J. Douglas Baldridge
Partner
Barred in seven jurisdictions and admitted to two dozen courts, Doug is ready to fight on behalf of his clients virtually anywhere. Additionally, his decades spent trying complex and diverse cases to verdict give him a unique perspective in the courtroom and an understanding of how juries and judges think. This insight provides him with trusted strategies that position clients to achieve desired outcomes. He has had a great deal of success handling major antitrust cases, including a victory on behalf of a client in the first test of what limits may be placed on reverse payment antitrust deals.
Doug has broad industry experience as both a trial attorney and trusted advisor who helped run a major business operation. He has advised on everything from cybersecurity to human resources, aviation to accounting, and more. Doug is also widely recognized for his handling of legal and business issues in matters involving intellectual property, false advertising, unfair competition, and celebrity and "talent" rights.
Experience
Experience
Representative Matters
Antitrust Litigation
- As lead trial counsel, team prevailed on summary judgment in an action brought by multiple classes and opt-out plaintiffs involving allegations that defendants engaged in a conspiracy to restrict the supply of broiler chickens (In re Broiler Antitrust Litigation)
- As lead trial counsel, defending Perdue in several class actions alleging conspiracies to restrict supply and increase prices in the turkey industry (In re Turkey Litigation)
- As lead trial counsel, defended a client against multi-billion-dollar class action (MDL) antitrust "reverse payments" claims. Obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict after a seven-week trial in the first "reverse payment" antitrust trial after the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in FTC v. Actavis (In Re Nexium (Esomeprazole) Antitrust Litigation)
- As lead trial counsel, defended a client against claims under the Sherman Act, arising from an alleged "reverse payment" settlement of patent litigation in the District of Massachusetts. Obtained a highly favorable settlement with end payors, including insurers and consumers, during a complex multi-week jury trial (In re Solodyn Antitrust Litigation)
- As lead trial counsel, defended a client against class action and individual claims under the Sherman Act, arising from alleged "reverse payment" settlement of patent litigation in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Obtained a highly favorable settlement with retailer and competitor plaintiffs, following a complex four-week jury trial. Defeated certification of the putative direct purchaser class (In Re Modafinil Antitrust Litigation)
- Defended a Fortune 10 consumer products company against claims under the Sherman Act, culminating in a three-month jury trial involving retail marketing, category management, rebates, and exclusive dealing
- Defended a Fortune 20 beverage manufacturer against claims under the Sherman Act and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), arising from termination of a dealership, culminating in a five-month jury trial
- Defended submersible turbine petroleum pump manufacturers against a Department of Justice (DOJ) Clayton Act Section 7 merger challenge. Contributed to "the fix," which involves the licensing of critical patents or technologies by the merged entity to market competitors, resulting in a positive competitive impact (United States v. Franklin Electric Company)
- Defended a coal producer merger candidate against a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Clayton Act Section 7 merger challenge, defeating the FTC, and resulting in consummation of the merger (Arch Coal, Inc. v. Federal Trade Commission)
Entertainment and Talent Representation
- Represented Taylor Swift in a landmark, high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit, adverse to an on-air radio personality, resulting in a jury verdict for Ms. Swift on all claims and defenses (Mueller v. Swift)
- Defended trademark infringement and dilution claims on behalf of Taylor Swift (Blue Sphere v. Taylor Swift)
- Prosecuted rights of publicity and privacy claims on behalf of an internationally recognized professional athlete (Eldrick "Tiger" Woods, Elin Nordegren Woods, & Privacy, Ltd. v. Christensen Shipyards, Ltd. & Carol Williamson & Associates)
- Prosecuted libel claims in the Irish High Court on behalf of an international celebrity (Elin Nordegren Woods v. Dubliner Media, Ltd.)
