Lawyer Bio : Jason C. Hicks

Jason Hicks is a member of the Firm's Antitrust, Distribution and Franchise Law Practice Group. Jason has experience litigating cases and counseling clients in a wide variety of matters involving federal and state antitrust laws, franchise and dealer protection statutes, unfair and deceptive trade practices, advertising laws and regulations, industry-specific trade regulations, contract disputes, business torts, and constitutional law. Jason's practice focuses on helping clients efficiently and effectively move their products through various levels of distribution by developing strategies to avoid potential problems, complying with applicable laws and regulations, and litigating disputes that arise along the way.

Hicks is the author of the Womble Carlyle Antitrust and Distribution Law Blog.

Representative Cases
Elliott v. APAC, Inc., (Va. Circuit Court 2009). Successfully defended construction company in personal injury action in Carroll County, Virginia. The jury returned a verdict that was 6% of what plaintiff requested and less than the amount of special damages even though defendant admitted liability.

Black Millwork Co. v. Andersen Corp., (D.N.J. 2008). Represented window manufacturer in case brought under New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Successfully defended plaintiff's attempts to obtain temporary restraining order prohibiting termination of plaintiff's distributorship.

JGR v. Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc. (6th Cir. 2008). Successfully overturned $6.83 million jury verdict based on breach of contract claim brought by disgruntled furniture retailer. The Sixth Circuit reversed the damages award and ordered the dismissal of all claims based on lost profits.

Muhler v. Silver Line Building Products Corp. (D.S.C. 2008). Represented window manufacturer in false advertising action under Lanham Act and South Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Static Control Components v. Lexmark Int'l (E.D. Ky. 2007). Represented printer manufacturer in a complex patent and antitrust case that resulted in a 6 week jury trial. Involved issues of antitrust standing, market definition, anticompetitive effects, and aftermarkets. Successfully won dismissal of antitrust claims brought by certain plaintiffs for lack of standing and achieved favorable settlement during trial for the remaining antitrust plaintiffs.

In re R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (2006). Won administrative appeal before USDA regarding the amount of assessments under tobacco growers buyout program. The appeal resulted in a $12.4 million refund for the client and new administrative rules that resulted in even larger savings in subsequent years. Case Study available at: http://www.wcsr.com/default1ce2.html?id=668&bioID=89&objId=16

Remington Arms Company, Inc. v. Heritage Graphics, LLC (N.C. Ct. App. 2006). Successfully defeated attempts by defendant to compel arbitration in a declaratory judgment action based on breach of purchasing agreement.

J. Wagers Design Group, Inc. v. Laneventure, Inc. (N.C. Cir. Ct. 2005). Represented interior design company in breach of contract action brought by terminated supplier/designer.

Gonzales v. DaimlerChrysler Motors Co., LLC (N.C. Cir. Ct. 2006). Successfully defended automobile manufacturer in breach of contract action. Court granted motion to compel arbitration and stay litigation.