A federal court Judge in the Southern District of Florida recently ruled that a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed against Giorgio Armani by its former exclusive home furnishing dealer must be arbitrated, siding with the Italian fashion designer in rejecting arguments that the dealer’s claim for enforcement of an oral agreement and other claims are not arbitrable.
As reported by Law360, Mediterranea Trading in 2011 entered into a five-year written agreement to be the exclusive furniture dealer for Armani's home furnishings in South Florida.
In November 2019, Mediterranea Trading filed a seven-count complaint in a Florida state court which Armani removed to federal court. Armani filed motions to compel arbitration and to dismiss the complaint. Mediterranea Trading responded that its claim for enforcement of an oral agreement was not arbitrable and that other claims were outside the scope of the parties’ arbitration clause. Mediterranea Trading also argued that Armani, by litigating in the Florida federal case, had waived arbitration.
U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard rejected each of Mediterranea Trading’s arguments against arbitration and agreed with each of Armani’s arguments. “Here, the court finds that all plaintiff’s claims are subject to arbitration,” the judge wrote. “As such, the court finds that dismissal without prejudice is appropriate.” Judge Leonard’s detailed opinion provides clarification and guidance concerning a number of important legal issues relating to arbitration, particularly in the context of international commercial disputes.
Armani is represented by Miami partners Douglas M. Kramer and Peter H. Levitt.
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About Douglas M. Kramer
Douglas M. Kramer is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the International Dispute Resolution Practice Group. A Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated civil litigation and trial attorney, Doug has more than 30 years of experience providing counsel and guidance to clients in a variety of disputes. He has extensive experience handling real estate, insurance and business matters, including resolving disputes involving agreements, leases, shareholder relationships, creditor's rights issues, and liens and foreclosures. He also litigates business tort claims, including those alleging fraud or misrepresentation, intentional interference with business contracts or relationships and conversion.
About Peter H. Levitt
Peter H. Levitt is a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group. Peter’s broad-based practice involves representing financial institutions, property owners and investors in a wide variety of complex bankruptcy and commercial disputes, many of which involve litigation in multiple jurisdictions. His primary expertise is in bankruptcy, insolvency and real estate law with an emphasis on litigation arising in these contexts. Peter has tried numerous cases in federal and state courts. He also has substantial appellate experience, having argued significant cases in multiple federal and state jurisdictions.
- Both Mr. Kramer and Mr. Levitt have been selected for inclusion in 2022 Best Lawyers in America®.