Luke Connelly

Products Liability/Consumer Protection

• Served as co-lead counsel for an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in a product liability MDL and state court consolidated proceedings alleging compulsive behaviors as an injury. 
• Defending an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in product liability actions alleging tardive dyskinesia.
• Successfully defended an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in product liability actions alleging juvenile diabetes. 
• Obtained defense verdicts in numerous jury trials against a major cigarette manufacturer asserting fraud and product liability claims in New York state and federal courts. 
• Obtained dismissal of over 200 individual fraud and product liability actions against a major cigarette manufacturer in New York state and federal courts.
• Successfully resolved consumer fraud and product liability claims against smokeless tobacco manufacturer. 
• Obtained dismissal of toxic tort claims against a real estate investment firm asserting liability for asbestos exposure. 
• Defended a large pharmaceutical company against product liability and deceptive trade practice claims in a nationwide mass tort litigation. 
• Successfully defended a major automobile manufacturer against a consumer fraud class action alleging defects in safety systems.
• Defended a major dairy company against consumer fraud class action alleging deceptive labeling.
• Obtained affirmance of dismissal of a consumer fraud action by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Successfully defended a credit card issuer in a consumer antitrust class action alleging conspiracy to include arbitration clauses in credit card agreements in the S.D.N.Y.
• Obtained dismissal of an action alleging deceptive trade practices under NY GBL 349 in connection with standard home owners insurance policy against one of the nation’s largest insurance companies.
• Obtained dismissal of a consumer class action in favor of arbitration on behalf of a cell phone service provider. 
• Obtained dismissal of a class action against national insurance company alleging violations of New York trade practices. 

Financial/Securities Litigation

• Obtained dismissal of breach of representation and warranty claims against a national bank arising out of commercial mortgage securitization. 
• Obtained permanent stay of financial advisor's arbitration against buyer in private-equity-sponsored asset purchase transaction
• Obtained dismissal of repurchase claims against national bank in action arising out of sale of portfolio of mortgage loans
• Successfully defended hedge funds in US$300 million fraud action arising out of cross-border acquisition
• Obtained dismissal for a bank holding corporation and its senior executives in a securities fraud class action alleging rule 10b-5 and section 20 claims based on allegedly undisclosed litigation risk.
• Served as defense liaison counsel in an MDL for a securities and fraud action arising out of collapse of futures broker. 
• Successfully defended an auditor in a fraud action arising out of the collapse of a futures broker and affiliates brought by liquidators of a hedge fund of funds and an investment manager. 
• Obtained dismissal of bondholders’ tortious interference with contract claims against an investment bank arising out of restructuring of US$130 million of municipal bonds.
• Successfully resolved an action against investment bank seeking repurchase of US$32M commercial real estate loan, alleging breaches of representations and warranties in connection with pool of commercial mortgage-backed securities.
• Obtained dismissal of rule 10b-5 claims against an outside auditor in a securities fraud class action in connection with the failure of real estate development company.
• Obtained dismissal of a contract-based action against real estate finance firm arising out of the sale of US$25M mortgage and foreclosure rights.
• Successfully defended a large investment bank in an action alleging breaches of representations and warranties in connection with the securitization of US$1B commercial mortgage-backed securities loan pool

Media/Trademark/Copyright Litigation

• Obtained summary judgement for a trademark owner dismissing an action for fraud and breach of a merchandise license agreement in D. Mass.
• Successfully defended a trademark owner from infringement claims based on the promotion and broadcast of a television series.
• Obtained a TRO and permanent injunction on behalf of a trademark owner against an infringer for the unauthorized sale of trademarked apparel and accessories in the S.D.N.Y.
• Obtained a dismissal of breach of license agreement claims seeking US$50M in connection with a merchandising license agreement for trademarked goods.
• Successfully resolved claims by an international media company against a financial services firm for the unauthorized use of subscription service.
• Obtained an injunction for a magazine and web publisher in an action based on infringement and dilution of the magazine’s trademark.
• Obtained dismissal of defamation claims brought against a blogger for allegedly libelous posts on investment information blog.
• Successfully asserted a reporter’s privilege in response to subpoenas to media companies.