David B. Owsley II
David Owsley is a Member in the firm’s Business Litigation Service Group in Louisville. He practices complex and bet-the-company litigation in courts across the country, with subjects including intellectual property, commercial disputes, government investigations, product liability, international disputes, trusts and estates, antitrust, fiduciary duty, corporate governance, executive employment, legal ethics, professional liability, and constitutional law.
Title Agencies Did Not Violate RESPA Affiliated Business Rule
3rd Circ. Won't Revive $80M Fragrance Secrets Row
Victory for Tech21 as OtterBox ends patent dispute with protective case rival
Accepting the Dual Sovereignty Exception to Double Jeopardy: A Hard Case Study
State Restrictions on Undocumented Noncitizens: The Interplay of Equal Protection, Federal Preemption and Federal Exclusivity
Obtained summary judgment dismissing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s claims that a Louisville law firm paid “illegal kickbacks” in violation of RESPA. See Consumer Fin. Prot. Bureau v. Borders & Borders, PLC, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108384, 2017 WL 2989183 (W.D. KY July 12, 2017). This was the CFPB’s first loss at the trial court level, ending a six year investigation and a four year federal litigation. See "Kentucky Law Firm Beats CFPB's Kickback Claims," National Law Journal, July 14, 2017.
Won at the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with an opinion affirming a complete defense verdict in a trade secret case alleging $80 million in damages. See Givaudan Fragrances Corp. v. Krivda, 639 Fed. Appx. 840, 2016 U.S. App. LEXIS 2459 (3d Cir. N.J. Feb. 12, 2016); "3d Circ. Won't Revive $80M Fragrance Secrets Row," Law 360 (February 12, 2016).
Lead counsel for UK protective case manufacturer Tech21 defending against patent infringement claims filed by OtterBox at the United States International Trade Commission, In the Matter of Certain Protective Cases for Electronic Devices and Components Thereof, Investigation No. 337-TA-955. Obtained complete dismissal of the investigation. See "Victory for Tech21 as OtterBox ends patent dispute with protective case rival," MOBILE NEWS (September 15, 2015).
Conducts internal investigations, reports findings, and provides recommendations to clients relative to the risk of liability to an organization and/or its individuals.
Obtained a defense verdict for fragrance company Mane USA, Inc. after a five week jury trial in New Jersey federal court, dismissing claims that Mane misappropriated 600 trade secret fragrances from Swiss fragrance giant Givaudan, who sought $80 million in damages. See Fragrance Co. Loses $80M Trade Secrets Suit, Law360 (February 7, 2014) (“In a case that has been billed as the largest New Jersey has ever seen regarding misappropriation of trade secrets, the federal jury ruled James Krivda, Givaudan’s former vice president over its perfumery department, did not violate a confidentiality provision in his employment contract when he left the fragrance maker for competitor Mane USA in April 2008”). Before trial, Mane obtained summary judgment on the majority of the claims in a decision recognized as an important case for liability of subsequent employers. See Givaudan Fragrances Corp. v. Krivda, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 153437 (D.N.J. Civil Action No. 3:08-cv-04409, Oct. 25, 2013), reported in "Failure to Provide Specific Information On Alleged Misappropriations Fatal to Claims," Bloomberg, BNA Patent, Trademark & Copyright Journal (October 29, 2013).
Obtained a $40 million settlement for global flavor company V. Mane Fils (www.mane.com) in a lawsuit against a competitor for claims of patent infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and tortious interference. See NEW YORK TIMES, "IFF and Mane Announce Settlement of Mane’s Lawsuit Concerning Monomenthyl Succinate" (December 29, 2011); V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int'l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 249 F.R.D. 152 (D.N.J. 2008), reported in NEW JERSEY LAW JOURNAL, "Use of Attorneys' Letters To Woo Business Held to Waive Privilege" (March 5, 2008); V.Mane Fils S.A. v. Int'l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 38637 (D.N.J. Apr. 8, 2011); V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int'l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49578 (D.N.J. June 23, 2008); V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int'l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63619 (D.N.J. Aug. 19, 2008); V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int'l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82540 (D.N.J. Oct. 15, 2008); V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int'l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56462 (D.N.J. July 1, 2009); V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int'l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45645 (D.N.J. May 6, 2010)
Obtained defense judgment on behalf of a bank dismissing a $30 million claim for alleged investment mismanagement concerning the assets of a large multigenerational trust. Obtained affirmance on appeal. See Middleton v. PNC Bank, NA, 2014 Ky. App. Unpub. LEXIS 846, 1-2 (Ky. Ct. App. Oct. 31, 2014), discretionary review denied Middleton v. PNC Bank, N.A., 2015 Ky. LEXIS 1793 (Ky. Aug. 20, 2015).
