Ulrike B. Connelly Partner

• Representation of a major global research university in defending against allegations of trade secret misappropriation and breach of a software license agreement brought by a former vendor. Secured complete dismissal of all claims on summary judgment shortly before trial.*
• Representation of a leading national online real estate marketplace in employment-related unfair competition and trade secret litigation in Washington State Court seeking approximately $2 billion in damages. The court dismissed more than $1 billion of the claimed damages, found in favor of the client on spoliation allegations, and granted multiple motions for partial summary judgment dismissing most tort-based claims. The matter settled on the scheduled first day of trial.*
• Representation of a large, multi-state company in litigation to enforce a departed CEO’s non-compete and confidentiality obligations, including protection of the company’s trade secrets.*
• Representation of a large multinational company in the onboarding of a high-level executive from a competitor to ensure compliance with applicable confidentiality agreements.*
• Representation of a large multinational company in an internal investigation concerning a vendor’s misuse of proprietary information and intellectual property, and negotiation of a resolution addressing the company’s concerns.*
• Representation of a large national company in a dispute concerning alleged misappropriation of proprietary information and trade secrets by a joint venture partner arising out of a failed joint venture related to a planned joint bid.*
• Representation of a statewide hospitality and lodging trade association and other large retail stakeholders in appellate litigation challenging “fair trade” pricing rules regulating negotiated pricing between spirits and wine suppliers and retailers. Secured a Washington Court of Appeals, Division I decision invalidating three key pricing rules.*
• Representation of a consortium of real estate investment funds in litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington concerning a broker-dealer agreement and claims for breach of contract, tortious interference, successor liability, and veil-piercing, resulting in a complete defense verdict affirmed by the Ninth Circuit.*
• Representation of the personal representative of a sizable estate in contested probate litigation in King County Superior Court challenging the validity of the decedent’s will and marriage. Resolved after submission of the personal representative’s motion for summary judgment.*
• Representation of a regional investment fund and its affiliated entities as defendants in appellate proceedings before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit seeking to set aside a jury verdict.*
• Representation of a consortium of national retailers and industry trade associations in an appeal before the Washington Court of Appeals, Division II, challenging state liquor and cannabis regulations. Secured a decision striking the principal rule and eliminating a 10% license fee.*
• Representation of major retailers and industry trade associations before the Washington Supreme Court on direct review to defend the validity of a state liquor regulatory rule. The court upheld the rule.*
• Defense of the constitutionality of a statewide ballot initiative before the Supreme Court of Washington, on behalf of the initiative’s sponsors, concerning the privatization of liquor sales across the state.*
• Representation of an individual appellant in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit challenging a conditional guilty plea to a felony on constitutional grounds.*
• Representation of a coalition of Washington alcohol and cannabis industry stakeholders in advocacy before the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board, including negotiating alternative resolutions to licensing violations and advocating for modifications to existing liquor regulations.*
• Representation of a leading national retailer consortium and trade associations in rulemaking and subsequent litigation challenging numerous agency rules implementing Washington’s Initiative 1183 before the state liquor and cannabis regulator, the Thurston County Superior Court, and the Washington Court of Appeals, Division II. Secured invalidation of all rules with leave for proper re‑promulgation, resolved several disputes by settlement, and pursued additional appellate challenges to two further rules.*
• Representation of a coalition of statewide trade associations and large multi-location retailers in multi-year rulemaking advocacy before the Liquor and Cannabis Board and subsequent litigation in the Superior Court of Washington (Thurston County) challenging the validity of pricing rules governing Washington liquor sales.*
• Representation of a coalition of retailers and industry trade associations in rulemaking and subsequent litigation defending the validity of a state regulatory rule implementing RCW 66.24.055(3)(c), which imposed specific fees on spirits distributors. The rule was upheld on direct review by the Thurston County Superior Court and the Washington Supreme Court.*
• Representation of the sponsors of a statewide Washington ballot initiative in Superior Court (Cowlitz County) and on expedited review before the Washington Supreme Court, successfully defending the constitutionality of an initiative privatizing liquor sales statewide.*

* The above matters were handled by Ms. Connelly prior to joining McGuireWoods LLP.