Eric J. Walz

Overview Eric Walz is a trusted advocate in high-stakes employment and class-action litigation, known for securing significant victories for workers, consumers, and business clients. Clients and co-counsel value Erics precision, intensity, and ability to drive favorable outcomes in litigation environments where the stakes are highest. With a commanding presence in the courtroom and a strategic approach to resolution, he has built a strong track record through trials, verdicts, and favorable settlements. Erics practice spans complex wage-and-hour disputes, misclassification claims, discrimination and retaliation cases, and consumer protection matters. He also represents franchisees, automotive dealers, marine construction companies, and other businesses in critical litigation against franchisors, manufacturers, and competitors - helping them protect their interests and navigate high-risk conflicts. Recent Highlights Trial Wins: Achieved a major bench trial victory in Suffolk Superior Court and a full jury verdict win before the Business Litigation Session Post-Trial Success: Obtained a post-trial order awarding over $1 million in attorneys fees - a decision praised by legal media for its impact on indemnification law Class Action Leadership: Won summary judgment on behalf of a consumer class in a case alleging unfair and deceptive practices Additional Litigation and Trial Successes Class Action Settlements: Secured multiple seven-figure confidential recoveries in nationwide wage-and-hour and independent contractor class actions Individual Settlements: Reached six-figure settlements in a range of employment claims-including retaliation, overtime, and discrimination-many resolved before formal complaints were filed; negotiated dozens of additional five-figure resolutions Individual Defense Wins: Strengthened clients defense so completely that the plaintiff dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety just days before trial Experience Represented a franchise client in a system-threatening class action lawsuit, including first chairing an arbitration, managing the Sixth Circuit offensive and defensive strategy, and supporting the Ninth Circuit strategy and defense. Represented an automotive client in a lawsuit alleging fraud, coercion, state dealer law violations, and otherwise challenging an OEMs nationwide incentive program. Represented a fitness franchisor facing multimillion-dollar claims of wrongful termination of an area developer agreement, multiple franchise agreements and conspiracy. Successfully resolved the dispute for a fraction of the demand. As part of the settlement, convinced the franchisors insurer to cover a much greater portion of the settlement than the client was seeking, saving the client hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. First chaired litigation against a global manufacturer of space and military defense systems in a case involving claims of RICO violations, wire fraud, securities fraud and whistleblower retaliation. Represented a franchise client in federal court in a lawsuit alleging fraud, breach of contract and various state franchise law violations. Successfully argued motion to dismiss and resolved the dispute on favorable terms. Defended a global automobile manufacturer on appeal in an action to uphold a denial of warranty rate increase request by a dealership using a novel theory of recovery. Structured and drafted a contractual framework for a new partnership between an automotive dealer and an OEM while remaining in compliance with state dealer statutes and avoiding dealer protests and other litigation. Represented a New England franchise client facing a wrongful death action following an accident involving a delivery driver; settled case on favorable terms. Successfully challenged the licensing of a cannabis retailer seeking to establish a location in a property adjacent to a clients property. Secured a complete dismissal of a complaint against a local nonprofit facing wrongful termination and retaliation claims. Won the complete dismissal of an action against an Israeli company facing defamation claims for online services. Performed anti-corruption internal investigations for a global technology company in Italy and Romania, a global manufacturer in Mexico, and a global financial institution in the United Kingdom, and oversaw anti-corruption due diligence on third-party vendors in India, Germany, the Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Mauritius and other locations for a global healthcare company. Defended clients in investigations and prosecutions by the DOJ and the SEC for violations of the FCPA, the False Claims Act, financial crimes, wire and mail fraud, and false statements. Accolades Rising Star, Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2021 and 2022 Publications & Events Rudolph Friedmann Secures Sweeping Victory for Business Owner in Complex Business Litigation Case Including Award of Attorneys Fees Pursuant to Indemnification Agreement DOJ Action Is A Cautionary Tale On Employer No-Poach Pacts False Claims - Comparing the Federal and Massachusetts Acts Employees Gain Whistleblower Protections for Antitrust Complaints Vaccines to Come, but in the Interim, Preparation Is a Franchisees Best Friend