Attorney David Arthur Skeels's Legal Cases

Patent infringement

Lighting Ballast Control LLC v. Philips Elecs. N. Am. Corp. et al., 814 F. Supp. 2d 665 (N.D. Tex. 2011)

Aug 26, 2011

OUTCOME: After 7-0 jury verdict, district court entered $4.6M+ judgment against defendant ULT. Judgment affirmed by Federal Circuit Court of Appeals (790 F.3d 1329) after victory at U.S. Supreme Court (135 S. Ct. 1173). Judgment paid in full on 03.25.16.

Successfully represented plaintiff Lighting Ballast in patent infringement suit against multiple manufacturers of electronic lighting ballasts, including GE, Philips, and Universal Lighting Technologie ... s (ULT is a Panasonic subsidiary ). Served as trial counsel and examined key witnesses; was active in appeals at all levels.

Oil and gas

Vinson Minerals, Ltd. v. XTO Energy, Inc., 335 S.W.3d 344 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth 2010)

Dec 16, 2010

OUTCOME: Trial court granted Defendant XTO's Motion for Summary Judgment. Judgment was affirmed on appeal by the Fort Worth Court of Appeals.

Successfully represented defendant XTO Energy, Inc. in oil and gas lease dispute. XTO secured mandamus relief after trial court erroneously ordered production of XTO trade secrets related to data and p ... rojections about XTO's subsurface gas reserves (248 S.W.3d 898). Trial court later granted summary judgment in XTO's favor.

Insurance

Fowler v. Golden Rule Insurance Company (N.D. Tex. 2010)

Aug 20, 2010

OUTCOME: Confidential settlement reached shortly before trial.

Represented plaintiff -- a minor -- as lead counsel in action against defendant insurance company for various causes of action, including bad faith insurance practices and violations of the Texas Decep ... tive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

Appeals

Onoh v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., 613 F.3d 596 (5th Cir. 2010)

Aug 02, 2010

OUTCOME: District court granted summary judgment in favor of defendant Northwest Airlines, holding that plaintiff's state law claims were preempted by the Airline Deregulation Act. Judgment in favor of defendant/appellee Northwest Airlines was affirmed on appeal.

Successfully represented defendant Northwest Airlines -- in district court and on appeal -- against Nigerian diplomat, who alleged discrimination, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emot ... ional distress after she was denied boarding privileges. Secured summary judgment from district court and presented successful oral argument to U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Consumer protection

Brown v. GHS Metro NY, Inc. d/b/a Gloria Nilson/GMAC Realty et al. (Superior Court of N.J., Mercer County, 2008)

Mar 25, 2008

OUTCOME: After 2-week jury trial in NJ state court (Docket No. MER-L-001211-06), jury voted 8-0 to award plaintiffs entire amount of damages requested; parties reached post-trial settlement agreement.

Represented plaintiff homeowners as lead trial counsel against defendant GMAC -- a realtor -- and other defendants in action for violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

Intellectual property

Sanchez v. General Electrodynamics Corp. (153rd District Court, Tarrant County, TX 2006)

Dec 01, 2006

OUTCOME: Jury awarded to plaintiff $1.37 million -- more than plaintiff requested. (Note: defendant filed for bankruptcy after trial; plaintiff recovered only a fraction of final judgment).

Represented plaintiff at trial in suit for defamation, conversion, and theft of trade secrets.

David Arthur Skeels's Legal Cases (16)