On January 4, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled in favor of Williams & Connolly client Liberty Tax in a dispute with one of its franchisees. The franchisee had largely prevailed in a bench trial before the district court, and was awarded more than $2 million in damages. After both parties appealed, the Fourth Circuit vacated a substantial portion of the damages award. On remand, the district court granted the franchisee’s motion to increase the damages award based on purportedly new evidence, but otherwise denied the franchisee’s renewed claims for millions of dollars in damages. Both parties appealed again. In October 2020, Amy Saharia presented oral argument to the Fourth Circuit on behalf of Liberty Tax. And on January 4, 2021, the court granted a complete victory in Liberty Tax’s favor, ruling that the franchisee had not met the standard for relief based on newly discovered evidence, and rejecting the franchisee’s cross-appeal.  

The Williams & Connolly team representing Liberty Tax Service also included Brad Masters.