Antelope Oil Tool and Manufacturing – Complex Commercial Case
Forum brought a complex commercial case alleging breach of a non-compete agreement, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of confidentiality agreements as well as aiding and abetting such actions. MehaffyWeber represented Antelope, a defendant, and another company, Wearsox, LP (which was alleged to be a co-conspirator). Antelope was alleged to have hired Musselwhite and Romero, encouraged them to breach their agreements with Forum and misappropriate Forum’s trade secrets. Forum sought up to $25,000,000 in damages from Antelope during the trial but asked the jury for $9,000,000 in actual and punitive damages during trial. Prior to trial, the Court invalidated as a matter of law the non-compete agreement. After a nearly six week trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendants finding that there were no breach of confidentiality, no breach of fiduciary duty violation of trade secrets. The jury also made a determination which allowed recovery of attorney’s fees.