Attorneys

Geoffrey Genth Geoffrey Genth

Geoffrey H. Genth

Principal
410-347-7436410-539-1269
ggenth@kg-law.com
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Biography

“Recognized in Chambers USA for his ‘experience in litigation involving shareholder disputes and expertise in matters of professional liability, including malpractice and whistle-blower claims.’ Sources consider him to be a ‘bright, intuitive and excellent litigator….’ and commend his ‘local knowledge of federal court customs and practices.’ One source said: 'I have 100% trust in Geoff and that he will represent my interests thoroughly and aggressively. We have complete trust that Geoff will handle any matter he takes on.'”

Geoffrey Genth is a Maryland trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex business disputes, professional-liability cases, and the representation of nonprofit entities, including independent schools. Geoff has been described by his peers as "mature, steady, tenacious and practical." Chambers USA, one of the legal community's leading research guides, quotes sources saying Geoff "…capably handles complex matters," "he's an outstanding lawyer."

Shareholder Disputes.  Geoff has extensive experience handling disputes among shareholders of closely-held corporations. He represents companies, partnerships, and individual shareholders in disputes involving assets, breach of contract or fiduciary duty, ownership, retirement benefits, and other matters.

Professional Liability.  Geoff represents professionals and their businesses in professional liability matters involving malpractice, attorney grievance claims, insurance coverage, ethics, compensation, and whistleblower claims. His clients include lawyers, physicians, and accountants.

Education and Nonprofit Entities.  Geoff has more than twenty years' experience in matters involving independent schools and other nonprofit entities, including museums. Geoff has successfully represented independent schools in claims brought by current and former employees and students. He has also served as outside general counsel to such entities.

Throughout his career, Geoff has served as lead or local counsel in numerous complex cases in Maryland's federal court, including representation of major pharmaceutical manufacturers, power companies, investment banks, and vehicle dealers, as well as individual professionals.

Geoff is a past-president of the board of governors of the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He is also a former member of the section council of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, and a former editor of the CGL Reporter.


Recognition

Named Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2022

Recognized in Chambers USA, since 2006

Recognized in Benchmark Litigation, "Local Litigation Star," Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability, since 2015

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, since 2012

AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell


Service

Egenton~Roberts Foundation, President of the Board of Trustees

Hilltop Cares Foundation, Board of Directors

Hopewell Cancer Support, former Board Chair

Medical Education Resources Initiative for Teens (MERIT), Board of Directors

Middle Grades Partnership, Board of Directors


Memberships

American Bar Association

Baltimore County Bar Association

Bar Association of Baltimore City

Federal Bar Association

Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, Permanent Member

Maryland State Bar Association


Events

Moderator, "Shareholder Oppression in the Closely Held Businesses Entity, Rights & Remedies in Litigation and Strategies for Avoiding Litigation," Maryland State Bar Association Annual Meeting, MSBA, 2019

Co-presenter, "Arbitrating B2B Disputes: Maximizing Your Results," ACC-Baltimore Chapter, 2018

Co-presenter, "Independent School Legal Update: Proactive and Preventive Best Practice Policies and Procedures," 2016, 2018

Co-presenter, "Introduction to Federal Practice," Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, 2016, 2017

Co-presenter, "Proactive and Preventive Best Practices In the Wake of Wounded Warriors," SC&H 2016 Not-for-Profit Summit, 2016

Presenter, "Can Schools Limit Liability Through Exculpatory Clauses?" Perspectives on International Travel: Critical Legal & Insurance Considerations for Independent Schools Workshop, RCM&D, 2015


Publications

Co-author, "Commencing an Action: Maryland," Thomson Reuters Practical Law, 2017

Author, "MD Court of Appeals Recognizes Applicability of 'Reasonable Expectations' Doctrine to Disputes Among Shareholders of Closely-Held Corporations," The Maryland Litigator, 2012


Outside the Office

Geoff is a music and history buff, and has enjoyed coaching youth basketball and baseball.

Representative Matters

Successfully defended allegations of securities fraud made by the former CEO of a public, technology company against the company’s majority shareholders and members of its board and management. The United States District Court for the District of Maryland entered summary judgment for the defendants, and that ruling was affirmed on appeal. The case was important in light of the nature of the allegations and the relief sought -- approximately $50 million.

Obtained a substantial victory for the franchisor of international sales training programs in a case alleging breach of contract and fraud, and seeking compensatory damages in excess of $85 million, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. Brought by a franchisee, the case concerned the creation and sale of intellectual property rights. Following six days of trial before Judge J. Frederick Motz in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, the plaintiff agreed to a settlement in a sum representing less than ½ of Plaintiff’s claimed attorneys’ fees sought, and less than 1% Plaintiff’s claimed compensatory damages claim. The settlement achieved the client’s principal goal -- a complete termination of the relationship and all contracts between the parties.

Successfully defended an independent school, school administrators, and school trustees in a jury trial. A student, whom the school had required to withdraw for engaging in misconduct with regard to the school’s computer system, including downloading the school’s confidential data onto his personal thumb-drive, instituted the case. Additional plaintiffs were the student’s parents, one of whom was a former teacher at the school who brought employment-related claims. Plaintiffs sought millions of dollars in compensatory and punitive damages. After a two-week trial, the jury rendered a defense verdict on 11 of the 12 counts. Finding that Plaintiffs were entitled under one count to the value of the thumb-drive that the student had surrendered to the school, the jury awarded Plaintiffs $22.50. After the Circuit Court denied the Plaintiffs’ post-trial motion, the Plaintiffs elected not to appeal.

Successfully represented the seller of two nursing homes in litigation against the buyer. The Arbitrator ruled in the seller's favor, holding that the seller was not liable to the buyer, and awarded the seller attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the arbitration.

Successfully defended a group of accountants against claim, by their former accounting firm, for money damages under non-competition agreement.

As lead defense counsel for providers of oil recycling services in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act case, expeditiously settled the claim pursuant to a confidential agreement on satisfactory terms.

As local counsel, successfully defended a top 10 international financial firm in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, in a case alleging excessive mutual-fund fees. The alleged client exposure was approximately $50 million. The case resolved favorably.

News

Publications

Events

Recognition

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