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Services Available
Manufacturing
Fulbright & Jaworski provides transactional legal services critical to the daily operations of manufacturing plants, as well as new business agreements and structures. For example, our attorneys are experienced in:
- Formation of U.S. and international joint ventures
- Distribution arrangements
- Technology transfer and related intellectual property matters
- Contract research/joint development agreements
- Supply agreements for newly developed technology
- Contract manufacturing agreements for proprietary or patented technology
Additional services. We also assist with regulatory reporting and compliance, as well as in general corporate matters, venture capital start-ups and technology spin-offs from institutions.
Product Liability
The Fulbright & Jaworski Product Liability Practice Group has handled numerous cases for the automotive and heavy truck and equipment industries in state and federal courts.
Automotive work. Fulbright attorneys have defended clients against a wide range of claims. The issues have involved virtually every component and aspect of vehicles, such as:
- Air bags
- Crash worthiness
- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
- Post-crash fires
- Rollovers
- Seats
- Seat belts
- Steering columns
- Vehicle handling allegations
Component/system focus. Some of our attorneys focus on certain areas such as claims of injuries and fatalities resulting from air bag systems.
Truck and heavy equipment experience. Fulbright attorneys have extensive experience in the defense of manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and truck tractors, as well as medium- and heavy-duty rubber tired and tracked mobile equipment, such as construction, farm and material handling equipment.
This work has also included the defense of the manufacturers of components used on trucks and heavy equipment such as rubber tires, seats and electrical components.
International cases. Fulbright has handled a wide range of products liability suits brought in the U.S. by Mexican, Venezuelan and Chilean citizens, including representing a tire and vehicle testing facility in cases involving sports utility vehicles and tires and claims of wrongful death and injury.
Medical causation. Fulbright attorneys have become particularly adept at dealing with expert witnesses and the various issues typically present in these cases. This is a critical area of contention where experience is essential.
Litigation
Proven litigators. Fulbright & Jaworski is consistently ranked among the top litigation firms in the United States. Our trial practice represents U.S. and international clients in virtually every area of the law.
In the area of product liability, for example, our attorneys have defended manufacturers, distributors and sellers in litigation involving products ranging from automobiles to construction equipment, hand tools, aircraft, oilfield equipment and seatbelts.
Manufacturer/dealer disputes. The following case is an example of our work in the area of automotive manufacturer/dealer disputes:
- Represented one of the largest automotive companies in the U.S. in two lawsuits and one arbitration proceeding arising out of the termination of a car dealership in Houston. The amount in controversy was in excess of several million dollars. The allegations included breach of dealership agreement, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and other typical claims. Plaintiff claimed that the automotive company's representations induced the plaintiff to acquire the dealership and thereafter suffer monetary loss. All the claims were settled favorably.
Environmental law: among the best. Attorneys in the Fulbright & Jaworski Environmental Law & Toxic Tort Litigation Group are recognized among the nation's leading practitioners in defending toxic tort claims. Fulbright was ranked one of the 10 best firms in the U.S. for environmental law in an International Corporate Law survey.
We have represented major energy, chemical and industrial companies, as well as chemical manufacturers groups, in various personal injury and property damage toxic tort matters.
Arbitration/ADR
Fulbright & Jaworski has built a highly ranked arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice in the domestic and international arenas. Our consistent ranking among the top litigation firms in the United States is an indication of the strong skills that Fulbright brings to dispute resolution.
Numerous industries and issues. We have dealt with issues such as technology licensing, plant construction and valuation, energy supply agreements and a broad range of service and manufacturing agreements.
Worldwide arbitral institution experience. Fulbright attorneys have practiced in virtually all U.S. and international institutions that administer arbitrations and ADR. In fact, we were instrumental in organizing several of them. In addition to representing clients in proceedings, Fulbright attorneys are often asked to serve as arbitrators in disputes throughout the world.
Automotive: Intellectual Property
Fulbright & Jaworski has one of the largest intellectual property practices in the country, with approximately 130 professionals focusing on all aspects of IP. We provide:
- Patent and trademark law and appeals
- Patent infringement litigation and arbitration
- Licensing
- Copyrights
- Trade secrets protection
- In-house patent programs
- IP strategy coordination worldwide
Automotive: Franchise distribution
Fulbright & Jaworski's Franchise and Distribution Practice Group has a wealth of experience in all phases of franchise and distribution operations.
Our clients include national and international franchise and distribution operations ranging from major automotive companies to bakeries to electronics distributors.
We have represented them in a wide range of matters, from class actions to trademark infringement, marketing/distribution and franchisee disputes.
Comprehensive services. Fulbright provides services, such as:
- Structuring franchise programs, offering documents and registration applications
- Counseling on disclosure requirements
- Preparing trademark, franchise, agency and management service agreements
- Protecting trade secret and intellectual property rights
- Operational transactions with franchisees, dealers
- Bankruptcies, workouts and reorganizations
- Representing franchisors as creditors in franchisee bankruptcies
Antitrust prevention. Fulbright has a long history of helping clients structure distribution systems, marketing programs and licensing arrangements with suppliers, dealers, agent/brokers, customers and others with whom they work.
Our focus is on helping clients achieve their business goals while limiting exposure to claims such as:
- Price discrimination
- Resale price maintenance
- Discriminatory allowances
- Tying and bundling products
- Exclusive dealing
- Territorial and customer limitations
- Refusals to deal
International law. More than 110 Fulbright attorneys on three continents counsel clients on international law, U.S. and multilateral regulations and trade matters, such as:
- Administrative law of foreign states
- Anti-boycott controls
- Contract negotiation and documentation
- Contract challenges
- Currency controls
- Customs (import/export matters)
- Economic sanctions
- Export controls
- Foreign contracting procedures
- Foreign investment laws
- International bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors' rights
- International equipment finance
- Workouts and loan restructurings
Technology-minded team. Many of our attorneys have undergraduate or advanced degrees in fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, math and physics. Technical understanding: it's another strong advantage Fulbright offers to automotive clients.
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