Christopher Tackett

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Overview

Chris is an experienced first-chair commercial litigation attorney focusing on business litigation involving unfair competition, intellectual property, and complex commercial contract disputes. At his core, Chris is a problem solver that takes pride in identifying and executing creative solutions to resolve complex issues. Chris frequently handles commercial litigation matters involving trade secrets and other types of intellectual property, unfair competition matters, disputes about non-competes and other restrictive covenants, as well as business breakups and all types of partnership/shareholder disputes. Also, Chris has significant expertise litigating class action cases and other types of procedurally complex litigation, including as lead counsel in the successful defense of a nationwide class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

In his active business litigation practice, Chris has represented companies in courts throughout the country, and in state and federal courts all across Ohio, as first-chair counsel in numerous hearings on preliminary injunctions, trials, and appellate oral arguments. Chris is a frequent writer and lecturer on topics relating to business torts and unfair competition, including many nationally published articles. Further, Chris serves as Vice Chair of Content and former Editor of the Business Torts & Unfair Competition Quarterly Journal for the ABA’s Litigation Section.

Practice Areas
Business LitigationLabor & Employment

Credentials

Education

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence: Ohio Northern University—Claude W. Pettit College of Law (2011)
    Bachelor of Arts: Ohio University (2008)

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Tax Court

Clerkships

  • Legal Extern to the Honorable Judge C. Kathryn Preston U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • Office of Region 9, United States Trustees Program Office of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee, Bruce C. French
  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Judge Mark S. O’Connor, Logan County Ohio Court of Common Pleas

