E. John Steren

• Represented a large hospital chain in the mid-Atlantic region that was acquiring a competing hospital/system faced with a potential enforcement action by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). John developed the defenses to support the procompetitive benefits of the transactions so as to persuade the FTC not to challenge the transaction. He helped the client avoid costly litigation and proceed with the intended transaction.
• Represented a large network of physician providers located in the mid-Atlantic region that wanted to achieve clinical integration among competing providers including joint negotiations of payor contracts. John developed a systematic approach to fulfilling the requirements of clinical integration and provided a platform that properly positioned his client to jointly negotiate with the payors.
• Enforced non-compete provisions against former employees of a residential lender with offices located throughout the East Coast. John successfully obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent further theft of clients and trade secrets.
• Defended antitrust claims against a hospital system related to the acquisition of multispecialty physician practices. John defeated the lawsuit, winning motions explaining the lack of any basis for the litigation.
• Developed policies and standards for a retail chain for pricing products at retail. These policies and standards allowed the manufacturer to control the retail prices set by distributors and retailers.

Representative Cases

• Secured a federal court’s dismissal of an alleged breach of a restrictive covenant. IntelliHR, LLC v. Martyn, Case No. 1:15-cv-00243-LMB-MSN (E.D. Va. March 25, 2015).
• Obtained a $10 million judgment for a banking client against guarantors of a commercial loan. Branch Banking and Trust Co. v. Rappaport, Civ. Action No. 13-510 (D.D.C. February 28, 2014).
• Secured a federal court’s dismissal, affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, on behalf of a banking client accused of violating the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Ballard v. Bank of America, N.A., 734 F.3d 308 (4th Cir. 2013).
• Attained a federal court’s dismissal on filed-rate doctrine grounds of a nationwide class action alleging damages from the purported improper reporting of end-product prices used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish federal minimum prices payable to dairy farmers. Carlin, et al. v. DairyAmerica, Inc., et al., 690 F.Supp.2d 11 (E.D. Cal. 2010).
• Secured a $5.2 million arbitration award on behalf of a banking client for fraud and breach of contract. Bank of America, N.A. v. A.C. Technology, Inc., et al., AAA Case No. 16 148 Y 00590 09 (Oct. 4, 2010).
• Obtained summary judgment for the American Urological Association accused of conspiring with the American Medical Association to keep plaintiff's urological treatment off the market. Neotonus, Inc. v. American Medical Association, et al., 554 F. Supp. 2d 1368 (N.D. Ga. 2007).
• Obtained summary judgment for the defendant in an antitrust action challenging the legality of a radiology exclusive contract. Imaging Center, Inc. v. Western Maryland Health System, Inc., 20052 Trade Cas. (CCH) 75056, 2005 WL 3403627 (4th Cir. 2005).
• Attained a defense verdict on behalf of a hospital client accused of conspiring in violation of antitrust laws to prevent a competitor’s expansion efforts. Sisters of St. Francis, Inc. v. Morgan County, 397 F. Supp. 2d 1032 (S.D. Ind. 2005).
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a long-term care pharmacy provider accused of improperly maintaining a pharmaceutical recycling program in violation of the False Claims Act. United States ex rel. Quinn v. Omnicare, Inc., 382 F. 3d 432 (3rd Cir. 2004).
• Obtained injunctive relief on behalf of Morgan Stanley DW, Inc., in an action involving the misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information. Morgan Stanley DW Inc. v. Rothe, 150 F.Supp.2d 67 (D.D.C. 2001).