johman@vanfeliu.com
PRACTICE AREAS:
Complex Commerical and Business and
Technology Litigation
EDUCATION:
Columbia University, B.A., 1978
Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 1992
BAR ADMISSIONS:
New York, 1993; U.S. District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, 1994
John Ohman is a partner in the Litigation Department at Vandenberg & Feliu, where he concentrates his practice on complex commercial, business and technology litigation. Mr. Ohman began his legal career at Brown Raysman & Millstein and remained at that firm after its merger with Thelen Reid & Priest in 2006. At Brown Raysman, he served as General Counsel and Litigation Department Assignment Partner while maintaining an active litigation practice. Prior to entering law school, Mr. Ohman spent nearly 10 years working in the financial services industry, chiefly in the operational areas of trades processing and reconciliation.
During his over 16-year career, Mr. Ohman has litigated a broad range of cases, including commercial contract disputes, RICO, patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secret, antitrust, fiduciary breaches, restrictive covenants, real estate, construction litigation, close corporation and partnership disputes, employment, legal malpractice and business torts. He has extensive experience in disputes arising from the failure of computer software and other high technology implementation projects. While his litigation experience, including trial and appellate work, has been focused in proceedings in New York federal and state courts, Mr. Ohman has also been involved in disputes in courts throughout the United States as well as in proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and other arbitration authorities. He has represented established clients in the banking, securities, technology, consulting and accounting industries, as well as start-up ventures and individuals. He has also spoken on ethics, technology and intellectual property litigation and data security issues.
His representative matters include:
- Won defense verdict on behalf of U.S. subsidiary of German manufacturer and distributor of orthodontic devices in patent infringement case involving dental brackets.
- Represented Connecticut-based marketing company in 3-year multi-forum patent infringement dispute involving 15 patents claiming various targeted marketing systems and processes. Successfully defended against three motions for summary judgment and defeated motion for preliminary injunction originally brought in Virginia’s “rocket docket.”
- Defended national consulting and accounting firm against antitrust and related claims brought by former consultant in connection with annual financial performance studies prepared by client for a group of leading U.S. insurance companies. Obtained dismissal of case as against client and negotiated global settlement involving all remaining claims and parties.
- Represented a national consulting and accounting firm in a dispute with one of its subcontractors involving the ownership of computer software and other intellectual property utilized in preparing annual financial performance studies for the benefit of certain customers of the client. Successfully defended client in federal antitrust action commenced by same consulting firm.
- Represented Internet start-up venture and its founder-president in litigation involving claims of trade secret misappropriation and novel question as to whether a Business-to-Business multivendor web site for distributors of medical and dental supplies “competed” with a leading healthcare products distributor.
- Represented multinational U.S. technology and services conglomerate in a dispute against a former provider of computer maintenance and related services to the company and several of the client’s business units involving the quality and value of those services.
- Represented and obtained favorable settlements on behalf of national consulting and accounting firm in a series of disputes with client’s customers relating to the sale of certain technology consulting services provided by the client.
- Defended U.S. subsidiary of Israeli-based provider of multi-media digital recording solutions, applications and related professional services for business interaction management in action brought by distributor of certain of the client’s products involving claims relating to the distribution and sale of those products.
- Represented a leading manufacturer and distributor of children’s clothing in a complex technology litigation against software vendor involving contract to implement an integrated computerized warehouse management system in the client’s New Jersey warehouse facility. Obtained summary judgment as to liability on appeal and subsequently settled case.
- Defended U.S. subsidiary of Israeli-based provider of multi-media digital recording solutions, applications and related professional services for business interaction management in action brought by distributor of certain of the client’s products involving claims relating to the performance of those products. Obtained dismissal of nine of eleven counts in complaint and ultimately settled the case.
- Represented two major New York metropolitan area hospitals in separate disputes with computer software vendors involving diagnostic, scheduling and billing software. Each dispute was resolved prior to the commencement of suit.
- Represented, on a pro bono basis, a leading New York non-profit foster care agency in commercial lease dispute with landlord. Obtained dismissal of all claims after bench trial.
- Defended New York City real estate company and its principal against claims for brokerage commission on long-term commercial lease. Obtained directed verdict in clients’ favor at trial.
His reported decisions include:
· Orthoarm, Inc. v. Forestadent USA, Inc., Civ. No. 4:06-CV-730 CAS,
2008 WL 4681385 (E.D. Mo. Oct. 21, 2008).
· Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. v. Saint-Gobain Ceramics &
Plastics, Inc., Civ. No. 07-190-SLR, 2008 WL 114361 (D. Del. Jan. 8, 2008).
· Uni-Rty Corp. v. Guangdong Bldg., Inc., 464 F. Supp. 2d 226
(S.D.N.Y. 2006).
· Pavlica v. Behr, 397 F. Supp. 2d 519 (S.D.N.Y. 2005).
· Intellective, Inc. v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Ins. Co.,
190 F.Supp.2d 600 (S.D.N.Y. 2002).
Mr. Ohman is a graduate of Columbia College and Columbia University School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, where he currently serves on the Committee on State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction.
Mr. Ohman lives in New York City's East Village with his partner, Kara, and a large and diverse record, CD and video collection. He is a passionate Yankees and football Giants fan.