Geoffrey Harper

Geoffrey has represented plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts as well as before various arbitration entities. His first chair litigation experience includes the following areas:

• Class Actions—Represented plaintiffs and defendants in multiple class actions for violations of antitrust laws, securities fraud, FCRA, TCPA, and other torts
• Employment—Represented companies and employees in litigation over ERISA, employment contracts, fraud, theft of trade secrets, enforcement of anti-competition clauses, and other state and federal claims
• Securities Violations—Represented companies, directors, and shareholders in litigation for violations of state and federal laws
• Commercial Disputes—Represented plaintiffs and defendants in suits alleging violations of contracts, merger agreements, unfair competition, fraud, breach of warranty, and other torts
• Intellectual Property—Represented plaintiffs and defendants in litigation for infringement of trademarks, trade dress litigation, copyright disputes, conversion, and theft of trade secrets
• Insurance—Multiple representations against insurers for breach of duties to defend and indemnify
• Appellate—Argued appeals throughout Texas and before four federal appellate circuits

Some of his recent litigation has included:

• In re Worldcom Sec. Litig.—Represented director and member of finance committee in multiple-class actions seeking more than US$1 trillion for fraud and violations of securities laws. Settled all cases during jury selection for unique settlement allowing client to pay a fraction of damages of other directors.
• Utah Contract Action—Hired three days before trial after disastrous pretrial hearing which included summary judgment ruling on liability, sanctions orders, and evidence exclusions. Took over trial team and obtained jury verdict for half of last settlement offer and less than 10% of claimed damages. Settled case—and two related matters—before entry of judgment on extremely favorable terms.
• In re Cool Partners—Represented group of shareholders and bankruptcy estate in litigation against members of board of directors for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.  Case settled during summary judgment argument for US$9 million, representing 90% of corporate liability insurance policies.
• Missouri FCRA class action—Hired after existing trial counsel and magistrate judge recommended settlement of FCRA class action for US$40 million. Altered case strategy, asserted new defenses, and engaged in minimal discovery. The day after filing the brief in opposition to plaintiff’s motion for class certification, plaintiff called and asked to settle.  Case settled for US$20,000.
• Multiple FCRA class actions—After obtaining the settlement above), client requested that Geoffrey take over seven class actions seeking more than US$1 billion in damages pending in Virginia, California, Ohio, New York, and Illinois.  Obtained dismissals of multiple matters and stays in others. The remaining matters settled on extremely favorable terms.
• Yahoo/Broadcast.com—Hired after client received ex-parte TRO at 5:30 PM on December 23 ordering, among other things, Yahoo to turn off its website.  Obtained dissolution of TRO in less than 24 hours (after locating judge to conduct adversary hearing on a holiday). Case then traveled through multiple judges and jurisdictions with plaintiffs trying to reinstate injunctive relief (and recused judge). Obtained summary judgment of all claims against represented directors.
• Dallas Basketball—Represented client in multiple class actions for violation of the TCPA. Negotiated a settlement with a newly filed case (ending other class actions) for less than 1% of statutory damages.
• Dallas Basketball Cont.—After denial of insurance coverage, sued insurer for coverage of TCPA action. Obtained summary judgment of duty to defend and upheld order on appeal. Case settled for 100% of damages, all fees incurred in both cases, interest, and agreed punitive damages.
• Architect Suit—Represented architect in suit against world’s largest architecture firm for fraud and breach of employment contract. After two-week trial, obtained jury verdict for more than US$4 million representing 120% of requested award. Listed as one of the verdicts of the year by the Dallas Business Journal.
• Lighthouse Litigation—Represented insurance company in suit for infringement of client’s lighthouse trademark. Obtained summary judgment of infringement.  After a one-week trial, jury awarded 100% of requested damages.
• Excel Transportation—Defended large transportation company in suit against former employees seeking more than US$50 million for breach of contract and fraud. After two-week trial, jury awarded less than US$1.5 million. Obtained complete defense verdict award of no damages on appeal.
• Hunt Asset Management—Representing Hunt family fund in litigation against investors in a telecommunications company. Case settled before trial for exchange of releases and no monies from Hunt.
• El Paso Electric Company v. Central & South West Inc.—Representing public utility in breach of contract suit involving failed merger. After obtaining partial verdict in excess of US$25 million, case settled for US$35 million.
• GTESS Corporation v. Imaged Data, Inc.—Representing software manufacturer in contract dispute against licensee; obtained permanent injunction and damages after two-day arbitration.
• Rodriguez v. Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou—Defending pop-singer George Michael in a defamation action brought by a Los Angeles police officer; obtained dismissal of all claims prior to the start of discovery.
• Wiseman v. Johnson—Representing individual in breach of contract case and obtained verdict of US$3 million and finding of non-dischargeability in bankruptcy.
• Lowrance v. Equinox Corporation—Prosecuted class action against large multi-level marketing company client. Obtained and defended certification of class of consumers. Case settled for US$40 million as defendant liquidated all assets.
• In re Commercial Explosives Antitrust Litigation—Prosecuted class action against explosive manufacturers for illegal pricing. Case settled with multi-million dollar payments by defendants.