- Defended, as lead trial counsel for actor Corbin Bernsen, against claims of violation of a morality clause in an endorsement contract (Corbin Bernsen v. Innovative Legal Marketing, LLC)
False Advertising and Consumer Protection
- Defended, as lead trial counsel on behalf of online advertisers and commercial bulk emailers, against actions brought under state "SPAM" and consumer protection statutes, resulting in a unanimous jury verdict on all claims after a three-week trial
- Defended a vitamin supplement company against FTC false advertising and contempt proceedings (FTC v. Garden of Life)
- Represented a major financial services company in an FTC investigation and related claims, arising from an alleged data security breach
- Represented a major financial services company in an FTC investigation and related claims alleging "aiding and facilitating" liability under the FTC Act, resulting in closure of the FTC investigation
- Defended a consumer products company in six class actions involving false advertising and unfair competition
Intellectual Property
- Defended against trademark infringement and dilution claims on behalf of an internationally recognized singer-songwriter, musician, and actress (Blue Sphere v. Taylor Swift)
- Defended against patent infringement claims involving a method patent for compressing and downloading audio and visual data (Global Patent Holdings LLC v. The Boca Raton Resort & Club)
- Defended Mobil Oil in a patent infringement case involving numerous chemical patents, claiming metallocene catalysts for fabrication of plastics
- Defended Tenneco in a patent infringement case involving a mechanical patent, claiming latching mechanism for plastic containers
- Defended an international publisher against claims of trademark infringement, false advertising, and unfair competition (Modell v. duPont Publishing, Inc.)
- Defended an international publisher against claims under the Copyright Act, involving rights to artwork used on magazine covers (duPont International v. Lajos)
Real Estate and Commercial
- Represented the District of Columbia in all litigation related to the acquisition of land for Nationals Park, the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball stadium (District of Columbia v. 521,025 Square Feet of Land In the District of Columbia)
- Represented a pension fund in the liquidation of a $500 million commercial real estate portfolio, involving all aspects of liquidation, and complex business and bankruptcy issues (Potomac Equity Portfolio L.P.)
- Served as general counsel for duPont Publishing, which distributes magazines under the duPont Registry brand in the United States and 54 other countries
Shareholder Disputes and Securities
- Represented plaintiff-shareholders in an energy cogeneration company, in multiple arbitrations and court proceedings arising from diversion of company assets, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract (In Re Powersmith)
- Represented plaintiff-shareholder in a start-up energy conversion company, in securities fraud litigation under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act (Frank Carlucci v. Envion)
- Defended a member of the board of directors against class action claims under Section 11 of the Securities Exchange Act (In Re Wilmington Trust Securities Litigation)
- Represented defendant-shareholders and the board of directors in a Voice-Over-Internet communications company, in an action arising from diversion of corporate opportunities, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty
Insights
Insights
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- J.D. cum laude George Washington University Law School 1987
- B.A. magna cum laude Florida State University 1984
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Union Board Recipient for Outstanding Leader
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Maryland
- New York
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Adjunct professor, American University School of Law, Trial Practice and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Entertainment Law, and Commercial Representation of Talent.
- Instructor, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
- Board member, Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs
Recognition
Recognition
Recognized by a number of publications, including the National Law Journal, Law360, and Global Competition Review, as an “elite” trial lawyer and competition law “MVP.”
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2019 – 2021
- National Law Journal
- Winning Litigators, 2015, 2017
- Trailblazer, Litigation, 2017
- Trailblazer, Mergers and Acquisitions, Antitrust, 2015
- Elite Trial Lawyers, 2015
- Strategies of Winning Trial Lawyers, 2015
- Law360
- Legal Lions, August 17 and 31, 2017
- MVP, Antitrust, 2015
- Am Law Litigation Daily, Litigator of the Week, 2017
- Global Competition Review, Global Litigator of the Week, December 10, 2014
- Super Lawyers, Washington, DC, 2016 – 2023
- Chambers USA, Recognized Practitioner, Litigation: General Commercial, 2014 – 2015
- Smart CEO Magazine, Washington’s Legal Elite, 2011
- Washington Business Journal, Finalist, Top Washington Lawyer, Corporate Litigation, 2006
- American Association of People with Disabilities, “Justice for All” Voting Rights Project Award, 2004
Community
Community
Pro Bono
- Prosecuted claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), forcing the purchase and implementation of ADA-accessible voting technology, resulting in a multi-week trial and landmark ADA decision (American Assoc. of People With Disabilities v. Duval County Florida Supervisor of Elections)