REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Tara C. Sullivan
Commercial Litigation and Disputes
Successfully represented a national geotechnical engineering firm in case against former employees for breach of fiduciary duty in connection with their departure from the firm to a competitor.
Successfully defended a defense contracting firm in a defamation lawsuit brought by a former employee in connection with the denial of his state unemployment benefits. Our motion to dismiss the claim was promptly met with the concession of a voluntary dismissal by plaintiff’s counsel.
Successfully defended equipment manufacturer against tortious interference and indemnity claims brought by construction contractor.
Negotiated favorable settlement in complex class action litigation involving allegations of improper charging of fees attendant to the provision of services.
Represented manufacturer in evaluation of potential cessation of product line and impact on supplier and distributor agreements.
Defended hospital system in putative class action alleging that hospital failed to submit medical bills to private insurance and instead billed directly to patient when patient identified as likely to receive a recovery from a third party for injuries.
Represented manufacturer in commercial dispute regarding nonconforming parts.
Successfully defended transportation company against third-party claims related to former employee's on-the-job accident resulting in personal injuries.
Represented manufacturer in commercial dispute regarding late delivery of certain parts.
Represented staffing company with termination of staffing arrangement and related transition for two large distribution centers in South Carolina.
Real Estate Litigation
Successfully represented real estate developer in condemnation action by the State of South Carolina to contest the amount offered as compensation for the condemned property, resulting in a payment significantly higher than the State’s original offer.
Represented manufacturer in litigation over alleged construction defects.
Successfully represented real estate developer against claims brought by seller of property for breach of contract, specific performance, and constructive trust related to dispute over developer's ongoing obligations to seller.
Successfully represented commercial landlord in litigation with former tenant after tenant wrongfully vacated leased premises prior to lease expiration.
Represented debtor in possession in adversary proceeding involving an anchor tenant's breach of commercial lease. The adversary was settled resulting in the resolution of all claims in bankruptcy and the attendant adversary proceedings, actually yielding a return to equity holders following satisfaction of all creditors.
Successfully represented seller of real estate in a dispute over escrow funds after purchaser improperly refused to proceed with closing.
Represented lenders in consumer and commercial foreclosure litigation as set forth in more detail in the Financial Services Litigation section below
Financial Services Litigation
Successfully defended financial services company after writ of certiorari was granted in a contested foreclosure to review the trial court's dismissal of borrower's foreclosure defenses and counterclaim.
Defended financial services companies in cases involving allegations regarding premature repossession of foreclosed property.
Obtained summary judgment for financial services company in breach of contract action involving allegations of improper refusal to allow a short sale.
Represented waste company with respect to customers defaulting in their payments pursuant to service agreement.
Representation of finance corporation with respect to domestication of foreign judgments and collection efforts for same.
Representation of various timeshare entities in foreclosure litigation against timeshare owners for non-payment.
Successfully represented agricultural lender in complex foreclosure of multiple tracts of farmland.
Represented company with analysis of South Carolina's supervised lending license requirements.
Represented lenders in consumer and commercial collection and foreclosure litigation, including defending borrowers’ claims such as Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, RESPA, TILA, various state consumer protection laws, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, Unfair Trade Practices Act, negligent misrepresentation, unauthorized practice of law, and fraud.
Successfully represented financial institution in securities fraud arbitration in connection with issuance of subordinated debt.
Products Liability Litigation
Represent equipment manufacturers, retailers, and premises liability defendants in repetitive toxic and mass tort claims.
Successfully defended equipment manufacturer against claims for personal injury caused by allegedly faulty equipment, obtaining an early dismissal of all claims for no payment.
Successfully represented recreational boat manufacturer in case alleging design defect.
Automotive Litigation
Successfully defended automotive manufacturer in action brought by former dealer based on price discrimination allegations related to alleged failure to equalize concessions among dealers.
Successfully defended automotive manufacturer against claims based on alleged design and manufacturing defects in diesel engines.
Represented motor vehicle manufacturers in disputes and litigation arising from the manufacturer-dealer relationship, including dealer add-point, relocation, and termination protests/litigation, as well as warranty fraud litigation.
