James P. Feeney

Perry vs Kia (2021) Lead trial counsel in 12-week jury trial for defendant automobile company sued for damages by a seriously brain-injured young female passenger in a two-car accident. Plaintiff asserted that safety system design defects caused her brain injuries, destroyed a promising music career and left a 21-year-old passenger unemployable and in need of lifetime custodial care. Plaintiff sought $104 million in total damages.

Stroud et al v. Kia et al. (2020) Lead trial counsel in 17-day jury trial for defendant automobile manufacturer sued for damages involving a single car accident. Plaintiffs sought $87 million in damages, asserting that pre-accident electronic faults in the transmission control module caused the power steering assist to fail and malfunction leading to a loss of control and crash. The crash caused the death of the 73-year-old driver and her 54-year-old daughter, and paralysis of her 6-year-old grandson. The car had been rented for the weekend, and the rental car company settled shortly before trial.

Favorable Respondent Ruling in 5-Day Arbitration (March 2018) Lead counsel for respondent in 5-day arbitration hearing asserting breach of express and implied agreements arising out of the operation and administration of a joint venture. The three-member arbitration panel issued written opinion ruling in favor of respondent on all claims.

Daniel, et al. v. Ford Motor Company, USDC Lead trial counsel in obtaining defense verdict in 3-week jury trial of a class action on behalf of California purchasers of various model year Ford Focus. Claims asserted were based on theories of breach of express warranty, implied warranty and violations of the CLRA. Trial court had initially refused to certify a class and had dismissed the remaining individual claims. The 9th Circuit reversed, ordered certification, and case proceeded to trial. Factual allegations asserted that alleged design defects in rear suspension geometry caused premature, uneven and excessive tire wear which raised safety concerns.

Oom v. The Michaels Companies, Inc. et al. Class allegations stricken in putative nationwide class action involving alleged deficiencies in provision of custom framing services.

Lomax v. Ford Motor Co Salt Lake City, UT Lead trial counsel in obtaining defense verdict in 3-week jury trial for defendant automobile manufacture sued for damages for catastrophic burn injuries to 6-year-old girl arising out of a rear impact involving a popular passenger car. The plaintiff asserted claims of negligence and strict liability involving the car’s fuel and vapor management system.

Westgate Ford Truck Sales, on Behalf of Itself and a Class of Ford Medium and Heavy Duty truck dealers vs. Ford Motor Company Lead trial counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer sued in a nationwide class action for $2.2 billion in damages, including interest, resulting from an alleged breach of contract caused by defendant’s failure to sell company products at published prices. The first trial (firm not involved) resulted in a $2 billion judgment, reversed on appeal. The retrial resulted in a jury verdict finding no breach.

Barbie Nolte v. Ford Motor Company Lead trial counsel in obtaining a defense verdict for an automobile manufacturer sued for injuries to plaintiffs resulting from a post-collision fire alleged to be the result of a defectively designed Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

Linert v. Ford Motor Company Lead trial counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer sued for catastrophic thermal injuries to police officer due to an allegedly defective designed and manufactured police vehicle. Defense verdict.

In the matter of Tam-Air, TAM and Williams International Lead trial counsel for claimant in commercial arbitration involving multimillion dollar claims of breach of contract and fraud arising out of sale of jet engines to a Georgian airframe manufacturer. Awaiting award.

Weinstein et al v. Siemens PLM, f/k/a UGS, Inc. Lead trial counsel for employer defendant sued for $30 million for three deaths on theories of vicarious liability and direct negligence arising out of a midday automobile accident caused by defendant's executive who left work one hour before accident and was alleged to be four times the legal limit at the time of the accident. Defense verdict.

Godbee et al v. KIA Motors of America et al Lead trial counsel for defendant automobile manufacturer sued for wrongful death of female driver due to an alleged overly aggressive air bag. Defense verdict.

Brown, et al v. Quicken Loans, October 2009 Lead trial counsel for lender in consumer finance, fraud, Consumer Protection Act claims alleging predatory lending practices. Case submitted, awaiting opinion.

Chrysler v. Hutchinson FTS Lead trial counsel for automaker awarded $47.3 million jury verdict against Tier 1 supplier in warranty cost recovery action. Case settled without appeal.

Konstantinov v. Findlay Ford Lead trial counsel for defendant auto dealer sued for $200 million for permanent brain/physical injuries by former professional hockey player and trainer for injuries occurring in automobile accident. Defense verdict, no appeal.

Polowsky v. General Motors Lead trial counsel for automaker sued for damages arising out of the death of plaintiff in a post-collision fire, product liability case. Defense verdict, no appeal.

William v. Visteon Lead trial counsel for automobile manufacturer in warranty cost recovery action seeking recovery for warranty and recall costs from Tier 1 supplier. Confidential settlement reached during deliberations.

Alexander, et al v. KIA Motors America, Inc. Lead trial counsel for defendant in consumer class action alleging defective seat belt design. Defense verdict.

Newton Nolte v. Ford Lead trial counsel for automobile manufacturer sued for damages arising out of a one fatality, one injury post-collision fire in high speed rear impact of police vehicle. Defense verdict.

Jablonski v. Ford Lead trial counsel for automobile manufacturer sued for damages arising out of a one fatality, one injury post-collision fire in a high speed rear impact of a civilian vehicle. Plaintiff's verdict reversed on appeal. Judgment entered for Ford.

St. Clair County, City of Centerville, et al v. Ford Lead trial counsel for automobile manufacturer in consumer class action on behalf of Illinois local units of government alleging defects in police vehicles. Defense verdict.