Judd A. Serotta is a member of the commercial litigation group. Mr. Serotta has nearly 15 years of experience successfully litigating complex commercial disputes in a variety of areas through trial and beyond, in a host of different federal and state jurisdictions throughout the United States, as well as through alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
Mr. Serotta is regularly quoted by the media as a commentator on the roles of our state and federal courts.
Mr. Serotta is also a widely published writer. He has recently published articles on various legal issues in the Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Executive Counsel, the Legal Times, and the Legal Intelligencer. He has been quoted for legal commentary and analysis in the New York Times, National Law Journal, the [Philadelphia] Bulletin, LawyersUSA, and elsewhere. In addition, Mr. Serotta has been a guest commentator on legal issues on It's Your Call-With Lynn Doyle, a current affairs program on Comcast's cable network.
Mr. Serotta also serves as a certified arbitrator in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas' compulsory arbitration program, where he has adjudicated a wide variety of matters.
Representative Matters
· Drafted and argued appeals in matter involving claims of $95.5 million (plus interest) on behalf of publicly-traded branding company and its Chief Executive Officer. Unzipped Apparel, LLC, et al. v. Sweet Sportswear, LLC, 2010 WL 2677441 (Cal. App. 2 Dist., July 7, 2010); Sweet Sportswear, LLC v. Cole, 2010 WL 2674801 (Cal. App. 2 Dist., July 7, 2010). Court award in favor of client of $65 million. In execution proceedings, settlement accepted, for client recovery of $49.7 million (including debts forgiven).
· Member of trial and litigation teams in hotly contested litigation and three-month jury trial awarding $43.8 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages involving claims and counterclaims for breach of contract, fiduciary duty, trademark infringement, and conversion, on behalf of publicly-traded branding company; subsequent $8.31 million fee and cost award. In execution proceedings, settlement accepted, for client recovery of $49.7 million (including debts forgiven).
· Represented French businessman in successful settlement of fraud, forgery, fiduciary, and other claims brought by French businessman against wealthy California resident.
· Represented publicly-traded branding company in successful resolution of claims against chief salesman accused of diverting business to competing company.
· Obtained dismissal of claims brought against Jamaican resort in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, based on lack of personal jurisdiction.
· Obtained dismissal of claims brought in Florida against Pennsylvania individuals and corporate entity in the sports nutrition industry based on lack of personal jurisdiction.
· Represented publicly-traded defense contractor in negotiation of successful white collar defense of criminal prosecution.
· Represented large, publicly-traded insurance company in mediation of coverage claims against company's own errors and omissions carrier, obtaining $4.45 million settlement, which client recovered in full.
· Participated in trial on behalf of publicly-traded defense contractor who obtained $2.3 million verdict against seller of acquired company (no recovery to date because matter still pending following appeal upholding these amounts and permitting damages trial on additional amounts).
· Represented whistleblower who obtained large settlement under Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) in New Jersey following criminal conviction of superior.
· Represented seller of safe and locking systems company in dispute with purchaser, obtaining a settlement and recovery on behalf of client to resolve arbitration.
· Represented small pharmaceutical company in dispute with seller of company, and following filing of arbitration demand, the client obtained a $1.16 million settlement through a reduction of amounts owed.
· Obtained $220k arbitration award against owners of marathon, on behalf of publicly-traded traffic control vendor (client has recovered $165k to date.)
Community Service & Affiliations
Mr. Serotta has served as the President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies since 2003. He was recently reappointed to a second two-year term on the New Jersey Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. He is also an executive officer of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, and sings tenor in Choral Arts Philadelphia, a 40-voice early music ensemble. He serves as the pro bono general counsel of the Cherry-K Vaad Hakashruth, which certifies kosher eating establishments in Southern New Jersey.
Memberships
Federalist Society
Events
THE RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY IN CIVIL CASES
[Event]
"It's Your Call, with Lynn Doyle," Comcast Network (CN8)
March 28, 2006
Judd A. Serotta
Publications
IN SOME DEALS, CHOICE OF LAW COULD MATTER A LOT
[Article]
Executive Counsel Magazine
March 1, 2010
Judd A. Serotta
MONEY FOR NOTHING
[Article]
Legal Times
June 2, 2008
George J. Krueger and Judd A. Serotta
ACTIVIST JUDGES, NOT WILL OF THE MAJORITY, ARE REDEFINING RIGHTS
[Article]
Philadelphia Inquirer
December 15, 2006
Judd A. Serotta
SIGNING STATEMENT USEFUL, NOT ILLEGAL
[Article]
The Philadelphia Inquirer
January 20, 2006
Judd A. Serotta
Expires 2/08/06
CLASS ACTION REFORM AND THE PROBLEM OF CIVIL JUDICIAL CONFISCATION
[Article]
The Legal Intelligencer
March 10, 2005
Judd A. Serotta and George J. Krueger
News
JUDD SEROTTA JOINS THE LOUIS D. BRANDEIS CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER LAW
[Press Release]
March 12, 2012
Judd A. Serotta
U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS APPOINTS NEW JERSEY STATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
[Press Release]
September 27, 2010
Judd A. Serotta
DOES THE JUDICIAL BRANCH ABUSE ITS POWER?
[Media Coverage]
July 16, 2008
Judd A. Serotta
JUDD A. SEROTTA APPOINTED TO THE NEW JERSEY STATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
[Press Release]
March 27, 2008
Judd A. Serotta
LOS ANGELES' TOP PLAINTIFF'S VERDICTS OF 2007: $50 MILLION VERDICT FOR ICONIX BRAND GROUP'S UNZIPPED APPAREL
[Press Release]
January 8, 2008
James T. Smith, Brian S. Paszamant and Judd A. Serotta
BLANK ROME ELECTS 13 NEW PARTNERS TO THE FIRM
[Press Release]
January 1, 2008
Sheila E. Branyan, Michael C. Graziano, Daniel J. Ivler, C. Vincent Leon-Guerrero, Stephen P. McSweeney, David M. Perry, et al.
CY PRES FOR UNCLAIMED MONEY: IS IT THE WAY TO GO?
[Media Coverage]
October 22, 2007
George J. Krueger and Judd A. Serotta
BLANK ROME REPRESENTS VICTORIOUS BRAND OWNER IN BONGO JEANS LAWSUIT
[Media Coverage]
June 4, 2007
James T. Smith, Brian S. Paszamant, Judd A. Serotta, Rebecca D. Ward and Mary Ann Mullaney
JURY ORDERS JEANS MAKER TO PAY $50 MILLION TO APPAREL FIRM
[Media Coverage]
April 18, 2007
James T. Smith, Brian S. Paszamant and Judd A. Serotta
Cases and Deals
BLANK ROME WINS $50 MILLION VERDICT FOR ICONIX BRAND GROUP
[Case]
April 18, 2007
James T. Smith, Brian S. Paszamant, Judd A. Serotta, Rebecca D. Ward and Mary Ann Mullaney
Company is awarded approximately $50 million in damages.
Recognition
JUDD SEROTTA JOINS LEGAL ADVISORY BOARD OF LOUIS D. BRANDEIS CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER LAW
[Honor]
February 2012
Judd A. Serotta
BLANK ROME SECURES SPOT ON VERDICTSEARCH TOP 100 VERDICTS OF 2007
[Ranking]
April 21, 2008
James T. Smith, Brian S. Paszamant and Judd A. Serotta