Sheppard represented HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America, Inc. ("Hyundai") in John Y. Lee v. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America, Inc., Case No. 2023 L 9977, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
The plaintiff asserted claims for malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy, alleging that Hyundai provided false information to the U.S. Government that resulted in criminal charges brought against him. Following his acquittal in the criminal matter, the plaintiff filed a civil action against Hyundai seeking millions in damages.
The trial began on August 24, 2026. After the plaintiff rested his case, the Court entered a directed verdict in Hyundai's favor on the plaintiff’s intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy claims. Following Hyundai's presentation of the evidence, the jury shortly thereafter delivered a verdict in Hyundai's favor on the remaining malicious prosecution claim.
During the trial, Hyundai proved that the plaintiff's claims were unsupported by the facts and evidence. The Sheppard team successfully presented a clear account of the evidence — including more than 12 years of events spanning the United States and South Korea — and the Sheppard team addressed the issues most relevant to the jury.
The Sheppard trial team representing Hyundai was led by David Poell and Shin Hahn, and included Christopher Comstock, Sydney Hunemuller, Erica Gibbons, Harrison Kang and Nicole Marcinkus.