• Lead arbitration counsel for an NFL agent in a dispute with the owner of his prior agency. Von’s knowledge of the NFL athlete agent industry allowed him to determine exactly how much his client was owed. After a four-year stretch, Von’s client had signed eleven (11) first round draft picks, and was primarily responsible for growing the agency from a regional boutique to a national powerhouse. The owner of the agency settled the dispute under threat of suit, but thereafter commenced an arbitration proceeding, asserting breach of the confidentiality provisions of the underlying settlement agreement. At arbitration, Von’s cross examination of the opposing agent revealed that he had improperly manipulated an affidavit that served as the basis of his claims. The arbitrator ruled in favor of Von’s client on all claims and awarded attorneys’ fees and costs.
• Lead defense counsel for a sports facility development company in a suit led by an individual advancing claims of fraud and breach of contract against the company and its founding members in their individual capacities. Instead of employing the typical defense delay tactics, Von moved expeditiously to depose the plaintiff and lock him into his version of the events. At deposition, Von was able to expose the frivolous nature of the plaintiff’s claims, causing him to dismiss the case in its entirety shortly thereafter.
• Lead counsel in defense of a Division 1 college football player against allegations by the NCAA that he received improper benefits while still a student athlete. Von’s client was initially the focus of the NCAA’s investigation. The NCAA’s investigator was very aggressive, at one point insisting that the player’s mother allow inspection of her personal phone records. Von countered each of the NCAA’s aggressive tactics until the NCAA shifted its focus to another alleged incident involving another player. Von’s client was not suspended by the school or the NCAA, was a high round NFL draft pick and started for his NFL team as a rookie.
• Lead counsel for nationally acclaimed entertainer Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in opposing a multi-million dollar default judgment entered against him. Von entered the case five (5) years after the judgment was issued and petitioned the Georgia Supreme Court to have it overturned. After filing the petition, Von negotiated a settlement for less than five percent of face value of the judgment.
• Successfully represented Kevin Wales, CEO of Worldwide Entertainment, in protecting his interests in platinum selling music group 112’s split from Bad Boy Records.
• Counsel to the Panoz family on many business and sports- related endeavors, including: formation and launch of the business entities that would own, manage and promote the Delta Wing Race Project; formation of the Panoz LLC, successor to Panoz Auto Development Corporation and litigation counsel to JRD Tuning, LLC.