Professional Highlights

Work Highlights

  • Representing a company that provides lightweight solutions to transportation industry in patent infringement matter against three competitors. Obtained emergency Court-ordered TRO to cease all manufacturing, advertising, and sale of the infringing product. Thereafter, handled 4-day injunction hearing and obtained preliminary injunction.
  • Represented innovative engineering business in litigation against departing engineer and obtained TRO and further injunction to return all data and punish the bad actor.
  • Handled complex business divorce case that we filed on behalf of an interest holder in a series of 23 manufacturing companies. Took the matter from filing to settlement in 3 ½ months after filing a Verified Complaint, Motion for TRO, quickly obtaining a TRO, and then a preliminary injunction.
  • Represented Fortune-50 medical benefits provider in bid protest litigation against state agency for an improper contract award of a $1.1Billion-Dollar, 5-year benefits contract for Ohio retirees. Obtained novel temporary restraining order to stay the contract award.
  • Defended insurance administrator in trade-secret litigation regarding rate-setting systems and copyright infringement claims with $25-Million damages allegations. Obtained denial of the plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction, following full-day injunction hearing and post-hearing briefing. Obtained total judgment against the competitor’s trade secret claim on summary judgment. Acted as first chair trial counsel on copyright claims and limited the plaintiff to $400k in total damages.
  • Defended mortgage banker facing allegations that he solicited former team members to join him after he resigned and took a position and allegations that he misappropriated trade secrets from his former employer. Obtained a voluntary dismissal with prejudice (without any cash settlement) after pursuing aggressive course of discovery that vindicated our clients and revealed the lack of any support for the plaintiff’s claims.
  • Representing group of closely held companies in litigation by former operations manager claiming right to share of all business holdings following his termination.
  • Defended insurance administration companies in New York-based nationwide class action case regarding alleged third-party TCPA violations. Obtained indefinite stay after convincing the Court through briefing and oral argument that collateral estoppel barred the class representative’s claims.
  • Represented IP holding company for sporting goods company with international reach, regarding patent and trademark infringement by unauthorized manufacturers and retailers of infringing products, and obtained judgment on the pleadings.
  • Defended Ohio company in federal litigation brought by a former employee alleging FMLA interference and retaliation, as well as novel claims of FMLA-by-estoppel, and obtained successful settlement on the eve trial.
  • Successfully defended insurance administrator in Chicago-based complex commercial contract litigation brought by multinational corporation and coalition of 13 R.V. dealer groups regarding consumer refund obligations and underwriting profit sharing on nationwide vehicle service contract sales. Obtained settlement at 20% of Plaintiffs’ demand after successful motions in limine leading up to trial.
  • Obtained temporary restraining order and permanent injunction on behalf of Ohio-based Fortune 500 manufacturing company to prevent armed and dangerous trespasser, who was a former contractor, from coming within one mile of the facility.
  • Successfully represented LLC members in highly contentious business breakup concerning a group of closely-held manufacturing and real estate businesses, in an instance with cross allegations of embezzlement and fraud. Obtained split-up of businesses and their assets, along with substantial cash settlement for minority interest holders.
  • Successfully represented Canadian taxpayer in U.S. Tax Court litigation regarding the Internal Revenue Service’s refusal to pay the taxpayer’s claimed refund of gambling jackpot withholdings under Form 1040-NR, and obtained $736,000 settlement for the full amount of the taxpayer’s claimed refund.
  • Defended claims seeking equitable interest in large-scale livestock business and prevailed after acting as first-chair counsel at trial.
  • Defended chiropractic practice against non-solicitation claims that the chiropractors’ prior practice filed, alleging approximately $1Million Dollars in damages. Obtained zero-dollar settlement after identifying misconduct by members of the former practice group and filing separate claims for breach of LLC member duties.
  • Represented dentist and their dental practice in defending litigation alleging non-compete and non-solicitation violations, and obtained early nominal settlement after conducting initial discovery and depositions.
  • Represented publicly traded bank in action arising from a participation loan to fund a botched construction project with $500 Million dollars of inputs and obtained successful settlement for full amount of the participating bank’s exposure on the loan.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • The FTC’s Rule Banning Noncompetes – The Ohio State Bar Association, Live Webcast, June 6, 2024
  • Business Divorce: How to split Up, Dispute Resolution, and Ethical Issues that Arise Pre-suit and Through the Litigation Process – Columbus Bar Association, Live Webcast, November 16, 2023
  • Cutting through the Noise: What Your Business Needs to Know About the FTC’s Proposed Rule to Ban Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide -Columbus Bar Association, Legal Connections feature, published in print edition of the Columbus Business First (February 17, 2023) (available at: legalconnections02172023.pdf  (cbalaw.org)
  • Five Tips for Protecting your Company’s Brand-Related IP from Unfair Competition – Columbus Bar Association, Legal Connections feature, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (July 1, 2022) (available at: 5 Tips for Protecting Your Company’s Brand-Related IP from Unfair Competition (cbalaw.org))
  • Why Do Non-Compete Agreements Get All the Press? – Journal of the American Bar Association’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee, Section of Litigation (Winter 2021 (Volume 29, Issue 1))
  • Overview on the Restrictive Covenants that Are More Important for Protecting Your Business Than Contentious Non-Competes – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Dec 10, 2021) (available at: Overview of Restrictive Covenants (cbalaw.org))
  • FTC Limits: Understanding Noncompete Agreements After President’s Executive Order – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Aug 26, 2021) (available at: https://www.cbalaw.org/Newsroom/Recent-News/View/ArticleId/10664/Overview-on-the-Restrictive-Covenants-that-are-More-Important-for-Protecting-Your-Business-than-Contentious-Non-Competes )
  • Lessons from COVID-Era Litigation at the Intersection of Price Gouging and Unfair Competition Relating to Medical Supplies – Journal of the American Bar Association’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee, Section of Litigation, (Spring 2021, Volume 28, Issue 3) (Mar 18, 2021)
  • Why Companies Must Ensure Their Non-Solicitation Agreements Are Fit for the Social Media Era – Journal of the American Bar Association’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee, Section of Litigation, (Fall 2020, Volume 28, Issue 1(S)ep 30, 2020)
  • Directors & Officers May Face Personal Liability in Subsequent Litigation for Actions Taken During Company Insolvency – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Sep 18, 2020)
  • The High Risks of Neglecting Fiduciary Duties in Start-Up Firms – American Bar Association Journal of the ABA’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee (Summer 2020, Volume 27, Issue 3) (Aug 3, 2020)
  • Rushed Transition to Work-from-Home Will Likely Lead to Increase in FLSA Wage-and-Hour Claims – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Jun 26, 2020)
  • Three Years into the Defend Trade Secrets Act, How Do Its Remedies Differ in Practice from the Uniform Act’s Remedies? – American Bar Association (ABA) Business Torts & Unfair Competition (Winter 2020)
  • Tips on Filing for Preliminary Injunction in Trade Secret Cases—Considerations when Seeking Emergency Injunctions – American Bar Association (ABA) Business Torts & Unfair Competition Practice Points (Sep 30, 2019)
  • “Legal Update: COVID-19’s Impact on Federal Employment Laws and Best Practices for How Employers Can Stay Compliant” – Roetzel Webinar (November 2020)
  • Legal Legos: An Overview of the Essential Building Blocks for Startups – Atlas Innovation Summit at the Gateway Film Center, Columbus, Ohio (September 2019)
  • Defending Ohio Sales Tax Audits: Strategies to Avoid the Indirect Mark-Up Percentage Audit, and to Attack the Mark-Up Audit on Appeal Committee (February 2017)
  • ABA’s Sound Advice Podcast: Introduction on Converting Arbitration Awards into Judgments and Competing Actions to Vacate Awards (Apr 6, 2020)

