Where a lawsuit asserts at least one claim that is not “utterly baseless,” a plaintiff is immune from liability based solely on the pursuit of its lawsuit. Lowder v. Phillips, et al., 2020 NCBC 1 (J.McGuire). Because Plaintiff stated a claim for misappropriation of trade secrets (“MTS”), Defendant’s […]
As we raise a glass to say goodbye to 2019 and welcome 2020, we take a look back at some of the more significant opinions the Business Court published over the last twelve months (or so). These cases would be helpful for any company which does business in […]
Where a partner seeks to enforce his statutory right to inspect a foreign partnership’s records, the claim is one of those types that need not be brought in the partnership’s home jurisdiction. Albright v. Vining-Sparks Securities, Inc., et al., 2019 NCBC 80 (J.Gale). As a result, Plaintiff’s claim […]
Where an agreement provides that “any dispute… arising out of the agreement” would be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with “the Rules of the American Arbitration Association,” such language provides “clear and unmistakable evidence” of the parties’ agreement to delegate certain substantive issues—like the availability of class […]
Where a claim for unfair or deceptive trade practices pursuant to N.C.G.S. §75-1.1, et al. (“UDTP”) would be barred because a defendant qualifies under the statute’s “learned profession” exception, such exception is not applicable to a plaintiff’s common law claim of unfair competition against the same defendant. Southeast […]
Whether a president or other high-ranking officer of a business can be deposed will not be determined by the federal courts’ officer-friendly “Apex Doctrine,” but instead by the liberal discovery rules of N.C.R.C.P. 26 and the extent of the officer’s personal knowledge about the issues. Duke Energy Carolinas, […]
Where a business alleges that a former employee stole its confidential information and gave it to a competitor which then used it to compete, the business has no claim for unjust enrichment against the former employee or competitor. KNC Techs., LLC v. Tutton, et al., 2019 NCBC 71 […]
Where a business fails to allege that it was denied the opportunity to investigate certain representations or that it could not have learned the true facts about the representations through reasonable due diligence, its claim that it was fraudulently induced into entering into a contract based on those […]
Where an employee used his own computer to access his former employer’s computer network and take its confidential information, he might not be liable under North Carolina’s Computer Trespass law, N.C.G.S. §14-458. Encompass Services, PLLC v. Maser Consulting, P.A. and Hilsman, 2019 NCBC 66 (J. McGuire). Nonetheless, because […]
Where a business’ employment agreement with its officer contained both a time-limited non-compete and an indefinite non-disclosure provision, the non-disclosure provision can survive even if the non-compete is deemed unenforceable. NFH, Inc. v. Troutman, et al., 2019 NCBH 64 (J. Robinson). As a result, the business could maintain […]
Phil Mohr authors the North Carolina Business Court Report, crafting engaging posts discussing how recent decisions from the North Carolina Business Court impact companies doing business in North Carolina. He is a Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP.
North Carolina Business Court Report 