the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act to establish basis for venue in New York City and recover a sizable cash settlement for an international events agency.

Represented the Miss Universe pageant in a variety of disputes, including sponsorship-contract claims against a Czech jewelry conglomerate and a British provider of anti-covid products.

Achieved highly favorable settlements by bringing suit in Delaware Superior Court against an Australian fitness franchisor and an international provider of industrial gases.