Professional Recognition

  • Named to 2023 Columbus CEO Top Lawyers List for Commercial Litigation
  • Selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation (2022); Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2022)
  • Selected as an “Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Star” 2022, 2023, 2024
  • Leadership Columbus, 2021 Graduate of Leadership Columbus Signature Program

Affiliations and Civic Involvement

  • Member, Ohio State Bar Association
  • Member, Columbus Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member of the Section of Litigation;
      • Committee Member and Vice-Chair of Content
      • Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee
  • Member, Human Resources Association of Central Ohio
      • Committee Member, Legislative Affairs Committee

Chris is an experienced first-chair commercial litigation attorney focusing on business litigation involving unfair competition, intellectual property, and complex commercial contract disputes. At his core, Chris is a problem solver that takes pride in identifying and executing creative solutions to resolve complex issues. Chris frequently handles commercial litigation matters involving trade secrets and other types of intellectual property, unfair competition matters, disputes about non-competes and other restrictive covenants, as well as business breakups and all types of partnership/shareholder disputes. Also, Chris has significant expertise litigating class action cases and other types of procedurally complex litigation, including as lead counsel in the successful defense of a nationwide class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

In his active business litigation practice, Chris has represented companies in courts throughout the country, and in state and federal courts all across Ohio, as first-chair counsel in numerous hearings on preliminary injunctions, trials, and appellate oral arguments. Chris is a frequent writer and lecturer on topics relating to business torts and unfair competition, including many nationally published articles. Further, Chris serves as Vice Chair of Content and former Editor of the Business Torts & Unfair Competition Quarterly Journal for the ABA’s Litigation Section.

Practice Areas
Business LitigationLabor & Employment

Education

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence: Ohio Northern University—Claude W. Pettit College of Law (2011)
    Bachelor of Arts: Ohio University (2008)

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Tax Court

Clerkships

  • Legal Extern to the Honorable Judge C. Kathryn Preston U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • Office of Region 9, United States Trustees Program Office of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee, Bruce C. French
  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Judge Mark S. O’Connor, Logan County Ohio Court of Common Pleas

