PHILADELPHIA – A California man is alleged to be unlawfully soliciting former customers he had while employed by companies in West Chester.
Synthes Inc., Medical Device Business Services Inc., Synthes USA LLC, Depuy Spine LLC and Depuy Synthes Sales Inc. filed a complaint on Dec. 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Mario Schackelman alleging breach of contract.
According to the complaint, the defendant is a former sales consultant for the plaintiffs for the San Fernando Valley area who resigned in October. The plaintiffs allege that since his resignation, he has "actively solicited the business of the Synthes customers in his former territory on behalf of Synthes' direct competitor, Zimmer Inc. ... armed with the extensive body of confidential and trade secret information entrusted to him" during his employment with the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs hold Schackelman responsible because the defendant allegedly violated the confidentiality, nonsolicitation and noncompetition agreement he signed with the plaintiffs in 2009.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek injunctive relief, actual damages, incidental and consequential damages, exemplary damages, court costs and any further relief the court grants. They are represented by Anthony B. Haller, Leigh Ann Buziak and Kevin M. Passerini of Blank Rome LLP in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-05521-PBT