We don’t just manage crises, we prevail.
Business icons, governments and Fortune 500 companies routinely call upon our attorneys to find innovative solutions in times of true crisis. We are nationally renowned for our creative and aggressive approaches that often resolve bet-the-company issues in our clients’ favor before they become public.
We have successfully guided our clients through a variety of threats: from global medical outbreaks, to regulatory attacks that threaten to shatter reputations, to government investigations and potentially bankrupting interruptions due to disasters. In each instance, we bring our hallmark creativity, foresight, and insights to rapidly developing crises and develop a strategy that uniquely meets the client’s objectives.
Experience
Representing Sonder, an Airbnb-style apartment/hotel company, in connection with formulating and executing on a comprehensive strategy for obtaining critical lease concessions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including rent deferrals or abatements and early lease terminations, across a portfolio of more than 100 properties throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Secured reversal of initial New York State decision declining “essential business exception” for client subject to COVID-19 shutdown; obtained California essential business designations for multiple tech clients; proactively counseled clients on their contractual rights and remedies in light of COVID-19.
Defeated SEC’s contempt action against Elon Musk for alleged improper tweeting. (See “How Hueston Hennigan Steered Tesla’s Musk to Safety,” American Lawyer, “a clear win for Musk’s lawyer, John Hueston, in a faceoff against the SEC”).(2019)
Prevailed in a $40 billion battle for corporate control of Viacom on behalf of controlling shareholder and Chairman Emeritus Sumner Redstone, which was waged in the courts of Delaware, Massachusetts, and California.
Won high-stakes TROs for Western Digital against Toshiba to ensure continued operation of multibillion-dollar semiconductor fabrication facility.
In re LodgeNet Interactive Corp.: Represented SONIFI Solutions, Inc., one of the largest providers of interactive media services to the hospitality and healthcare industries, in the successful defense of an action brought in federal bankruptcy court to enjoin a critical debt transaction, obtaining a complete dismissal.
Obtained criminal declination in investigation of Southern California Edison for its alleged role in triggering one of California’s largest wildfires.
Secured a $5.15 billion settlement after trial for the Tronox Trust in consolidated national litigation against Anadarko Petroleum Company and Kerr McGee Corporation for fraudulent transfer of massive environmental, tort, retiree and other liabilities.
Represented the University of California Board of Trustees in a high-profile internal investigation of the Office of the President related to alleged improper activity in response to a state audit. The result of this work led to corrective actions within the Office of the President.
Representing Navajo Nation in a CERCLA and tort action against the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other responsible parties with regard to exposure of the Navajo Nation’s people, water and lands to contaminants from the Gold King Mine disaster.
Obtained dismissals and defeated TROs in high-stakes trade secrets cases, including Broadcom v. SpaceX and Teva v. Amgen.
On the eve of trial, and after four years of investigation and litigation, obtained dismissal of all felony federal charges against a subsidiary of Waste Management, America’s largest environmental services provider, and two of its managers.
Obtained dismissal of a criminal mortgage fraud indictment after evidentiary hearings for prosecutorial misconduct; the Dallas County district attorney was held in contempt. (See “Hill Wins, Watkins Loses,” Dallas Morning News).
Reversed an initial SEC charging decision and terminated an insider trading and tipping investigation into a Goldman Sachs banker with alleged ties to Galleon Group.
Obtained declination of civil and criminal investigations for alleged immigration and visa violations by a Fortune 500 company.
Terminated criminal and parallel civil investigations targeting the CEO of a Fortune 500 medical device manufacturer for alleged complicity in an off-label promotion scheme and false and misleading public statements and filings regarding the device development.
Resolved a tristate attorneys general investigation into alleged false advertising by a Fortune 500 health care company without fines or penalties.
Resolved high profile federal investigation of alleged celebrity privacy breaches at UCLA without charges or fines.
