Jennifer S. Roach

Practices

• Antitrust, Competition & Distribution
• Business Litigation
• White-Collar Criminal / Internal Investigations

Professional Experience

Jen is a partner in the Competition, Antitrust & White-Collar Crime practice groups. She focuses her practice on litigating unfair competition, intellectual property, trade secret misappropriation, distribution and antitrust matters, and providing advice and guidance to clients concerning distribution, franchise, antitrust and unfair competition issues and the protection of intellectual property. Jen has trial experience in both federal and state courts, and has drafted numerous agreements related to product distribution in the United States and internationally.

She is admitted to practice in the state courts of Ohio, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth and Ninth Circuits.

Education

• Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 2001
• Duke University, A.B., 1997, cum laude

• Trade Secret Cases
  
  
• Obtained a directed verdict for a leading provider of early childhood products and furniture after a two-week trade secret misappropriation trial that was affirmed on appeal. Alice’s Home v. Childcraft Education Corp., 2010 Ohio App. LEXIS 3498 (10th Dist. Sept. 2, 2010).
• Represented a manufacturer of metal forgings for heavy-duty truck axles in an action alleging misappropriation by a competitor of trade secrets involving manufacturing processes.
• Received a favorable decision on a defense motion for summary judgment in a trade secret misappropriation claim involving manufacturing process design. Jedson Engineering, Inc. v. Spirit Construction Services, et al., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60642 (June 18, 2010 S.D. Ohio).
• Defense of a firearms dealer in litigation pending in federal court in North Carolina involving allegations of trade secret misappropriation and violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
• Ongoing representation of financial institutions, manufacturers and distributors in numerous trade secret misappropriation, tortious interference and non-competition cases.
  
  
• Copyright Infringement Cases
  
  
• Obtained summary judgment for a publicly traded provider of engineering, construction and technical services to government agencies and private sector companies around the world in a case involving allegations of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, unfair competition, tortious interference and breach of contract.
• After a three-week trial but prior to a jury verdict, secured a successful settlement for an engineering design company in a case involving the alleged copyright infringement of architectural plans for a tissue manufacturing plant and violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
• Successfully settled copyright infringement litigation brought on behalf of a residential home builder and architect.
• Obtained order excluding testimony of damages expert on reasonable royalty/hypothetical license.
  
  
• Antitrust and Dealer Termination Cases
  
  
• Obtained dismissal of counterclaims alleging price discrimination under the Robinson-Patman Act for a publicly traded distributor of thermoplastic resins.
• Defended a manufacturer of flooring compounds for commercial construction applications against counterclaims alleging secondary-line price discrimination under the Robinson-Patman Act.
• Represented a manufacturer of material handling equipment in a Minnesota action brought by a dealer involving allegations of breach of contract and violation of the Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law and the Minnesota Heavy and Utility Equipment Manufacturers and Dealers Act.
• Defended a manufacturer of material handling equipment in an action brought by a dealer for alleged violation of New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Maintainco, Inc. v. Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc., No. C-300-00 (Superior Ct., Chancery Div., Bergen City., N.J.).
  
  
• Other Matters
  
  
• Secured summary judgment in a breach of contract claim on behalf of a manufacturer of flooring compounds for commercial construction. Dayton Superior Corp. v. Spa Steel Prods., Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100674 (Sept. 23, 2010 N.D.N.Y.).
• Successfully defended a preliminary injunction motion on behalf of a defendant in Lanham Act false advertising litigation filed in New Jersey federal court. Decision affirmed on appeal to the Third Circuit.
• Representation of a financial institution in qui tam litigation pending in New Mexico.
• Conducted internal investigations on behalf of a variety of public and private entities.
• Defended a manufacturer of golf grips in a patent infringement lawsuit brought in California that included counterclaims for false advertising.
• Represented a global chemical manufacturer in a non-compete case involving a former employee living and working in Vietnam.
• On behalf of a pro bono client, briefed and argued an appeal to the Sixth Circuit, resulting in a published opinion concerning application of the United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897 (1984) good faith exception to the Fourth Amendment. United States v. Frazier, 423 F.3d 526 (6th Cir. 2005).
• Prosecuted attorneys on behalf of the Certified Grievance Committee of the Cleveland Bar Association, for violation of disciplinary rules and obtained an indefinite suspension and a six-month suspension in two different cases, one of which was argued before the Ohio Supreme Court.
  
  
• Advice on Distribution and Competition Matters
  
  
• Drafting and advising on the terms of dealer, distributor, sales representative and other product distribution or supply arrangements for clients engaged in the manufacture or supply of welding equipment, outdoor power equipment, high-pressure laminates, material handling equipment and medical products.
• Advising clients on the enforceability of noncompetition covenants in employment, franchising, distribution and asset purchase agreements, and drafting and advising on the terms of noncompetition covenants.
• Providing guidance to manufacturing clients on termination or appointment of dealers and distributors in the United States and internationally.
• Counseling clients on the protection of trade secrets and confidential information.

• "State Dealer Protection Statues Do Not Override Contractual Choice of Form," · American Bar Association, Antitrust Section Distribution and Franchising Committee Distribution Newsletter, January 2012
• Editor, Chapter VII Adjunct Claims and Defenses, The Franchise and Dealer Termination Handbook, Second Edition · American Bar Association, April 2011
• “SEC Wants The Scoop On Private Investment Advisers,” · Law360.com, December 2010
• “Clear Path for Stock Options Suits?,” · N.D. Ohio Federal Bar Association Newsletter, 2007

• “Keeping Clients Out of Trouble in Troubled Economic Times: How Antitrust Laws Apply to Business Strategies in an Economic Downturn – Vertical Restraints”, OSBA Annual Convention, Antitrust Section, May 14, 2009
• “Taking and Defending Effective Depositions in Ohio”, Independence, Ohio, April 2008
• “Motion Law: From Basic to Advanced Procedures”, Cleveland, Ohio, May 2006

• Selected as an Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyer magazine in 2010 - 2013
• YWCA Women of Professional Excellence, 2010