REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
J. Timothy Hobbs
Constitutional and Preemption Disputes
Lead counsel for trade associations defending the constitutionality of US shipping laws. Successfully intervened over the parties’ objections and succeeded in dismissing plaintiff’s claims with prejudice. Koloa Rum Co. v. Noem, 822 F. Supp. 3d 8 (D.D.C. 2026).
Lead counsel for trade associations in successfully defending the constitutionality of US marine fishing laws against a coordinated, multijurisdictional attack. Russo v. Secretary of Commerce, 2026 WL 2602668 (11th Cir. 2026); Arnesen v. Lutnick, 170 F.4th 965 (5th Cir. 2026); New England Fishermen's Stewardship Ass'n v. Lutnick, 174 F.4th 263, 281 (1st Cir. 2026); Lofstad v. Raimondo, 117 F.4th 493, 499 (3d Cir. 2024).
Lead counsel for power company in successfully dismissing state law claims with prejudice as preempted by the Federal Power Act. Quinault Indian Nation v. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and TransAlta USA, Inc. (Superior Court for Thurston County, Washington, Nov. 22, 2024).
Represented railroad in successfully enjoining application of local ordinance as preempted by the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act (ICCTA). BNSF Railway Co. v. Clark County, 438 F.Supp.3d 1199 (W.D. Wash. 2021), aff’d, 11 F.4th 961 (9th Cir. 2021).
Antitrust and Competition Law
Lead counsel for seafood company in defending against class action alleging a coastwide conspiracy to fix prices for seafood products. Little et al. v. Pacific Seafood Procurement, LLC, et al. (N.D. Cal.) (ongoing).
Defended a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer against allegations it engaged in a global price fixing conspiracy for flat-panel screens. In re TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litigation (N.D. Cal.).
Defended a ski resort against antitrust claims involving its provision of housing units and resort services. Smugglers Notch Homeowners’ Ass’n, Inc. v. Smugglers’ Notch Mgmt. Co., Ltd., 414 F. App’x 372 (2d Cir. 2011).
Obtained dismissal with prejudice of antitrust claims asserted against a global product manufacturer and distributor. US Ring Binder, L.P. v. World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 804 F. Supp. 2d 588 (N.D. Ohio 2011).
Represented a US-based air carrier in a successful challenge to operations by a non-US helicopter services company, showing that that company was operating unlawfully in the United States.
Successfully represented Asia-based company in securing pre-merger clearance from the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice for US$100 million acquisition of US-based company.
Regulatory and Environmental Litigation
Won a lawsuit against the Department of Commerce on behalf of commercial fishing industry plaintiffs who challenged a reallocation of fishing quota. A.P. Bell Fish Co., Inc. v. Raimondo, 94 F.4th 60 (D.C. Cir. 2024).
Represented an electric power generator in challenging conditions of a permit issued by EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Defended multiple clients against citizen suits under the Clean Water Act.
Represented a major corporation against claims for contribution of Superfund response costs.
Represented a coalition of fishing vessel operators and environmental groups in filing an amicus brief before the Fifth Circuit in support of electronic catch reporting. Mexican Gulf Fishing Co. v. US Dep’t of Commerce, 60 F.4th 956 (5th Cir. 2023).
Won lawsuit against the Commerce Department and overturned a reallocation of fishing quota that harmed the commercial fishing sector in the Gulf of Mexico. Guindon v. Pritzker, 240 F. Supp. 3d 181 (D.D.C. 2017).
Intervened in litigation on behalf of Bering Sea crab harvesters and defeated challenge to a regulatory program expected to save the harvesters US$50 million per year in lost revenues due to unfair competition from illegally harvested crab. Alfa Int’l Seafood, Inc. v. Ross, 264 F. Supp. 3d 23 (D.D.C. 2017).
Represented groundfish harvesters and processors who intervened in a legal challenge to Pacific whiting catch allocations and defeated challenge to the allocation formula. Pacific Dawn, LLC v. Pritzker, 831 F.3d 1166 (9th Cir. 2016).
Won lawsuit against the Commerce Department on behalf of commercial fish harvesters, showing that the government violated numerous provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act by failing to hold the recreational fishing sector to its catch limits. Guindon v. Pritzker, 31 F. Supp. 3d 169 (D.D.C. 2014).
Represented a coalition of fishing industry and environmental interests who intervened in a challenge to individual fishing quota (IFQ) and cooperative programs for the Pacific groundfish trawl fleet and succeeded in upholding the program. Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations v. Locke, 693 F.3d 1094 (9th Cir. 2012).
Represented fishing industry and environmental interests who intervened in a challenge to an IFQ program for grouper and tilefish in the Gulf of Mexico and succeeded in upholding the program. Coastal Conservation Association v. Blank, 2011 WL 4530544 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 29, 2011).
Successfully defended a fishing company against a US$4.4 million civil penalty action brought by the US Department of Commerce for allegedly exceeding crab processing restrictions.