Work Highlights

  • Representing a company that provides lightweight solutions to transportation industry in patent infringement matter against three competitors. Obtained emergency Court-ordered TRO to cease all manufacturing, advertising, and sale of the infringing product. Thereafter, handled 4-day injunction hearing and obtained preliminary injunction.
  • Represented innovative engineering business in litigation against departing engineer and obtained TRO and further injunction to return all data and punish the bad actor.
  • Handled complex business divorce case that we filed on behalf of an interest holder in a series of 23 manufacturing companies. Took the matter from filing to settlement in 3 ½ months after filing a Verified Complaint, Motion for TRO, quickly obtaining a TRO, and then a preliminary injunction.
  • Represented Fortune-50 medical benefits provider in bid protest litigation against state agency for an improper contract award of a $1.1Billion-Dollar, 5-year benefits contract for Ohio retirees. Obtained novel temporary restraining order to stay the contract award.
  • Defended insurance administrator in trade-secret litigation regarding rate-setting systems and copyright infringement claims with $25-Million damages allegations. Obtained denial of the plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction, following full-day injunction hearing and post-hearing briefing. Obtained total judgment against the competitor’s trade secret claim on summary judgment. Acted as first chair trial counsel on copyright claims and limited the plaintiff to $400k in total damages.
  • Defended mortgage banker facing allegations that he solicited former team members to join him after he resigned and took a position and allegations that he misappropriated trade secrets from his former employer. Obtained a voluntary dismissal with prejudice (without any cash settlement) after pursuing aggressive course of discovery that vindicated our clients and revealed the lack of any support for the plaintiff’s claims.
  • Representing group of closely held companies in litigation by former operations manager claiming right to share of all business holdings following his termination.
  • Defended insurance administration companies in New York-based nationwide class action case regarding alleged third-party TCPA violations. Obtained indefinite stay after convincing the Court through briefing and oral argument that collateral estoppel barred the class representative’s claims.
  • Represented IP holding company for sporting goods company with international reach, regarding patent and trademark infringement by unauthorized manufacturers and retailers of infringing products, and obtained judgment on the pleadings.
  • Defended Ohio company in federal litigation brought by a former employee alleging FMLA interference and retaliation, as well as novel claims of FMLA-by-estoppel, and obtained successful settlement on the eve trial.
  • Successfully defended insurance administrator in Chicago-based complex commercial contract litigation brought by multinational corporation and coalition of 13 R.V. dealer groups regarding consumer refund obligations and underwriting profit sharing on nationwide vehicle service contract sales. Obtained settlement at 20% of Plaintiffs’ demand after successful motions in limine leading up to trial.
  • Obtained temporary restraining order and permanent injunction on behalf of Ohio-based Fortune 500 manufacturing company to prevent armed and dangerous trespasser, who was a former contractor, from coming within one mile of the facility.
  • Successfully represented LLC members in highly contentious business breakup concerning a group of closely-held manufacturing and real estate businesses, in an instance with cross allegations of embezzlement and fraud. Obtained split-up of businesses and their assets, along with substantial cash settlement for minority interest holders.
  • Successfully represented Canadian taxpayer in U.S. Tax Court litigation regarding the Internal Revenue Service’s refusal to pay the taxpayer’s claimed refund of gambling jackpot withholdings under Form 1040-NR, and obtained $736,000 settlement for the full amount of the taxpayer’s claimed refund.
  • Defended claims seeking equitable interest in large-scale livestock business and prevailed after acting as first-chair counsel at trial.
  • Defended chiropractic practice against non-solicitation claims that the chiropractors’ prior practice filed, alleging approximately $1Million Dollars in damages. Obtained zero-dollar settlement after identifying misconduct by members of the former practice group and filing separate claims for breach of LLC member duties.
  • Represented dentist and their dental practice in defending litigation alleging non-compete and non-solicitation violations, and obtained early nominal settlement after conducting initial discovery and depositions.
  • Represented publicly traded bank in action arising from a participation loan to fund a botched construction project with $500 Million dollars of inputs and obtained successful settlement for full amount of the participating bank’s exposure on the loan.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • The FTC’s Rule Banning Noncompetes – The Ohio State Bar Association, Live Webcast, June 6, 2024
