Rick Claxton, head of the firm’s litigation practice, has over 25 years of courtroom experience representing clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 50 corporations. A veteran of dozens of jury and bench trials, Rick focuses his practice on complex business cases, such as corporate and partnership disputes, construction litigation, business torts, and employment litigation. However, Rick has always maintained a diverse practice, including cases on behalf of individuals with major personal injury claims, as well as representation of heirs and legatees in will contests and other estate and trust litigation.
In addition to his trial work, Rick has substantial appellate court experience, having briefed and argued cases before the highest courts of the District of Columbia and Maryland, as well as before various federal circuit courts.
Rick graduated with honors from Boston University School of Law where he served as executive editor of the American Journal of Law and Medicine.
Practice Focus
Representative Experience
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Representation of a provider of “back office” support to financial services firms in AAA arbitration against a customer. Rick’s client and the customer each asserted the other had breached their contract. Following a three-day arbitration, Rick’s client was awarded $647,000 and the customer’s claims were denied entirely.
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Representation of a developer and owner of regional shopping centers in tenant litigation.
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Representation of the seller of a business wrongfully fired from his job as an executive with the company by the new owner. The case resulted in a $1.6 million jury verdict for Rick’s client.
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Representation of a large builder of multi-family housing projects in construction disputes and litigation.
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Successful defense of a corporate officer sued for more than $10 million by a joint venturer of his former corporate employer. Following a two-month trial, the jury took less than five hours to return a favorable verdict for Rick’s client.
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Representation of one of the nation’s larger commercial brokerages in commercial leasing disputes and litigation.
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Representation of a Utah natural gas producer in an antitrust and contract action against a major pipeline company. The case resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement for the natural gas producer.
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Representation of a small business against an employee who started a competing business. A federal court jury awarded Rick’s client $385,000, including punitive damages.
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Representation of persons injured by defective consumer products or medical negligence. Rick has obtained numerous six- and seven-figure settlements on behalf of his clients who were injured by defective products or medical malpractice.
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Representation of heirs and beneficiaries in will contests and other cases involving estates and trusts, including cases involving questions of undue influence, questionable testator competence, and estate administration.
Representative Reported Cases
United States v. Coleman, 203 U.S. App. D.C. 326, 631 F.2d 9081 (1980); Bledsoe v. Crowley, 270 U.S. App. D.C. 308, 849 F.2d 639 (1988); American Directory Serv. Agency v. Beam, 131 F.R.D. 15 (D.D.C. 1990); Wright v. Neale, 79 Md. App. 20, 555 A.2d 518 (1989); 322 Md. 8, 585 A.2d 196 (1991); Bank of New York v. Amoco Oil Co., 35 F.3d 643 (2d Cir. 1994); Hill v. Scartascini, 134 Md. App. 1, 758 A.2d 1087 (2000); Parker v. Bureau of Land Management, 141 F. Supp. 2d 71(D.D.C. 2001); Mastercraft Interiors, Ltd. v. ABF Freight Sys., 284 F. Supp. 2d 284 (D. Md. 2003); Mastercraft Interiors, Ltd. v. ABF Freight Sys., 350 F. Supp. 2d 686 (D. Md. 2004); Hildebrant v. Educ. Testing Serv., 171 Md. App. 23, 908 A.2d 657 (2006); Norment Sec. Group, Inc. v. Travelers Cas. & Ins. Co., 505 F. Supp. 2d 97 (D.D.C. 2007).
Bar Admissions
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Maryland
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District of Columbia
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Virginia
Court Admissions
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United States District Court for the District of Columbia
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United States District Court for the District of Maryland
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United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
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United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
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United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
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United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Professional Organizations and Activities
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American Bar Association, Litigation Section
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Maryland State and Montgomery County Bar Associations
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Trial Lawyers Association of Metro D.C.
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Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
Education
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J.D., cum laude, Boston University School of Law
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B.J., University of Missouri, School of Journalism
Honors and Awards
Rick was chosen by his peers as a business litigation Super Lawyer for Maryland and the District of Columbia in 2007 and 2008.
