Summary
Experienced in more than 100 trials representing parties in high- value lawsuits, Vincent I. Parrett represents Silicon Valley executives, founders, companies and majority shareholders in sophisticated business litigation. He analyzes claims, protects rights, and tries cases related to breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and many other commercial disputes.
In one case at Bergeson, LLP, Vince won on behalf of an international litigation funder in Santa Clara County Superior Court in a six-week trial involving claims of rescission and fraud. In another recent trial, Vince was trial counsel for a Silicon Valley technology manufacturer bringing complex claims and cross-claims of fraud and breach of contract in a multi-million-dollar dispute. His clients won.
Vince's litigation experience covers the spectrum of business disputes, including
- Shareholders actions
- Securities litigation
- Fraud
- Breach of stock agreements
- Breach of contract and defamation
- Intentional interference with contractual relations
Trial Tested and Ardent Litigator
Vince has built a reputation for effectiveness before a jury and civility throughout the litigation process. He credits pretrial preparation and strong deposition skills for his ability to achieve clients' goals in mediation, arbitration, and at trial.
For instance, Vince successfully defended a global multifamily office for Mark Zuckerberg, in a case involving a dispute over the acquisition of real property in Palo Alto, by so impeaching the plaintiff’s expert witness during a deposition that the case settled for zero dollars on the eve of trial.
Vince began his career conducting trials as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Judge Advocate General Corps at Naval Station Norfolk, the U.S. Navy's largest base in the world. Following his military service, he honed his civilian trial skills at prominent plaintiffs' firms in Manhattan and South Carolina focused on mass tort liability claims, including the Sept. 11 consolidated litigation in SDNY, Big Tobacco and lead paint litigation representing several major California counties and cities.
Raising the Business Trial Bar
As part of his commitment to the legal profession, Vince is active in several legal organizations, including the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, and The Honorable William A. Ingram American Inn of Court. Vince will serve as the 2020 chair of the Santa Clara County Bar Association's Civil Practice Committee. He provides pro bono services to the civil justice system including through his service in Santa Clara County Superior Court. He has also been honored as a Northern California Super Lawyer and as Trial Lawyer of the Year by the social-impact organization Public Justice.
Vince graduated Yale University, earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law and attended the U.S. Naval Justice School. His out-of-the office interests include his family, skiing, rugby and serving on the board of directors of the Eichler Swim & Tennis Club in Palo Alto.
Representative Cases
- Voskerician v. Mark Zuckerberg, et al.,
Successfully defended in a Santa Clara County Superior Court civil action a global multi-family office managing the finances of several of Silicon Valley’s most prominent executives; winning a dismissal of the entire case within forty-eight hours after deposing and impeaching the plaintiff’s expert witness; - Phan v. Tony Tolani, et al.,
Serving as trial counsel for the Plaintiff – a purchaser of a high-tech manufacturing company in San Jose - in trying her claims of breach of contract against the sellers, defendants Tony Tolani and Shalini Tolani, and concealment against Mr. Tolani, in a sharply-contested retrial in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Plaintiff claimed that the Tolanis failed to disclose accurate and complete information to her during due diligence before they sold the manufacturing company to her to inflate the purchase price for their own gain. This jury trial win was particularly challenging because Plaintiff, represented by different counsel, had already lost four of her seven claims at a first jury trial that resulted in a mistrial on the remaining claims of concealment and breach of contract. In the retrial, after eight days of trial and several days of deliberations, secured a unanimous jury verdict of concealment and breach of contract against Tony Tolani, and a jury verdict of breach of contract against Mrs. Tolani. The jury awarded Plaintiff damages in the amount of $577,600 against the Tolanis. Based on the attorney’s fees clause in the underlying contract, the Tolanis also agreed to pay an additional $775,000 to Plaintiff for attorney’s fees and costs. - Hulavision v. Ruloff Capital Corporation, et al.,
Serving as trial counsel for a prominent international litigation-funding company sued for rescission in Santa Clara County Superior Court, secured a victory for defendant after a six-week trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court in a complex case involving the intersection of litigation funding and champerty under international law.
- Nguyen v. Global Equipment Services and Manufacturing (“GES”), Inc., et al.
Serving as trial counsel for GES and its CEO; after leading expedited discovery involving more than a dozen depositions, and navigating multiple ex parte applications and motions involving consolidation, continuance, amendment of the pleadings, judgment on the pleadings, expedited discovery, expert discovery, and writs of attachment, among others, all cases were resolved successfully for GES and its CEO.
- Social Ranger v. Facebook
Representing the CEO of Udacity as a third-party witness, successfully quashed the subpoena against him to testify live at trial in Delaware after defending his deposition; - Cisco v. Hewlett-Packard Company
- Representing Defendant and Cross-Complainant HP Inc. in a complex commercial dispute; after over a dozen depositions and intensive pre-trial discovery disputes, case was resolved successfully on the eve of trial;
- People of California v. Atlantic Richfield Company et al.
Represented Santa Clara County, Alameda County and the City of Oakland, the City and County of San Francisco, the City of San Diego, Los Angeles County, Monterey County, San Mateo County, Solano County, Ventura County, for the People of the State of California, on a trial team that won $1.15 billion verdict. - In Re September 11 Litigation
On a trial team of Plaintiffs’ Co-Liaison counsel representing largest number of September 11 wrongful death victims; briefed, argued, and won motions in limine before Judge Hellerstein (SDNY) on federal preemption, conflicts of laws, and admissibility of evidence to prove damages recoverable against airlines and airport security companies. - Giddens v. Philip Morris USA
In 2013, as first-chair lead trial counsel, won jury verdict in federal court against Philip Morris USA in wrongful death tobacco case. - City Of Sterling Heights Retirement System v. Hospira, Inc.
Argued and won Lead Plaintiff hearing in securities fraud class action case in Chicago federal court.
- In re Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. Shareholders Litigation
Argued and won motion to dismiss hearing in Winn-Dixie case against opposing counsel Stephen Lamb, former Vice Chancellor of Delaware.
- In re Coventry Health Care, Inc. Shareholders Litigation
Deposed CFO of target company’s financial advisor on the deal; case successfully resolved shortly thereafter.
- Bennett v. Sprint Nextel Corp.
As co-lead counsel for co-lead plaintiff in securities fraud class action, deposed multiple Rule 30(b)(6) witnesses; defended deposition of CFO of client, one of the largest pension funds in Europe.
- National Association of Manufacturers, Chamber of Commerce, and Business Roundtable v. SEC
In 2013, wrote winning amicus brief on behalf of international humanitarian organization Global Witness to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in support of the SEC’s Final Rule enforcing Dodd-Frank Section 1502 that requires corporations to disclose publicly their use of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- Almog v. Arab Bank
Represented hundreds of American and Israeli terror victims in international litigation seeking to hold accountable terrorist financiers who allegedly supported dozens of terror attacks in Israel during the Second Intifada; deposed central banking experts on corporate compliance regarding financial regulations, anti-money laundering procedures, and anti-terrorist financing practices.
