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
Obtained dismissal of complaint against Board of Directors and advised on strategy leading to dismissal of sexual harassment claims against Activision arising from highly publicized investigations and regulatory actions relating to workplace harassment claims. (See “Behind California’s Surrender on Activision Blizzard,” Wall Street Journal).
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”).
Representing the State of Hawaii and advising the Governor and Attorney General, secured a historic global settlement exceeding $4 billion which—in less than one year—resolved all claims stemming from the Aug. 8, 2023 Maui wildfires, one of the largest natural disasters in the state’s history with over 100 deaths. Lead counsel in the design and creation of a uniquely tailored $175 million fund for families of the wildfire victims. Organized various defendants to participate in the fund, which will provide quick and certain relief to wrongful death and personal injury plaintiffs who choose to opt in. Separately, we are working closely with the governor and his team to develop legislation in response to the wildfires. Our role also includes supervision and involvement in all investigations, which have included representation of the state’s witnesses who testified at the Congressional hearings investigating the cause of the catastrophic wildfires. (See “Hawaii Inks $4B Maui Wildfires Deal Ahead of Anniversary,” Law360; “Battle with insurers follows $4.03B Maui fire settlement,” Daily Journal; “Who Were the Attorneys Behind the $4B Hawaii Wildfire Settlement?” Law.com).
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. (See “The King of Content: Sumner Redstone’s Battle for Viacom, CBS, and Everlasting Control of His Media Empire,” Harper Business; “Redstone Family Prevails in Fight for Viacom,” The Hollywood Reporter).
Representing the State Bar of California in a fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract lawsuit against ProctorU, dba as Meazure Learning, the vendor that administered the February 2025 bar exam, which was widely reported as having widespread and pervasive problems. (See “California State Bar files lawsuit against exam vendor after botched tests,” Los Angeles Times; “California State Bar Sues Testing Vendor Over Botched February Exam, Law.com; “California Bar says it has sued vendor over exam meltdown,” Reuters; “California Bar Sues Exam Vendor ProctorU Over February Crash,” Bloomberg; “Calif. Bar Sues Administrator Over February Exam ‘Chaos’,” Law360).
Restored over $150 million in cancelled orders through expedited motions practice for Intrivo, the highest rated U.S. Covid test manufacturer and distributor. (See “Access Bio Accused Of Breaching $120M COVID Test Kit Deal,” Law360).
Defeated action seeking to enjoin the country’s largest integrated health care system from enforcing COVID-19 vaccine policy. Plaintiffs purporting to represent 4,000 employees alleged that company’s vaccine policy violated federal and state law. Obtained a ruling denying Plaintiffs’ TRO and preliminary injunction motions in their entirety, leading to a complete dismissal of the case. (See “Kaiser Permanente Employees Denied Relief from Vaccine Mandate,” Bloomberg Law).
Achieved a highly favorable confidential settlement for an AmLaw 50 firm facing threats of public claims of widespread sexual discrimination in partnership compensation with alleged $250 million in damages.
Prevailed on a preliminary injunction in favor of CEO and co-founder of major social networking app to maintain his control over company and prevent his unlawful termination. Thereafter obtained a nine-figure settlement on the eve of international arbitration hearing after the majority shareholder attempted to seize control of the company.
Successfully defended SpaceX against multiple TRO applications related to Starlink broadband internet system. Action was brought by a competitor asserting misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition claims in relation to SpaceX’s revolutionary satellite-based internet system. Defeated TRO and PI applications and successfully blocked trade secret discovery, leading to a highly favorable settlement.
Won high-stakes TROs for Western Digital against Toshiba to ensure continued operation of multibillion-dollar semiconductor fabrication facility. (See “The Toshiba Memory Sale Is Dead–Western Digital Will Benefit,” Seeking Alpha).
Representing a billion-dollar apartment/hotel company in formulating and executing on a comprehensive strategy across a large portfolio of leases impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (See “Sonder Becomes Travel’s Newest Billion-Dollar Brand After Raising $225 Million For Its Airbnb-Style Hospitality Business,” Forbes).
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.
Successfully defended SONIFI Solutions, Inc. — one of the largest providers of interactive media services — against an action brought in federal bankruptcy court to enjoin a critical debt transaction, obtaining a complete dismissal (In re LodgeNet Interactive Corp.).
Obtained a preliminary injunction for ClearOne Inc. in a patent infringement suit in Illinois federal court, enjoining rival Shure Incorporated’s manufacture, marketing, and sale of a competing, infringing product. Successfully defeated requests for TRO and PI against ClearOne Inc.’s beamforming microphone array products brought by rival Shure Incorporated in Delaware federal court. (See “Court Won’t Clear Redesigned Product In Microphone IP Suit,” Law360; “ClearOne gets an injunction, Shure vows to fight on,” AV Nation).
Obtained multiple criminal declinations in investigation of Southern California Edison for its alleged role in triggering two of California’s largest wildfires, with total claims in excess of $7 billion. (See “Southern California Edison will not be prosecuted for its role in sparking the Woolsey fire,” Los Angeles Times; “Southern California Edison will not face criminal charges for role in sparking deadly Woolsey Fire,” NY Daily News).
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. (See “UC regents admonish UC President Janet Napolitano for approval of interference in state audit,” Los Angeles Times).
Obtained broad injunctions for CoreLogic Solutions, Inc. in a breach of contract and trade secrets case restricting former employees and executives who departed for competitor.
Obtained declination of high profile civil and criminal investigations for alleged immigration and visa violations by a Fortune 500 company.
Obtained a preliminary injunction for Freedom for Immigrants (FFI) in an important, closely watched, First Amendment case, ordering U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement to restore FFI’s National Immigration Detention Hotline, which was featured in the popular Netflix show Orange is the New Black. (See “Settlement reached after ICE ended immigrant hotline seen in ‘Orange Is the New Black,’” NBC News; “Immigration Detention Hotline Featured in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Restored,” The Hollywood Reporter).
Resolved high profile federal investigation of alleged celebrity privacy breaches at UCLA without charges or fines.