Kristin S.M.Morrison

Partner

Cleveland + 1.216.586.7375

Kristin Morrison is a dedicated trial lawyer who handles complex commercial litigation matters from start to finish. She counsels business clients before and after litigation arises on wide-ranging issues involving material transactions, commercial contract interpretation, and governance issues.

Kristin has particular experience bringing and defending claims for clients based on breach of contract, breach of representation and warranty, business torts, indemnification, trade secrets and confidentiality, shareholder derivative actions, and various state and federal statutes regulating business conduct and competition, including investigations and pre-lawsuit analyses related to each of these areas. She has handled all aspects of pretrial and trial procedures in state and federal courts, including motion practice, complex discovery, depositions, mediations and settlement negotiations, and the preparation and presentation of witnesses and oral arguments in jury trials, bench trials, and arbitration proceedings.

Kristin represents such clients as Cleveland-Cliffs, Owens Corning, Macy's, J.M. Smucker, and KeyBank. She has extensive experience in commercial litigation trying cases for plaintiffs and defendants, including Macy's 2013 trial against JCPenney and Martha Stewart in New York. More recently she has represented Owens Corning and Cleveland-Cliffs in significant litigation against customers and competitors. Kristin has had substantial responsibility in the Firm's ongoing representations of a national retail pharmacy client in multidistrict actions.

Kristin is committed to pro bono and public service activities. She currently serves on the board of directors for Positive Education Program (PEP). She has represented clients on behalf of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and has served on nonprofit boards, including the Cleveland Arts Prize.

Kristin is chair of the summer associates program and co-chair of the women's affinity group for the Cleveland Office.

Experience

  • MinuteKEY obtains favorable verdict in IP case involving key making kiosksJones Day secured a successful outcome in an 11-day jury trial in federal court in Cincinnati, Ohio on behalf of MinuteKEY, Inc., a Boulder, Colorado-based company that manufactures automated self-service key-cutting kiosks.
  • Associated Estates defends challenge to its acquisition by Brookfield Asset ManagementJones Day represented Associated Estates Realty Corporation and its directors in action in Ohio federal court (settled) alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and disclosure violations in the company's cash out merger.
  • Macy's prevails at trial against J.C. Penney for tortiously interfering with Macy's contract with Martha Stewart Living OmnimediaOn June 16, 2014, the Supreme Court of the State of New York granted Jones Day client Macy's, Inc. a complete victory, after trial, against J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. for tortious interference with a license agreement between a Macy’s affiliate and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. ("MSLO").
  • Diebold obtains dismissal of breach of contract claimJones Day client Diebold, Incorporated obtained dismissal of an $11 million breach of contract claim filed by Webster Bank N.A. involving a subcontractor who was convicted of fraud and the theft of millions of dollars from several banks.
  • FirstMerit wins dismissal of all claims in shareholder derivative lawsuits relating to compensation and adverse say-on-pay voteJones Day represented the board of directors of FirstMerit Corporation in a shareholder derivative action (dismissed) arising from compensation decisions and disclosures made in light of a negative result in the company's 2012 say-on-pay shareholder vote.
  • Diebold resolves shareholder class actionJones Day defended a shareholder class action (settled) against the Company alleging open market misstatements and omissions under federal securities law, arising out of the Company's restatement of its financial results for the period 2003-2007.
  • Additional Speaking Engagements

    • December 15, 2017
      Trial Evidence for the Ohio Practitioner, Ohio State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education presentation
    • December 16, 2016
      Trial Evidence for the Ohio Practitioner, Ohio State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education presentation
    • April 8, 2014
      Get It Filed!, Continuing Legal Education presentation