Mr. Ashton represents individuals and local, national, and multi-national corporations in actions involving contract disputes, shareholders’ rights, and fiduciary duties of officers and directors. Although Mr. Ashton is located in Baltimore, his practice regularly spans the Eastern Seaboard.

Examples of Mr. Ashton’s practice include:

• Currently representing the former chairman, CEO, and founder of a global reinsurance company in connection with SEC and USAO investigations and an enforcement action regarding accounting-fraud allegations.
• Currently representing a major tobacco company in actions throughout the country related to a $1.2 billion contract dispute between the tobacco industry and the states.
• Currently acting as litigation coordinator for nationwide fast food franchisor. In that role, Mr. Ashton monitors all litigation and counsel throughout the country.
• Currently representing former corporate directors being sued for, among other things, fraud and breach of fiduciary duties.
• Successful representation of Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. in class action relating to a proxy vote on the cash-out merger of a public company being taken private. The case resulted in the Court granting a motion to dismiss.
• Successfully represented a major investment firm that was sued by one of its former employees for allegedly false and defamatory statements made in the employee’s Form U-5 and for alleged employment discrimination. Following a three-day arbitration, the arbitration panel found in favor of the investment firm on all counts.
• Successful representation of a multi-national corporation that, along with a national bank, was sued for fraud, breach of contract, invasion of privacy, and conspiracy related to the bank’s customers. The case resulted in dismissal.
• Representation of a major telecommunications company during an FTC investigation of suspected unfair consumer practices. The investigation was dropped following discovery.
• Successful representation of an international franchisor sued by a former franchisee for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and violation of state statutory law related to disclosures to franchisee. Following a five-day jury trial, the franchisor prevailed. Thereafter, Mr. Ashton pursued and was awarded attorneys’ fees on behalf of the franchisor.
• Represented a national tax preparation service in two class actions filed on behalf of consumers alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duties related to loans to consumers in anticipation of income tax refunds. One class action was dismissed following dispositive motions. The other case is still pending.

认许

• Maryland