TopVerdict has named the $157 million verdict won by Burford Perry in a complex shareholder derivative and breach of fiduciary duty case one of the top 20 plaintiff's jury verdicts in Texas for 2023.
The case was Laura Elizabeth Yosowitz v. Martin Lee Kay, et al., No. 2018-37750, in 334th District Court. Judge Dawn Rogers presided at the February 2023 trial. TopVerdict’s list comprises cases tried last year in state or federal courts in Texas.
“This recognition underscores the exceptional outcome we achieved for our client,” said Robert Burford, lead counsel to Laura Yosowitz. “Securing a verdict of that size is a testament to the dedication and skill of our entire trial team.”
In addition to Mr. Burford, Ms. Yosowitz was represented by Burford Perry partner Brent Perry and associate Zachary Carlson, as well as Jeff Diamant of Jeff Diamant P.C. and Shawn A. Johnson of SAJ Law PLLC.
The case involved claims against Ms. Yosowitz’s former partner, Martin Kay. The two were co-owners of Greenlet, LLC, a real estate technology company. Mr. Kay, however, transferred all that company’s assets—technology, data, customers, and business plan—to a new company that became wildly successful. The lawsuit alleged that Mr. Kay’s actions stripped Ms. Yosowitz’s ownership interest in Greenlet of any value.
In the final judgment, Ms. Yosowitz was awarded $54 million, her proportionate share of Greenlet’s $138 million in derivative damages. The Court also awarded Ms. Yosowitz an additional $2 million in attorneys’ fees and costs.
