Mr. Wright is currently defending a global motor vehicle rental company in an alleged consumer class action pending in Florida federal court attacking the company’s self-insurance business practices. The class representative’s claims include several alleged violations of the Florida Insurance Code, Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Florida Civil RICO statute, and breach of contract.
He also represents a publicly traded property and casualty insurer in a second putative consumer class action pending in federal court in Florida which challenges certain fees and sales taxes charged on insurance products sold by car rental companies at airport counters throughout Florida. The class representative has asserted claims for unjust enrichment, breach of contract, disgorgement and restitution, and violation of Florida’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Mr. Wright recently settled a federal court action on behalf of a Fortune 500 corporation and a global insurance company, thwarting the plaintiffs’ efforts to transform uninsured/underinsured motorist claims into a class action for violations of the Florida Insurance Code.
Mr. Wright acted as lead trial counsel for the successful bidder in a $3.7 billion hostile tender offer battle over a Florida insurance corporation that culminated in a contested hearing before six members of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in a hotel ballroom in Miami in front of an audience of 200 attorneys and financial and insurance executives.
With respect to agency matters, Mr. Wright has represented a number of large out of state corporations being investigated by the Florida Attorney General’s office. He has also represented Florida regulators in connection with suits arising out of the failure of insurance companies, and has represented insurance companies seeking to obtain or renew their certificates to do business in Florida.
In the sports law context, Mr. Wright represented The Big East, Pitt, UWVa, Rutgers and UConn in the litigation filed by the University of Miami relating to its switch to the ACC. He has represented a number of individual athletes, including a reigning heavyweight champion, in various matters including a case involving the disappearance of three world championship belts. Additionally, he recently acted as local counsel for a foreign entity that brought suit in Florida state court against the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) for breach of a licensing agreement regarding Copa America, their championship tournament held every four years.
Mr. Wright has also defended California and foreign wine makers and vintners’ organizations in suits in both state and federal court arising out of the direct shipping of wine and alcoholic beverages into Florida. He co-authored an article entitled “Free Commerce In Wine: Trapped In A Legal Web.”
