Van Gelder, Alan

Michael Valenti is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended St. Ignatius High School . He obtained his undergraduate degree from nationally ranked College of the Holy Cross, and obtained his law degree from the American University, Washington College of Law.  Mr. Valenti began his legal career with Greenebaum Doll & McDonald, PLLC, one of the largest, most well-respected firms in Kentucky and the surrounding region. He later joined a medium sized firm, founded by former partners of the Greenebaum firm consisting of some of the most well-respected attorneys in the Louisville community. He remained with that firm for ten years where he became a partner. In 1997, Mr. Valenti teamed with John E. Hanley to form the law firm now known as Valenti Hanley & Robinson, PLLC. The firm has grown from three attorneys to its current ten. Mr. Valenti concentrates his practice in the business law arena, devoting most of his time in the following two areas: (i) general business and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on the rights and duties of shareholders, directors, officers and employees of businesses; and (ii) preparing the necessary documentation concerning the formation and operation of businesses, including business formation agreements and all types of contractual agreements needed by businesses in the course of their operations. During the course of his career, Mr. Valenti has successfully represented clients in many jury and bench trials, acting as the first chair attorney in most of these cases. All told, Mr. Valenti has litigated hundreds of cases, including cases seeking preliminary or injunctive relief. He believes that he brings a unique perspective to the practice of law in the business arena because his substantial litigation experience helps him anticipate issues that may arise in the contractual documents which he often prepares for clients. Mr. Valenti is also active in the community. He has coached football and lacrosse on a variety of levels for the past ten years. He is presently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Harbor House of Louisville, a non-profit organization serving needs of adults suffering from a variety of disabilities and those of their families. He is also a member of St. Albert the Great Parish.

Achievements Mr. Valenti has over 25 years of practice experience in a wide array of business and commercial litigation matters, including:

• Successfully defending the chief financial officer of an oil company against claims of defamation and tortious interference with contract seeking over $30 million in damages during a three-week long multi-party jury trial which resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the chief financial officer.
• Successfully defending a national religious organization based in Louisville against claims of sexual harassment which resulted in a verdict of zero damages against the religious organization following a jury trial.
• Successfully defending a developer of medical software against claims alleging defective software design and inadequate support during a jury trial which resulted in a verdict of zero damages against the software developer.
• Successfully representing companies and executives in preliminary injunction hearings involving the enforcement of covenants not to compete. Representing companies in connection with claims of trademark infringement and unfair competition under the Lanham Act. Briefing and arguing cases before federal and state appellate courts resulting in published opinions.
• Successfully representing a physician in a breach of contract case that led to a jury trial in excess of $400,000 was rendered in the physician's favor on his breach of contract claims against the medical professional service corporation by which he was formerly employed, on the grounds that the physician was not paid the proper amounts due and owing him under the contract upon termination.
• Successfully representing a widow who received a financial settlement as the result of the death of her husband in a coal mining accident in a securities arbitration involving claims that her money was placed in unsuitable investments.
• Successfully representing the former Chairman and CEO of a health care company for claims involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and the wrongful conversion of his stock.
• Successfully representing a regional drywall company in a breach of fiduciary duty and aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty case, which involved a jury trial in federal court and resulted in a verdict of over $800,000 in favor of the client.
• Negotiating a settlement on behalf of a surgeon who was sued under a physician recruitment agreement for a claim in excess of $1 million.
• Representing numerous energy companies and individuals in proceedings brought by or before the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions regarding claims arising from the offering of oil and gas investments.
• Representing patent holders in enforcing their rights under patents.