William Wright, Jr.: Representative Works
Energy Contract Dispute - Arbitration
Mr. Wright successfully defended a top oil and gas company in connection with a contractual dispute arising out of an Operating Agreement with a utility company. Under the Agreement, the utility operates a power plant which provides energy to the client's refinery. The utility was seeking an increase in the annual fee for operating the power plant. After a two and one-half day hearing in 2008, an arbitration panel accepted Mr. Wright's position, saving his client more than $800,000 per year.
Legal Malpractice
Mr. Wright and Ms. Meade were successful in obtaining a summary judgment in favor of their client, a Florida law firm, who was sued by its former client in an adversary proceeding in Federal Bankruptcy Court in New Orleans. Plaintiff had hired the law firm to represent her interests in connection with a Business Services Agreement with two companies after those companies had filed for bankruptcy protection in the Eastern District of Louisiana in March 2006. In May 2007, the firm's client, on behalf of Plaintiff, filed an adversary proceeding against one of the companies alleging, inter alia, breach of contract. In January 2008, Plaintiff filed a Third Party Demand against its former counsel asserting that its advice caused her to incur substantial damages with regard to her violation of certain Bankruptcy Court orders. Mr. Wright and Ms. Meade filed a Motion for Summary Judgment contending that at all times the firm properly advised Plaintiff of her duties and obligations under the Bankruptcy Court Order. The Judge agreed, granting summary judgment in favor of the firm, and dismissing the Third Party Complaint.
In re OCA, Inc.
Actuary Liability
Mr. Wright and Ms. Meade handled this actuary liability case where all claims, totaling $51 million in alleged damages, were dismissed after a four-day trial. Their client, an actuarial firm, was accused of breach of duty in regard to the management of a pension plan with $400 million in assets. The Plaintiff maintained that the actuary should have advised more conservative investments because the investors were maturing and should have advised not to implement additional benefits to the plan because they were too expensive. Wright and Meade successfully countered that the actuary did not have a duty to advise more conservative investments and had adequately advised as to the issue of benefits.
After obtaining a favorable verdict in March 2007, Mr. Wright and Ms. Meade successfully defeated an appeal to the Fifth Circuit. On appeal, Plaintiffs-Appellants argued that the lower court erred procedurally when it dismissed Defendants' Rule 52(c) motion, and granted in favor of Plaintiffs, before Defendants' argued their case in chief. Plaintiffs further argued that the lower court failed to conduct a proper comparative fault analysis under Louisiana law, and thus, Defendants should have been assigned some degree of fault. Briefs were submitted in the Fall of 2007. On March 4, 2008, Bill Wright conducted oral argument before the court. On May 6, 2008, the Fifth Circuit affirmed finding that both of Plaintiff-Appellants' arguments on appeal failed.
N.O.E.I.L.A. Pension Fund vs. G.R.S.
Energy Contract Dispute
Mr. Wright successfully defended a top oil and gas company in connection with a contractual dispute arising out of an Operating Agreement with a utility company. Under the Agreement, the utility operates a power plant which provides energy to the client's refinery. The utility was seeking a 260% increase in the annual overhead costs paid under the agreement (from $785,000 to more than $2 million). The dispute resulted in a two-day arbitration hearing conducted in April 2006. After the submission of post-hearing briefs, the arbitrator decided the matter in favor of Mr. Wright's client.
Attorney Liability
Mr. Wright obtained dismissal of a claim against an attorney for lack of causation.
Turner v. Johnson, 860 So.2d 244 (La. App. 5th Cir. 2003).
Professional Liability
Mr. Wright handled this case where coverage was denied under a professional liability policy.
Meredith v. Federation of Teachers, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2000 U.S. Appeal Lexis, 6635, April 11, 2000.
Insurance Coverage
Mr. Wright handled this case denying coverage for a claim made and reported subsequent to the expiration of a claims-made policy.
Lloyd v. Ichinose, Supreme Court of Louisiana, 1999 La. Lexis 2232, September 8, 1999.
Accountant Liability
Mr. Wright obtained a decision upholding the dismissal of a malpractice claim against attorneys.
Harrison v. Guenther, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fifth Circuit, 726 So.2d 508, La. App. Lexis 152, January 26, 1999.
Attorney Liability
Mr. Wright obtained dismissal of an attorney claim.
Academy Mortgage v. Juarez, 740 So.2d 708 (La. App. 5th Cir. 1999).
Attorney Liability
Mr. Wright obtained a decision strictly construing the statutes of limitations for claims against attorneys.
Reeder v. North, Supreme Court of Louisiana, 701 So.2d 1291, 1997 La. Lexis 2873, October 21, 1997.
Attorney Liability
Mr. Wright handled this appeal upholding the dismissal of a third-party claim against an attorney.
Ulmer v. Frisard, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fifth Circuit, 694 So.2d 1046, 1997, La. App. Lexis 1194, April 29, 1997.
D&O Liability
Mr. Wright obtained dismissal of this claim against a director/officer and his D&O carrier.
Grimaldi Construction, Inc. v. Robinson, USDC ED La., 1997 U.S. Dist. Lexis, 5674, April 18, 1997.
Auditor Liability
Mr. Wright handled this appeal upholding the dismissal of a claim against an auditor based upon the statute of limitations.
Walle Corp. v. Hibernia National Bank, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fifth Circuit, 692 So.2d, 1238; 1997 La. App. Lexis 604, March 25, 1997.
Auditor Liability
Mr. Wright obtained dismissal of a malpractice claim against an auditor on the basis of Louisiana's statutes of limitations.
Short v. Giffin, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit, 682 So.2d 249; 1996 La. App. Lexis 1629, August 21, 1996.
RICO Claim
Mr. Wright obtained dismissal of RICO claims against a financial institution which was alleged to be vicariously libel for fraudulent activities of its loan officer.
First National Bank of Louisville v. Lustig, USDC ED La., 727 F.Supp.276, 1989.
