Gary Santella chairs the Litigation Group at Masuda Funai, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation. He represents clients in a broad scope of litigation and alternative dispute resolution matters, including construction, foreclosures, repossessions, breach of warranty, intellectual property litigation, dealer disputes and breach of contract cases. Mr. Santella has engaged in jury trials, bench trials and other contested hearings, arbitrations, and mediations in numerous courts and venues throughout the United States. He also represents creditors in bankruptcy cases. Mr. Santella also provides commercial business counseling, and he represents clients in the preparation and negotiation of sales, purchase, distribution and other contracts.
Mr. Santella represents clients in a wide variety of industries, including machine tool, industrial hose, automotive supply, industrial bearing and printing press.
After a three-day non-binding summary jury trial in Madison, Wisconsin, together with co-counsel, secured a jury "verdict" in favor of the client, a printing press supplier. The case involved claims and counter-claims for millions of dollars for alleged breach of contract in connection with payment for, and performance of, a large piece of industrial equipment. As a result of the non-binding summary jury trial verdict, we satisfactorily settled all claims without expense of further litigation.
After a mediation session in Columbus, Ohio, and without a lawsuit being filed, satisfactorily settled claims totaling several million dollars asserted against client, an automotive supplier, in connection with a construction contract.
Represented a supplier of industrial hose products in an Indiana state court case. The plaintiff asserted numerous claims against our client, seeking declaratory relief and millions of dollars in damages in connection with the purchase of a business. After a mediation session in Indianapolis, Indiana, satisfactorily settled the case.
Defended a supplier of bearings in Federal Court in a patent infringement suit brought by a Fortune 500 company seeking millions of dollars in damages and injunctive relief. Successfully defended case, along with co-defendant, with client not subject to any liability whatsoever, whether for damages or injunctive relief. Furthermore, successful in having co-defendant pay all of client's attorneys' fees incurred in defending the case.
Drafted brochures and terms and conditions of sale for numerous commercial clients.