Professionals today face liability claims with increasing frequency and ever-greater stakes. Successful defense in these sensitive matters demands nimble, effective strategies that achieve the desired outcome while maintaining professional reputations.
Years of experience handling professional liability claims have shaped our approach to serving clients. With both trial-readiness and mediation proceedings in mind, we bring swift, assertive action to our clients’ most sensitive and confidential matters. Together, we develop litigation strategies and, when appropriate, negotiate settlements. By vigorously investigating, negotiating, and defending claims, we deliver efficient, effective results for our clients.
At all times, we keep in mind that more is at stake in a professional liability suit than financial loss; our clients’ reputations are on the line, so we work hard to protect each client’s public image while advancing their defense. Our demonstrated success in achieving this goal is why our lawyers have counseled and defended individuals facing allegations involving claims of malpractice or negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and conflicts of interest—as well as claims against international law firms, actuaries, accounting firms, insurance providers, and investment firms.
Experience
Legal
Secured the dismissal of a high-profile conspiracy suit against Kirkland & Ellis and other defendants related to the highly publicized scandal involving former Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Judge David Jones and his undisclosed relationship with a Jackson Walker partner. (See “Big Law Firms Freed From Bankruptcy Judge Romance Suit,” Law360; “Kirkland, Jackson Walker, Ex-Judge Beat Bankruptcy Romance Suit,” Bloomberg Law).
Successfully represented an international, New York-based law firm against a $1.6 billion legal malpractice claim brought by a bankruptcy trustee in federal court in connection with the firm’s drafting of a master lease agreement. The case settled on the eve of trial on highly favorable terms for the client.
Secured a successful resolution for a high-profile litigator on breach of fiduciary duty and other claims brought by his former law firm, as well as the litigator’s counterclaims against the firm.
Won a summary judgment for a leading international law firm in a $20 million lawsuit alleging professional negligence. The court of appeals affirmed the decision.
Achieved a highly favorable settlement for an AmLaw 50 firm facing claims of widespread sexual discrimination in partnership compensation with alleged $250 million in damages.
Represented an AmLaw 25 firm against claims of professional malpractice related to certain Hart-Scott-Rodino filings made on behalf of a global investment firm.
Defending Lewis Brisbois, a national AmLaw 100 firm, in a suit brought by a commercial leasing broker employed by a national real estate services firm who alleges Lewis Brisbois prematurely terminated an exclusive representation agreement to represent Lewis Brisbois leasing offices across the U.S.
Successfully represented an international law firm in a $200 million patent litigation malpractice lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Representing the Wilshire Law Firm against a former contractor and his law firm in a breach of contract case for stealing Wilshire’s clients and withholding Wilshire’s portion of fees for those clients.
Defending international law firm Loeb & Loeb against claims that Loeb assisted a former client to defraud plaintiffs in connection with funding for the marketing and distribution of feature films.
Represented Loeb & Loeb and several of its partners in defending against claims for legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, and fraudulent concealment. The case settled favorably for Loeb following more than a year of discovery.
Obtained a complete dismissal of felony charges against a prominent attorney and former principal of the Jacoby & Meyers law firm. Following our filing of motions to dismiss the indictment and to recuse the D.A.’s Office and prosecutor for misconduct, we obtained a complete dismissal of all charges and a termination of the related proceeding involving Jacoby & Meyers. (See “Criminal Charges Dropped Against Lawyer Accused of Jacoby & Meyers Referral, Insurance Scheme,” The Recorder).
Defeated breach of fiduciary duty claims against the State Bar of California and a former president of the State Bar, defending same against claims of breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and whistleblower retaliation.
Other Representations
Won a complete defense verdict for PricewaterhouseCoopers in a high-profile lawsuit and closely watched federal trial brought by a former employee and SEC whistleblower alleging compromised accounting practices. (See “PwC auditor’s firing wasn’t triggered by SEC complaint: judge,” Reuters).
Achieved a favorable settlement for a leading global professional services company in an $830 million actuarial malpractice lawsuit brought by the city of Houston in connection with the city’s $6.2 billion pension crisis.
Secured a victory for Deloitte Consulting in a qui tam action alleging that Deloitte Consulting had billed San Diego for work it did not perform, exchanged illegal kickbacks, intentionally concealed conflicts of interest, and rigged the City’s bidding system. We won two successive demurrers and obtained dismissal with prejudice.
Terminated an SEC investigation of a leading accounting firm relating to alleged accounting controls failures.
Successfully represented a former chief financial officer of an oil services company against civil and regulatory claims of accounting fraud and insufficient internal accounting controls in a securities class action. The SEC closed its investigation without any charges against the CFO, and the class action was settled on very favorable terms.
Secured the termination of an SEC investigation of a high-level PIMCO officer relating to allegations of misleading investors about the performance of a fund and alleged failure to accurately value certain fund securities.
Obtained $20 million for Pacific Life against Bank of New York Mellon at the summary judgment stage in a breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty matter regarding investment mismanagement, and later obtained an additional $30 million for Pacific Life in a settlement on the eve of trial.
Successfully represented a global professional services company in an $80 million breach of fiduciary duty case, pending in New York federal court, alleging negligent investment advice.