Obtained a series of federal consent judgments for UK protective case manufacturer Tech21 enforcing intellectual property rights relating to trade dress, trademark, Lanham Act, and patent claims. See, e.g., Tech 21 UK Limited et al v. Spigen Inc., Case No. 15-cv-05059 (N.D. CA) (DE# 50, Consent Judgment); Tech 21 UK Limited et al v. Doria International, Inc., Case No. 5:16-cv-07144-BLF (N.D. CA) (DE# 17 Consent Judgment); Tech 21 UK Limited et al v. Rubicon Ventures LLC, Case No. 3:16-cv-07147-JST (N.D. CA) (DE# 17 Consent Judgment).
Obtained trial court and appeal opinions that a municipal ordinance was unconstitutional under the First Amendment and the doctrine of intergovernmental immunity. See "Audubon Park loses appeal in airport dispute," Courier-Journal (December 29, 2015).
Successfully represented a group of consumers and real estate brokers in a series of constitutional cases under the Dormant Commerce Clause invalidating “turf state” laws that restricted interstate brokerage and impaired the national market for commercial real estate. See GLOBE STREET, "Marcus & Millichap Wins 'Turf State' Lawsuit" (September 13, 2007) (“The entire industry is expected to benefit from the victory in a federal lawsuit challenging Kentucky’s law prohibiting cooperation with out-of-state brokers”); WALL STREET JOURNAL, "Turf Ruling & Dormant Commerce Clause Violators . . . Beware Kentucky!" (September 12, 2007); Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Inv. Brokerage Co. v. Skeeters, 395 F. Supp. 2d 541 (W.D.Ky. 2005); River Oaks Mgmt. v. Brown, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65286 (W.D. Ky. 2007); LexCin Ptnrs, Ltd. v. Newmark S. Region, LLC, 2009 Ky. App. Unpub. LEXIS 638 (Ky. Ct. App. July 31, 2009)
Successfully represented clients in corporate governance and complex contract disputes. Arco Aluminum, Inc. v. Novelis, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11636 (D. Ky. 2008).
Successfully defended a business against a putative environmental class action.
Successfully defended a manufacturer in an antitrust suit alleging unlawful price discrimination.
Frequently advise entities on antitrust compliance and competition issues.
Leadership Louisville, Class of 2016
Legal Aid Society, Volunteer Attorney
Washington University School of Law
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Executive Articles Editor, Wash. U. L.Q.
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Scholar at Law Scholarship; Appellate Clinic (assisted drafting amicus brief to United States Supreme Court in Tenn. Student Assistance Corp. v. Hood, 541 U.S. 440 (2004);
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International Public Interest Clinic Program, South Africa
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Honor Scholar Award
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Dean's List
University of Virginia
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McIntire Business Institute at the School of Commerce,
Foreign Study - University of Valencia, Spain
During the summer of 2002, Dave worked for a law clinic in South Africa. Before law school, Dave worked as a research assistant and for a dot-com startup. He also completed the McIntire Business Institute program at the University of Virginia School of Commerce.
Dave has volunteered for the Legal Aid Society in representing individuals and families in housing related issues and forcible detainer actions.
Dave enjoys travel and has backpacked extensively in countries in Africa, Central America, Asia, and Europe.
Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2018-24)
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Rising Star (2013-17)
Benchmark Litigation magazine, Future Star (2015-23)
Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under Hot List (2016, 2018)
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
FTC Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Ban Employee Non-Compete Agreements
In a move sending shockwaves through the business world, on January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) proposed a new rule that would ban employers from entering into non-compete agreements with their workers and invalidate existing non-compete agreements. The FTC will be accepting comments on the proposed rule for the next 60 days.
Benchmark Litigation 2023 Honors 15 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 12 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky. The guide honors the firms and attorneys who have demonstrated the ability to consistently handle complex, high-stakes cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 98 of its lawyers are included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Additionally, 11 Stites & Harbison attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 19 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Benchmark Litigation 2022 Honors 15 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2022 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 12 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 93 lawyers are included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Additionally, 11 attorneys are named as “Lawyer of the Year” and 14 attorneys are recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” which recognizes attorneys early in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 82 lawyers are included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Best Lawyers in America Honors 75 Stites & Harbison attorneys for 2020
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 has recognized 75 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as selected by their peers in 49 areas of practice. Forty-three of those attorneys selected have been honored for 10 consecutive years or more.