De Tomaso Automobili Prevails in Federal Trial, Secures Unanimous Jury Verdict Against Former CEO
De Tomaso Automobili has secured a sweeping legal victory in federal court, with a jury unanimously rejecting claims brought by its former Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Berris. The verdict concludes a high-profile dispute that stemmed from a 2023 action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, in which Berris alleged that he had been wrongfully forced out of the company after helping drive its revival.
In his lawsuit, Berris claimed he held an equity interest in De Tomaso and was entitled to additional compensation under what he described as an oral agreement. He argued that his role in revitalizing the historic automaker entitled him to ownership stakes and other benefits, including one of the brand’s limited-edition, multi-million-dollar supercars. At the time the case was filed, Berris said the dispute would “reverberate loudly across the world of limited edition, exclusive, multi-million-dollar supercars.”
After a six-day trial, the jury rejected those claims in full. Jurors unanimously found that De Tomaso did not breach any alleged oral compensation agreement and that Berris did not possess any equity ownership in the company. The verdict also determined that he had no contractual entitlement to the compensation he claimed, including equity or the bespoke vehicle he sought.
The jury further dismissed Berris’s allegations of fraud and dishonesty against De Tomaso’s owner, Norman Choi. His defamation claim was also rejected. That claim had centered on statements that Berris had entered into contracts without board approval, incurred questionable expenses, and was separated from the company for misconduct. The jury found those claims unsubstantiated.
In contrast, the jury ruled in favor of De Tomaso on its own affirmative claims against Berris. It concluded that he had breached his fiduciary duties to the company and awarded damages accordingly. Specifically, the jury found that Berris violated his duty of loyalty by failing to place the company’s interests ahead of his own and by engaging in actions that were not entirely fair to De Tomaso. It also determined that he breached his duty of care by acting with reckless indifference or beyond the bounds of reasonable conduct, and that his actions were a substantial factor in causing harm to the company.
Paul Werner, lead trial counsel for De Tomaso and a partner at Sheppard, commented on the outcome, saying the verdict validated the company’s position from the outset. “The jury’s sound and commonsense verdict confirms what De Tomaso has said from day one: Berris’s misconduct seriously harmed the company,” Werner said. “The verdicts finally set the record straight.”
Sheppard served as legal counsel to De Tomaso Automobili and Norman Choi throughout the case.
A Legacy Brand in Revival
De Tomaso Automobili traces its origins back to 1959, when it was founded by Argentine-born racer and entrepreneur Alejandro de Tomaso. Over the decades, the marque developed a reputation for blending European design sophistication with American performance, producing iconic sports cars that earned a devoted following among enthusiasts and collectors.
In 2014, entrepreneur Norman Choi—known for his role in the revival of Apollo Automobil—acquired the rights to the De Tomaso brand. Under his leadership, the company re-emerged on the global stage in 2019 with the debut of the P72, a limited-production supercar designed as a tribute to the company’s 1965 P70 racing prototype. The model was launched to commemorate the brand’s 60th anniversary and signal a new era for the storied automaker.
With the legal dispute now resolved in its favor, De Tomaso moves forward with its revival plans and future vehicle programs, free from the uncertainty surrounding the high-profile litigation. The unanimous verdict not only clears the company of the allegations brought by its former executive but also affirms the leadership’s claims regarding internal misconduct, marking a decisive chapter in the brand’s modern resurgence.
About De Tomaso Automobili
Founded in 1959 by racer and visionary Alejandro de Tomaso, De Tomaso Automobili is an iconic European American brand with a rich history, bold reputation, and treasured European sophistication and luxury. In 2014, Norman Choi, widely known for his efforts in the rebirth of Apollo Automobil, acquired the rights to De Tomaso, leading to the company’s revival introduction in 2019 with the coveted P72, which pays homage to De Tomaso’s 1965 P70 racing car in a tribute to the brands 60th anniversary.
