Mr. Jackson represents defendants in class action and other complex litigation in state and federal courts. His practive has included representation of insurance companies in purported nationwide Class actions and strategic management of opt-out litigation from nationwide insurance sales practices class actions. His representation of insurance companies has extended beyond the borders of Alabama to include Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and New Jersey. Outside of the insurance context, he has represented companies in purported statewide and nationwide consumer class actions filed in Alabama, as well as opt-out litigation in Alabama from nationwide and multi-state class action settlements. Mr. Jackson has also represented broker-dealers in arbitrations filed by customers. In addition to these areas of concentration, he has also handled general commercial litigation, product liability and personal injury cases. Representative Cases: Summary judgment in a purported nationwide class action alleging the defendant insurance company charged smoker rates to juveniles. In a declaratory judgment action for rescission of a $7 million life insurance policy, summary judgment for the insurance company plaintiff on the insured's counterclaim for breech of contract and bad faith. Served as one of the lead attorneys for the defendant in a multi- district litigation (MDL) in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina Currently defending chemical manufacturer in a purported multi-state class action alleging chemical exposure. Lead defense lawyer in nationwide class action settlement involving a credit repair company. Currently representing the defendant in a case alleging misappriation of trade secrets. Currently representing the insurance company defendants in one purported nationwide class action and one individual case involving life insurance policies used to fund 412 (i) plans. Significant appellate decisions: Louise Hunter, et al. v. American General Life and Accident Insurance Co., et al.,2006 WL 3267346 (4th Cir. Nov. 13, 2006)(affirming denial of class certification for proposed nationwide class alleging racial discrimination in the pricing of insurance policies); Morgan Stanley v. Ventura, 907 So. 2d 1035 (Ala. 2005) (holding that beneficiary was bound by arbitration provisions contained in investment agreements even though the beneficiary did not sign the agreements); American General Life and Accident Insurance Company v. Underwood, 886 So. 2d 807 (Ala. 2004) (reversing the trial court’s order denying American General’s summary judgment motion based on the Rule of Repose); Anderson, et al. v. H&R Block, Inc., et al., 132 F. Supp. 2d 948 (M.D. Ala. 2000) (denying motion to remand based on National Bank Act preemption); reversed 287 F.3d 1038 (Eleventh Cir. 2002); cert. granted 539 U.S. 913 (2003) and remanded based on decision of United States Supreme Court in a companion case, Beneficial National Bank v. Anderson, 539 U.S. 1 (2003) (reversing the Eleventh Circuit and affirming the denial of the motion to remand based on National Bank Act preemption); Household Bank, H&R Block, Inc., et al. v. The JFS Group, et al., 320 F.3d 1249 (Eleventh Cir. 2003) (reversing the district court and holding that federal-question jurisdiction exists in a declaratory judgment action if the plaintiff has alleged facts in a well-pleaded complaint which demonstrate that the defendant could file a coercive action arising under federal law); Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society v. Harris, 740 So. 2d 362 (Ala. 1999) (reversing the trial court’s order denying Woodmen’s motion to compel arbitration); Ex parte Exxon Corporation, 725 So. 2d 930 (Ala. 1998) (ordering decertification of nationwide class). |