*Includes, in some cases, Mr. Ricardo's previous experience

• Obtained and/or defeated motions for TRO’s and preliminary injunctions seeking to enjoin former employees and their new employers from soliciting and accepting business from former customers and retaining, using, or disclosing trade secrets, and resolved such actions through mediated settlements, either following expedited or merits discovery (Mich., Wash., N.Y., N.J.).
• Lead counsel for the National Restaurant Association in a Constitutional and State law challenge to New York City Board of Health’s adoption of a first-of-its-kind law requiring chain restaurants to post sodium warning labels on menus.
• After a two-week bench trial, obtained multi-million dollar judgment for breach of contract on behalf of an industrial motor manufacturer, and defense verdict on counterclaims for fraud asserted by general contractor, in connection with multi-billion dollar public works project (D. Nev.).
• After two-week jury trial, obtained defense verdict on behalf of U.S. subsidiary of Turkish manufacturer in a lawsuit alleging multimillion dollar theft of trade secrets and unfair competition claims (S.D.N.Y.).
• Represented magazine publisher in $100 million breach of contract dispute with Rosie O’Donnell over the demise of Rosie magazine, which ended with two-week bench trial (Sup. Ct., New York Cnty.).
• Obtained arbitration award ($1 million – full amount of damages sought) for private company against insurance carrier that had denied duty to defend and coverage for legal fees under D&O policy (American Arbitration Assoc., N.Y.).
• Represented Chapter 11 Trustee in multiple litigations arising out of Ponzi scheme involving misappropriation of more than $140 million from real estate related entities, which resulted in settlement recoveries from banks, hard money lenders, insurance companies, law firms, and individuals exceeding $100 million (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
• Represented regional truck and trailer parts supplier against former branch managers and start-up competitor that conducted three raids of client’s key employees in three different branches; obtained settlement after defeating defendants’ motion to dismiss filed over two years after bringing suit (Bus. Div., Fulton Cnty., Georgia).
• Obtained dismissal at pleadings stage of lawsuit against principals of private equity firm who plaintiffs had sued for breach of contract and fraud arising from portfolio company’s franchise agreements, Dontos et al. v. Vendomation NZ Ltd. et al., 2012 WL 3702044 (Aug. 27, 2012 N.D. TX), aff’d in part, (5th Cir.).
• Obtained favorable settlement for Panasonic after successfully excluding plaintiff’s economics expert and obtaining summary judgment against plaintiff’s $5 million lost profits claim (Tex. Dist. Ct.).
• Obtained dismissal of action by competitor of leading German provider of mail system solutions, seeking turnover of computer source code used by our client in European markets (Bankr. D. Del.).
• Obtained mediated settlement for global sports apparel company after defeating licensee’s motion for summary judgment on liability for alleged breach of license agreement concerning launch of new product line. (American Arbitration Assoc., N.Y.).
• Obtained dismissal at pleadings stage of action against a global insurance broker in which former customer alleged breach of contract, fraud and fiduciary duty claims (Ct. of Common Pleas, Philadelphia Cnty., PA).
• On the morning of trial, obtained multimillion dollar settlement on behalf of the debtor in fraudulent conveyance action against bank (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.).
• Defended global advertising agency against corporate customer’s RICO, fraud, and related claims arising from an engagement to provide advertising placement creative services and advice for which the agency was paid commission on over $20 million dollars of billings for media placement and production (S.D.N.Y.).
• Defended company and its investors against breach of contract and tort claims arising from alleged violation of Asset Purchase Agreement’s earn-out provision (Del.).
• Defended company and its CEO against action by private equity firm investor seeking to declare that efforts to automatically convert preferred stock to common stock would, absent investor’s consent, violate purported veto right in company’s certificate of incorporation. After extensive motion practice and numerous depositions, the parties settled through a stock purchase and settlement agreement (S.D. Ohio).
• On behalf of prominent New York City non-profit, conducted internal investigation concerning governance issues and financial expenditures.
• Defended national accounting firm in action commenced by competitor alleging that the firm had engaged in tortious interference, unlawful conspiracy, and misappropriation of trade secrets through hiring numerous consulting professionals from competitor, which resolved through mediated settlement (Florida).