In a 1925 address to the American Society of Newspaper Editors, President Calvin Coolidge noted that "the chief business of the American people is business." President Coolidge's words ring as true today as they did 80 years ago, but to many corporations today, the chief business of the American people seems to be suing big business. In today's fast-paced business environment, corporations large and small are beset by costly litigation that threatens to drive down stock prices and even bankrupt companies.

In such situations, having the most experienced lawyers is critical. Lightfoot, Franklin & White's business litigation practice is the firm's largest practice area, and our lawyers regularly defend major fraud, antitrust, lender liability, contract disputes and corporate takeover litigation in federal and state courts. Our expertise includes the following:

• Consumer-fraud class actions
• Claims under the Sherman and Clayton Acts
• Franchise litigation
• Director and officer claims
• Deceptive trade practice claims
• Dealer act cases
• Financial services litigation
• Construction litigation
• Intellectual property litigation
• Professional malpractice litigation
• Emergency litigation and temporary restraining orders
• RICO claims

Adversaries appreciate our lawyers' courtroom expertise, and as a result are more willing to resolve cases on a reasonable basis. If appropriate resolution is not achievable, our clients have the great benefit of our lawyers' unmatched jury trial experience and courtroom capabilities. Recent cases handled by our lawyers include:

• Representation of a Big Three automaker in a nationwide class action based on allegedly misleading window stickers. The plaintiffs' request for class certification was defeated at both the trial and appellate levels, and summary judgment was obtained on the plaintiffs' individual claims.
• Representation of a leading U.S.-based international insurance and financial services organization in a class action alleging concealment of insurance coverage during a previous fairness hearing approving a class-action settlement of securities litigation.
• Representation of an international accounting firm in a nationwide class action brought on behalf of a company's retirement plan participants. When the trial court granted class certification, an interlocutory appeal was taken, and the appeals court reversed and rendered judgment for our client.
• Representation of a major power corporation in a dispute and resulting arbitration arising out of a joint venture for the construction and development of three gas-fired power plants in California during that state's energy crisis.
• Defense of a Top 50 U.S. bank in a breach of fiduciary duty claim against its trust department.
• Representation of several private companies in derivative claims accusing management of breach of fiduciary duties or mniority shareholder oppression.