Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Herff Jones' Litigation Against Jostens Involving Confidential And Trade Secret Information
INDIANAPOLIS, April 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Herff Jones, a division of Varsity Brands and the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students, today announced that the Alabama Supreme Court has upheld its unanimous verdict rendered a year ago in its favor in significant litigation against its biggest competitor, Jostens, Inc. The Alabama Supreme Court's finding definitively resolves this matter and affirms the jury's finding that Jostens conspired and stole confidential and trade secret information, and interfered with Herff Jones' contracts with its sales representatives. Herff Jones will now be receiving a multi-million dollar award as a result of these actions.
Steve Down, president of Herff Jones, stated, "Schools across the country deserve to know that companies selling products to them are doing the right thing, acting as responsible stewards and behaving with fundamental fairness in mind. These attributes are at the heart of any ethical business, and they are more important now than ever as schools look for trustworthy partners to help them navigate this new e-learning landscape. We appreciate the judicious and well-considered affirmation from the Alabama Supreme Court."
Burton Brillhart, Varsity Brands' general counsel, added, "Ensuring the integrity of our commercial agreements is vital to our business, and we will always invest the time and resources to protect those interests accordingly. I'm proud of our dedicated internal and outside counsel who got the job done, and share this victory with my colleagues across the Varsity Brands platform."
Herff Jones was represented by Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann along with the Kullman Firm, Burr & Forman and FarmerPrice, LLP, in addition to internal legal counsel. The case, which was filed in the Circuit Court of Mobile, Ala. is styled as Herff Jones and Brent Gilbert v Jostens, John Wiggins and Chris Urnis, Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama, CASE NO. CV-16-901415.
ABOUT HERFF JONES
Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. A division of Varsity Brands, Herff Jones' products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, frames and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 2,000 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years. For more information about Herff Jones or Varsity Brands, please visit www.herffjones.com or www.varsitybrands.com.
ABOUT VARSITY BRANDS
With a mission to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for young people, Varsity Brands elevates the student experience, promotes participation and celebrates achievement through three unique but interrelated businesses: BSN SPORTS, a Varsity Sport Brand; Varsity Spirit; and Herff Jones, a Varsity Achievement Brand. Together, these assets promote personal, school and community pride through their customizable products and programs to elementary and middle schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, professional and collegiate sports teams and corporations. Through its 9,000 dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year via catalog, telesales, e-commerce sites and direct sales channels.
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SOURCE Herff Jones
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