Our attorneys have extensive experience in successfully resolving complex and sophisticated disputed matters as well as routine matters for our clients in U.S. and international litigations, arbitrations, and mediations. Our substantive expertise includes commercial contracts, government contracts, securities and other frauds, fiduciary duty, employment disputes, reinsurance, art and artists’ rights, injunctions, enforcement of foreign judgments, RICO and class action prosecutions and defense, and copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property matters.
Much of our litigation work for corporate clients has included a substantial international dimension. In recent contested matters, our litigation attorneys have represented:
- the former owner of a wireless telephone company in prosecution of fraud and related claims against Carlos Slim and his companies arising out of the sale of the owner’s interest in the company
- individual and corporate U.S. parties in a dispute arising out of a joint venture for a Latin American investment fund
- Dutch companies defending against shareholder claw back litigation in the bankruptcy court
- Latin American parties in a dispute in federal court arising out of the acquisition of a Latin American financial institution by a U.S. bank
- a Spanish-based pharmaceutical company in proceedings in Spain
- a world-wide class of defrauded investors in a failed hedge fund in a securities fraud class action and concurrent cross-border bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings
- a Korean couple who were fraudulently induced to invest their life savings in a fictitious power plant project, which ultimately resulted in a significant jury verdict in their favor
- Defense of Brazilian guarantors against a major international bank lender.
Our litigation matters regularly involve jurisdictional or forum non conveniens objections, procedural treaties, letters rogatory, prejudgment attachments, obtaining evidence abroad, proof of foreign law, conflicts of laws issues, bilingual depositions, bilingual court testimony as well as concurrent proceedings in the US and in a foreign country. We are frequently called upon to assist foreign lawyers and litigants in obtaining or limiting discovery sought in the U.S. for use in foreign proceedings and to represent third parties as to subpoenas issued in the U.S. presenting issues of foreign attorney-client privilege and other foreign law issues.
Complementing our general litigation capabilities, the firm has developed special expertise in two niche areas. The first is advising business clients and representing them in defending court and other proceedings concerning allegations of sexual harassment, age, disability, and other employment discrimination and workplace disputes, as well as in enforcement of employee non-compete agreements. The second is advising individuals and small businesses on with a host of business and legal issues involving the development, securing, maintenance, exploitation, and enforcement of trademark and related intellectual property rights.
The firm also has extensive experience in arbitration matters before U.S. and foreign arbitral bodies and international trade associations. We have represented domestic and international business clients as their counsel in commercial disputes before arbitration panels constituted before, among others, the International Chamber of Commerce and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution.
Drawing upon our government service experience, international perspectives, and cross-cultural communication skills, we have successfully resolved disputes for our clients through mediation as well as informal negotiation. Such disputes often include contracts, partnership matters, finder’s fees, employment claims, trusts and estates, and professional discipline matters.
Our attorneys also serve with distinction as neutral arbitrators or mediators under providers such as the American Arbitration Association and Resolute Systems.