Non-compete, confidentiality, and trade secrets litigation
Mr. Curran has represented clients in numerous lawsuits involving the alleged theft of trade secrets, violation of confidentiality and fiduciary obligations, and breach of non-competition or non-solicitation agreements. In 2012, for example, Mr. Curran represented a medical research supply company in its lawsuit against a former employee and his new employer alleging theft of trade secrets and breach of a non-solicitation and confidentiality agreement. In late 2012, the federal district court granted our client’s motion for a preliminary injunction, and the lawsuit settled favorably shortly thereafter. Likewise, in 2011, Mr. Curran represented a professional search firm and its employee against a lawsuit filed by the search firm’s competitor (and the employee’s former employer), alleging breach of a non-competition agreement and unfair and deceptive business practices. The state trial court denied the competitor’s motion for a preliminary injunction, and the competitor dismissed the lawsuit voluntarily shortly thereafter. In 2011 and 2012, furthermore, Mr. Curran assisted a medical device manufacturer as counsel in separate lawsuits alleging theft of trade secrets and breach of restrictive covenants; both cases settled shortly after the respective courts granted our client’s preliminary injuntion motions. In addition to litigating restrictive convenant claims, Mr. Curran has also counseled clients extensively concerning the drafting, implementation, and enforceability of non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements.
Wage and Hour
Mr. Curran has represented clients operating in a variety of industries – including nationwide retail chains, a large business communications solutions company, cable and cable installation companies, and a nationwide operator of assisted living and nursing home facilities – in single-plaintiff, class, and collective action litigation arising under federal and state wage and hour laws. In 2011, for example, he defended a firm client against a putative class action filed in state court alleging failure to pay overtime and other violations of state wage and hour laws; following removal to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act, and defeat of the named plaintiffs’ motion for remand to state court, the plaintiffs dismissed the lawsuit voluntarily. More recently, in 2012 and 2013, Mr. Curran represented a nationwide healthcare services company and several of its executives against claims that the company had failed to pay commissions in violation of state wage and hour laws; following discovery, the plaintiffs agreed to settle their claims for 0% of their demand, and dismissed them with prejudice. Finally, Mr. Curran has also assisted clients in navigating and responding to investigations and audits of their wage payment practices conducted by various state and federal agencies responsible for enforcing wage and hour laws.
EEO
Mr. Curran has assisted clients in countless lawsuits and agency proceedings brought by current and former employees alleging violation of state and federal laws against discrimination and retaliation. In one such case – a putative class action alleging age discrimination against an international power equipment manufacturing company – the named plaintiff agreed to a favorable settlement rather than risk a court ruling on our client’s motion to dismiss his claims based on a release alleged to be invalid. In another, a plaintiff alleging disability discrimination and retaliation agreed to settle her claims against our client, a large entertainment and telecommunications company, for a fraction of her demand after Mr. Curran established, through discovery of the plaintiff and of non-parties, numerous falsehoods in the plaintiff’s deposition testimony. In two other cases, Mr. Curran secured court orders precluding the plaintiffs from recovering on their claims, based on judicial estoppel and lack of standing, after discovering that they had failed to disclose their claims against our clients in their bankruptcy filings.
Wrongful Discharge
Mr. Curran has successfully represented a number of clients against claims brought by their former employees alleging that they were terminated wrongfully, in breach of public policy or of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. In 2010 and 2011, for example, courts dismissed claims against our clients in two such cases – one on a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, and the other on a motion for summary judgment. The 2011 case included claims for violation of the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, based on allegations that our client had violated the plaintiff’s rights to privacy and freedom of speech; those claims were dismissed on our client’s motion for summary judgment as well.
Labor Relations
Mr. Curran has broad experience in traditional labor work, having represented clients in connection with grievance arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations, unfair labor practice charges, and representation elections. Most recently, in April 2013, Mr. Curran successfully defended a multinational snack food conglomerate in arbitration proceedings based on a union grievance protesting its discharge of a former employee; Mr. Curran obtained an award confirming that the grievant’s discharge had been for just cause.
