Luke Connelly
Partner
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Luke is a commercial litigator, trial lawyer, and senior member of the firm’s renowned Product Liability & Mass Tort Practice. Named a Law360 “Legal Lion” and “Super Lawyer,” Luke represents pharmaceutical and consumer products companies in product liability, mass tort, and consumer protection litigation. He regularly practices all phases of litigation in state and federal courts across the country, including MDLs and state court consolidations, as well as before agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice and state Attorney General’s Offices. Following a recent trial victory, a federal judge described Luke’s trial work as “exemplary” and ruled that Luke’s client should be reimbursed “wholly and completely” for his fees.
Key Matters
Products Liability/Consumer Protection/Mass Torts
- Successfully defended an inquiry by FTC into alleged deceptive trade practices in electronic vehicle industry.
- Defending International healthcare company in product liability MDL and state court consolidations alleging personal injuries.
- Served as co-lead counsel for an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in a product liability MDL and liaison counsel in related state court consolidated proceedings alleging compulsive behaviors as an injury.
- Successfully resolved NY GBL 349/350 actions against consumer products company in New York courts.
- Successfully defended an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in product liability actions alleging tardive dyskinesia from psychiatric medication.
- Successfully defended an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in product liability actions alleging juvenile diabetes from antipsychotic medication.
- Obtained defense verdicts in numerous jury trials against a major cigarette manufacturer asserting fraud and product liability claims in New York state and federal courts.
- Successfully resolved asbestos exposure claims against chemical company in New York state court.
- Obtained dismissal of over 200 individual fraud and product liability actions against a major cigarette manufacturer in New York state and federal courts.
- Successfully resolved consumer fraud and product liability claims against smokeless tobacco manufacturer.
- Obtained dismissal of toxic tort claims against a real estate investment firm asserting liability for asbestos exposure.
- Defended a large pharmaceutical company against product liability and deceptive trade practice claims in a nationwide mass tort litigation.
- Successfully defended a major automobile manufacturer against a consumer fraud class action alleging defects in safety systems.
- Defended a major dairy company against consumer fraud class action alleging deceptive labeling.
- Obtained affirmance of dismissal of a consumer fraud action by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Successfully defended a credit card issuer in a consumer antitrust class action alleging conspiracy to include arbitration clauses in credit card agreements in the S.D.N.Y.
- Obtained dismissal of an action alleging deceptive trade practices under NY GBL 349 in connection with standard homeowner's insurance policy against one of the nation’s largest insurance companies.
- Obtained dismissal of a consumer class action in favor of arbitration on behalf of a cell phone service provider.
- Obtained dismissal of a class action against national insurance company alleging violations of New York trade practices.
Financial/Securities/Commercial Litigation
- Prevailed at trial in fraud and breach of contract action, obtaining judgment for damages, profits interest unit award, and attorney’s fees in federal court.
- Obtained dismissal of antitrust action against private equity firm in action alleging anti-competitive conspiracy in the market for portable fuel containers in federal court.
- Successfully resolved unjust enrichment claim on behalf of aerospace companies for internation sales of aircraft parts.
- Successfully obtained representation and warranty insurance coverage for breach claims arising out of purchase of financial services business.
- Obtained dismissal of breach of representation and warranty claims against a national bank arising out of commercial mortgage securitization.
- Obtained permanent stay of financial advisor's arbitration against buyer in private-equity-sponsored asset purchase transaction.
- Successfully resolved False Claims Act action against healthcare company in Illinois federal court.
- Obtained dismissal of repurchase claims against national bank in action arising out of sale of portfolio of mortgage loans.
- Successfully defended hedge funds in US$300 million fraud action arising out of cross-border acquisition.
- Obtained dismissal for a bank holding corporation and its senior executives in a securities fraud class action alleging rule 10b-5 and section 20 claims based on allegedly undisclosed litigation risk.
- Served as defense liaison counsel in an MDL for a securities and fraud action arising out of collapse of futures broker.
- Successfully defended an auditor in a fraud action arising out of the collapse of a futures broker and affiliates brought by liquidators of a hedge fund of funds and an investment manager.
- Obtained dismissal of bondholders’ tortious interference with contract claims against an investment bank arising out of restructuring of US$130 million of municipal bonds.
- Successfully resolved an action against investment bank seeking repurchase of US$32M commercial real estate loan, alleging breaches of representations and warranties in connection with pool of commercial mortgage-backed securities.
- Obtained dismissal of rule 10b-5 claims against an outside auditor in a securities fraud class action in connection with the failure of real estate development company.
- Obtained dismissal of a contract-based action against real estate finance firm arising out of the sale of US$25M mortgage and foreclosure rights.
- Successfully defended a large investment bank in an action alleging breaches of representations and warranties in connection with the securitization of US$1B commercial mortgage-backed securities loan pool.
Media/Trademark/E-Commerce Litigation
- Obtained judgment in AAA arbitration for e-commerce company against fulfillment service provider for breach of contract and refund of section 321 fees.
- Obtained dismissal in favor of arbitration on behalf of e-commerce company in breach of contract action.
- Obtained summary judgement for a trademark owner dismissing an action for fraud and breach of a merchandise license agreement in D. Mass.
- Successfully defended a trademark owner from infringement claims based on the promotion and broadcast of a television series.
- Obtained a TRO and permanent injunction on behalf of a trademark owner against an infringer for the unauthorized sale of trademarked apparel and accessories in the S.D.N.Y.
- Obtained a dismissal of breach of license agreement claims seeking US$50M in connection with a merchandising license agreement for trademarked goods.
- Successfully resolved claims by an international media company against a financial services firm for the unauthorized use of subscription service.
- Obtained an injunction for a magazine and web publisher in an action based on infringement and dilution of the magazine’s trademark.
- Obtained dismissal of defamation claims brought against a blogger for allegedly libelous posts on investment information blog.
- Successfully asserted a reporter’s privilege in response to subpoenas to media companies.
Pro Bono/Civil Rights
- Prosecuted actions under 28 USC § 1983 on behalf of prisoners against correction officers for excessive force and other civil rights violations in federal court.
- Successfully resolved civil rights claims on behalf of prisoners for excessive force and negligence.
- Prosecuted actions for first amendment violations, including free speech and religious liberty.