Rusciano assists Valassis in $300 million victory against News America

Plunkett Cooney, the Law Offices of David Mendelson and Miller Canfield recently collaborated as plaintiff’s counsel on behalf of Valassis Communications to obtain the largest jury award in Wayne County Circuit Court history, a $300 million verdict in the company’s high-profile lawsuit against News America Marketing (NAM).

On July 23, 2009, a Wayne County Circuit Court jury awarded Livonia, Michigan-based Valassis, one of the nation's leading marketing and media services companies, $300 million in compensatory damages against NAM, which is a part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.

The Honorable Michael F. Sapala presided over the nearly two month trial in which Valassis claimed unfair competition and tortious interference by NAM. The jury found NAM liable for both counts.

"It was a great privilege to represent Valassis, which is an award winning corporation comprised of men and women of depth and integrity," said Anthony J. Rusciano, Chairman of the Board of Plunkett Cooney. "It was also a personal honor to work on this case with a number of outstanding professionals.”

The Valassis legal team also included attorneys David S. Mendelson and from Miller Canfield, Gregory L. Curtner, Michael Palizzi and Kimberly L. Scott. The attorneys were assisted by an extensive litigation support team, which included Plunkett Cooney Paralegal Deanna McDermott and the firm’s Litigation Support Manager Beth Niepokuj.

Additional Valassis lawsuits are still pending, but not yet scheduled for trial. These include a case against NAM in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, which asserts violations of the Sherman Act, and another proceeding involving California’s Cartwright, Unfair Competition and Unfair Practices Act, which is pending in the Supreme Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney employs more than 150 attorneys in nine Michigan cities, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms and has received several awards naming the firm a top place to work in the legal industry.

For more information about Plunkett Cooney’s involvement in the $300 million Valassis victory over NAM, contact the firm’s Practice Development Manager John Cornwell at (248) 901-4008.

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