  • Business Divorce: How to split Up, Dispute Resolution, and Ethical Issues that Arise Pre-suit and Through the Litigation Process – Columbus Bar Association, Live Webcast, November 16, 2023
  • Cutting through the Noise: What Your Business Needs to Know About the FTC’s Proposed Rule to Ban Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide -Columbus Bar Association, Legal Connections feature, published in print edition of the Columbus Business First (February 17, 2023) (available at: legalconnections02172023.pdf  (cbalaw.org)
  • Five Tips for Protecting your Company’s Brand-Related IP from Unfair Competition – Columbus Bar Association, Legal Connections feature, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (July 1, 2022) (available at: 5 Tips for Protecting Your Company’s Brand-Related IP from Unfair Competition (cbalaw.org))
  • Why Do Non-Compete Agreements Get All the Press? – Journal of the American Bar Association’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee, Section of Litigation (Winter 2021 (Volume 29, Issue 1))
  • Overview on the Restrictive Covenants that Are More Important for Protecting Your Business Than Contentious Non-Competes – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Dec 10, 2021) (available at: Overview of Restrictive Covenants (cbalaw.org))
  • FTC Limits: Understanding Noncompete Agreements After President’s Executive Order – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Aug 26, 2021) (available at: https://www.cbalaw.org/Newsroom/Recent-News/View/ArticleId/10664/Overview-on-the-Restrictive-Covenants-that-are-More-Important-for-Protecting-Your-Business-than-Contentious-Non-Competes )
  • Lessons from COVID-Era Litigation at the Intersection of Price Gouging and Unfair Competition Relating to Medical Supplies – Journal of the American Bar Association’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee, Section of Litigation, (Spring 2021, Volume 28, Issue 3) (Mar 18, 2021)
  • Why Companies Must Ensure Their Non-Solicitation Agreements Are Fit for the Social Media Era – Journal of the American Bar Association’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee, Section of Litigation, (Fall 2020, Volume 28, Issue 1(S)ep 30, 2020)
  • Directors & Officers May Face Personal Liability in Subsequent Litigation for Actions Taken During Company Insolvency – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Sep 18, 2020)
  • The High Risks of Neglecting Fiduciary Duties in Start-Up Firms – American Bar Association Journal of the ABA’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee (Summer 2020, Volume 27, Issue 3) (Aug 3, 2020)
  • Rushed Transition to Work-from-Home Will Likely Lead to Increase in FLSA Wage-and-Hour Claims – Columbus Bar Association Legal Connections, published in print edition of Columbus Business First (Jun 26, 2020)
  • Three Years into the Defend Trade Secrets Act, How Do Its Remedies Differ in Practice from the Uniform Act’s Remedies? – American Bar Association (ABA) Business Torts & Unfair Competition (Winter 2020)
  • Tips on Filing for Preliminary Injunction in Trade Secret Cases—Considerations when Seeking Emergency Injunctions – American Bar Association (ABA) Business Torts & Unfair Competition Practice Points (Sep 30, 2019)
  • “Legal Update: COVID-19’s Impact on Federal Employment Laws and Best Practices for How Employers Can Stay Compliant” – Roetzel Webinar (November 2020)
  • Legal Legos: An Overview of the Essential Building Blocks for Startups – Atlas Innovation Summit at the Gateway Film Center, Columbus, Ohio (September 2019)
  • Defending Ohio Sales Tax Audits: Strategies to Avoid the Indirect Mark-Up Percentage Audit, and to Attack the Mark-Up Audit on Appeal Committee (February 2017)
  • ABA’s Sound Advice Podcast: Introduction on Converting Arbitration Awards into Judgments and Competing Actions to Vacate Awards (Apr 6, 2020)

Professional Recognition

  • Named to 2023 Columbus CEO Top Lawyers List for Commercial Litigation
  • Selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation (2022); Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2022)
  • Selected as an “Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Star” 2022, 2023, 2024
  • Leadership Columbus, 2021 Graduate of Leadership Columbus Signature Program

Affiliations and Civic Involvement

  • Member, Ohio State Bar Association
  • Member, Columbus Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member of the Section of Litigation;
      • Committee Member and Vice-Chair of Content
      • Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee
  • Member, Human Resources Association of Central Ohio
      • Committee Member, Legislative Affairs Committee

Cutting through the Noise: What Your Business Needs to Know About the FTC’s Proposed Rule to Ban Non-Compete Agreements

Kicking the New Year off with an unpopular bang, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a Proposed Rule in January 2023 that would broadly ban non-compete agreements between employers and their workers. (The proposed rule is available at: https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/federal-register-notices/non-compete-clause-rulemaking (issued... Read More

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