Stuart Plunkett represents a variety of clients in complex commercial disputes. He has significant expertise in antitrust litigation and counseling. Mr. Plunkett has represented companies and individuals in antitrust disputes across the country involving competition-related claims in the energy, high tech, medical device, and financial services industries. Mr. Plunkett is currently the Chair of the Antitrust Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Antitrust Section of the California State Bar.
Mr. Plunkett also has significant experience in securities fraud litigation. He has represented numerous public companies faced with securities fraud allegations, including the successful defense at trial of a large telecommunications company. Mr. Plunkett has also represented companies in a variety of other commercial disputes and class action litigation.
Mr. Plunkett has a significant pro bono practice. He was awarded the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services. He successfully defended a municipality at a jury trial against an individual seeking a substantial award for personal injuries, obtained asylum for a client who had been persecuted for his sexual orientation, argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a habeas action, represented a builder of low-income housing in San Francisco, defended a municipality in a free speech case, and represented civil rights organizations and same-sex couples in litigation arising out of the same-sex marriage debate in California. Mr. Plunkett is currently on the Board of the Foundation of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
Mr. Plunkett graduated from the University of Minnesota as a Phi Beta Kappa. During law school, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Northwestern University Law Review, and was elected Order of the Coif. He was a member of the National Moot Court, and received the Arlyn Minor Legal Writing Award.
Representative Matters
Antitrust Litigation and Counseling
- In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation - representing major financial institution.
- DocMagic, Inc. v. Ellie Mae, Inc. - representing mortgage services company in competitor antitrust suit.
- In re Late Fee and Over-Limit Fee Litigation - representing major financial institution.
- In re SRAM Antitrust Litigation - representing chipmaker.
- In re Tableware Antitrust Litigation - representing tableware manufacturer.
- California Newspaper Partnership Antitrust Litigation - representing media company against claims brought by competitor.
- In re El Paso Corporation Antitrust Litigation - representing energy company in multiple lawsuits across the country.
- CFIT v. Verisign Inc. - representing Internet services company in monopolization claims regarding “.com” and “.net” registries.
- In re Publication Paper Antitrust Litigation - representing paper manufacturer.
- Medtronic, Inc. v. Estech, Inc. - representing medical device company accused of violating antitrust laws through enforcement of patents.
Securities Litigation
- In re JDSU Securities Litigation (N.D. Cal.) - representing fiberoptics company (won jury verdict on behalf of JDSU and former executives in a case seeking $20 billion for alleged securities fraud and insider trading).
- In re Cooper Companies, Inc. Securities Litigation - representing optical company.
- In re Charles Schwab Corporation Securities Litigation - representing financial services company.
- In re Calpine Corporation Securities Litigation - representing energy company.
- In re Providian Financial Corp. Securities Litigation - representing financial services company.
Other Litigation
- Represented federal court-appointed receiver in contempt proceedings against state officials.
- Represented international investment company in arbitration involving fraud claims.
- Represented major retailer in claims brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Represented major credit card company in class action alleging conversion and other torts with respect to authorization practices.
- Represented title company in multiple cases involving unfair business practice claims.
- Represented financial services company in class actions brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
- Represented international mining conglomerate in human rights action brought under Alien Tort Claims Act.
Trial and Arbitration Experience
- Medina v. City of Menlo Park (N.D. Cal. jury trial, 2009)
- In re JDSU Securities Litigation (N.D. Cal. jury trial, 2007)
- Verio, Inc. v. Leonard et al. (AAA arbitration, 2000)
- Doe v. City of San Francisco (S.F. Superior jury trial, 1998)