Jennifer and Philippe Selendy, distinguished litigators at Selendy Gay, have clinched recognition at Unrivaled 2025, primarily for their role in guiding a team to a landmark trial victory. The case involved a notable judgment of over $1 billion for Fortis Advisors amidst a contentious merger and acquisition (M&A) earnout battle and a complex dispute in the field of medical robotics against industry giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J).
The pivotal legal proceedings unfolded in the Delaware Court of Chancery, spotlighting allegations that J&J had fraudulently induced Auris Health to engage in a merger. The court found J&J culpable for contractual breaches by prioritizing its own medical robotics over achieving regulatory milestones for Auris Health’s technology. Notably, a judge determined J&J’s responsibility for damages on multiple fronts, including breaches of contract and fraud.
This trial presented a challenging landscape, given the intricacies inherent in surgical robotics. In crafting their legal strategy, the Selendys focused on the highly specific terms of the merger agreement and the scripted assurances provided by J&J’s leadership, utilized to cement the deal. The Selendy’s meticulously built a case leveraging J&J’s own documents and witness testimony, underscoring the intense focus from J&J to acquire Auris and derail competitor advantages in the burgeoning medical robotics sector.
Unexpected challenges arose, such as the delivery of a voluminous expert report from J&J shortly before trial. The Selendy’s promptly deconstructed the lengthy document, capitalizing on their deep dive into the robotics domain and effectively turning J&J’s expert testimony to fortify their own arguments during the ensuing courtroom examination.
Reflecting on their professional journey, Philippe and Jennifer Selendy emphasize the importance of credibility, respect for legal processes, and ongoing learning. Jennifer advises emerging trial lawyers to value mentorship from seasoned trial attorneys, as this hands-on guidance is unmatched in developing courtroom acumen and skill.