Litigation

Since its inception, Fellers, Snider, Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens has garnered a national reputation for the quality of its litigation practice. Two of the Firm's attorneys have been elected Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and one to the International Society of Barristers. The Firm has concentrated the majority of its practice in all facets of commercial litigation on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. Our attorneys try cases before courts throughout the United States. The Firm's litigation practice primarily involves complex commercial and business litigation but also includes personal injury and other tort and property damage litigation. The Firm also represents both individuals and corporations in a variety of criminal proceedings at all levels of the criminal process, from investigations by government agencies and grand juries to jury trials and appellate proceedings. In addition, the Firm is well equipped to represent its clients before federal and state administrative agencies.

The Firm's achievements in its litigation practice include the following cases of note:

• Representation of a group of investors in a securities fraud action under Texas securities law resulting in a jury verdict for plaintiffs which with prejudgment interest exceeded $12 million. The plaintiffs received a significant settlement prior to a ruling on post-trial motions.

• Defense of criminal charges lodged against an officer of the well-known Penn Square Bank, who was the subject of separate criminal indictments in both the Western District of Oklahoma and the Northern District of Illinois. Although he was subjected to lengthy jury trials in two federal district courts, neither jury convicted that individual of any criminal offense. The criminal action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois was described by The Wall Street Journal as "perhaps the biggest bank fraud trial ever."

• An action for fraud against the now defunct First National Bank of Oklahoma City resulting in a verdict in favor of plaintiff in the amount of $2.7 million, and for cancellation of debt in excess of $6.25 million allegedly owned by the plaintiff.

• Defense of officers and directors of a failed bank on claims by the FDIC for alleged negligent and insufficient loan documentation resulting in a verdict for defendants. This is reportedly the only zero verdict ever obtained by defendants in such litigation brought by the FDIC.

• Representation of an oil and gas company and its principals in an action for tortious interference with the business relations of plaintiffs relating to a gas gathering system in Oklahoma against a major oil and gas company resulting in a jury verdict in favor of plaintiffs for $30 million in punitive damages.

• An action for breach of implied contract/detrimental reliance against a major oil company resulting in a jury verdict and equitable relief of over $4 million.

We also have an active appellate practice. Our lawyers have presented oral arguments in scores of cases in appellate courts around the country, including the Supreme Court of the United States.