David C. Wright III

Employment & Executive Compensation

• Represented a public company in a nationwide class action alleging gender discrimination in setting store manager salaries.
• Represented a public company in a putative class action concerning retiree benefits; successful in defeating preliminary injunction and class certification.
• Represented public logistics companies in over 30 different cases in which the clients obtained significant injunctive relief precluding competition and solicitation.
• Represents multiple public and private businesses in cases alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination; race, gender and age discrimination; and/or retaliation.
• Represented executives and businesses relating to the negotiation and finalization of comprehensive executive compensation agreements, including employment contracts, private-equity buyouts and severance arrangements.
• Successfully represented the largest health care provider in the Southeast in a class action challenging application of ERISA to benefit plans. Case and appeal dismissed.

Corporate & Securities Litigation

• Representation of seller and affiliates in action challenging $150 million equity purchase on multiple grounds.
• Represented the largest health care provider in the Southeast in securing denial of preliminary injunctive relief in an action brought by a public company related to a $100 million anesthesiology contract.
• Represented a public pharmaceutical company in litigation attempting to prevent merger.
• Represented a nationwide energy company in a lawsuit filed to enjoin merger with a competitor.
• Represented a special committee in a securities class action alleging breach of fiduciary duty in a "going private" merger. Case was dismissed.
• Represents a public company in a class action challenging disclosure of credit card information.

Commercial Litigation

• Obtained, on behalf of a private software firm, a multimillion-dollar verdict arising out of an enterprise software dispute, including treble damages for unfair and deceptive trade practices.
• Represented a global manufacturing company in a dispute with an international firm concerning multiple issues arising from supply of critical parts to nuclear power facilities.
• Obtained a multimillion-dollar verdict in arbitration on behalf of a public company arising from the supply of equipment to the manufacturing plant, defeating substantial counterclaims.

Product Liability

• Represented a public company in federal court action arising from the death of farmer while using agricultural equipment.
• Represented a lighting company presented with multimillion-dollar fire claims arising from alleged product failures.
• Represented an international manufacturing company in cases involving alleged malfunction of circuit wiring in heating units, including property damage and wrongful death claims.
• Represented a global manufacturer in conjunction with wrongful death claims arising out of carbon monoxide poisoning from boiler operation.
• Represented a global manufacturer in a suit alleging product failure resulting in the deaths of two small children.
• Represented a vaccine manufacturer in multidistrict litigation relating to alleged injuries caused by vaccine.

Insurance Coverage

• Represented an international company in a multimillion-dollar dispute with an insurer regarding payment and billing issues associated with retrospective premium program. Federal district court held that portion of billing program by insurer was unlawful and not in accord with policy language.
• Represented a global multi-industry manufacturer in a dispute with an insurer group concerning allocation and contribution issues arising from asbestos claims, including multifaceted coverage issues in successful multiyear litigation.
• Represents national company relating to business interruption claims arising out of Hurricane Helene damage in western North Carolina.

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