Leading trial lawyers in United States

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Evan Chesler Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Cementing his legendary status as a top US litigator, New York-based Evan Chesler is among only a handful in the nation who regularly and successfully tries bet-the-company cases across a broad range of practice areas and industries. The veteran achieved a monumental trial win in April 2022, representing Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the directors board in a matter concerning the acquisition of SolarCity, defeating a stockholder derivative action seeking $13 billion in damages. Chesler also secured a precedential Ninth Circuit decision for Starz Entertainment in July 2022, a ground-breaking decision regarding the interpretation of the Copyright Act.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Karen DunnPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. A highly celebrated and accomplished litigator nationwide, Karen Dunn is renowned for handling the most complex and high-value cases on behalf of major global powerhouses including the likes of Apple, Uber, Oracle and Amazon. Dunn recently won a major victory for Amazon regarding a challenge to the company’s fair-pricing policy, when the DC Superior Court dismissed the case in March 2022. Located in DC, she will be in court again in the Spring of 2023 for a pro bono representation of children abused at the Washington Hebrew Congregation.


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Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

David LenderWeil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Having established himself as a leading trial lawyer, New York-based David Lender continues to secure high-stakes verdicts and try a wide range of bet-the-company class action and complex commercial disputes, including antitrust, bankruptcy and patent cases. As well as a diverse range of major corporations including AIG, GE, and ExxonMobil, Lender is representing several minor league baseball teams in connection with breach of contract and antitrust litigation brought by MLB.


King & Spalding LLP

Randy Mastro King & Spalding LLP. After leaving Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in August 2022, Randy Mastro has experienced an invigorated practice as one of the nation’s best trial lawyers for civil cases, securities litigation, and white collar criminal matters. In litigation pending before the New York Supreme Court, Mastro represents Maddison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. against a challenge brought by a law firm regarding MSG’s policy of excluding lawyers who are actively suing them. Mastro is based in the firm’s New York office.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Diane SullivanWeil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Splitting her time between New Jersey and New York, Diane Sullivan is renowned for her ability to try complex commercial, antitrust, patent, mass tort, and class action cases in jurisdictions all across the US. In September 2022, Sullivan won a significant jury verdict for Altria and Philip Morris USA regarding e-vapor technology patent infringement, the case is worth more than $100m in past damages and potentially hundreds more in future royalties. She will appear as lead trial counsel in Delaware in March 2023, representing Repsol in a $14 billion multi-jurisdictional litigation concerning potential liability for polluting the Passaic River.


Winston & Strawn LLP

Dan WebbWinston & Strawn LLP. One of the most distinguished and sought-after trial lawyers in the US, Chicago-based Dan Webb’s practice focuses on major commercial, civil, regulatory, and white-collar criminal cases. Achieving an abundance of success in 2022, Webb obtained a complete plaintiff verdict and $100m in damages for Versata Software in its trade secrets litigation against Ford Motor Co. in November. Webb also served as Special Prosecutor in State of Illinois v Jussie Smollett, a high-profile successful prosecution of the actor in Chicago regarding felony charges.

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Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Theodore WellsPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. A highly revered trial litigator across the US, Theodore Wells’ reputation was only strengthened by his success in one of the largest environmental disputes ever tried, achieving a favorable settlement for ExxonMobil against an unprecedented $9 billion natural resource damage claim brought by the State of New Jersey. The high-stakes cases look set to continue into 2023 as Wells is a sought after first-chair in a number of major trials, including defending Steven E. Schwartz in a high-profile criminal and civil action brought by the DOJ and SEC respectively, concerning an alleged violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. His practice operates out of New York.


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Wilkinson Stekloff

Beth WilkinsonWilkinson Stekloff. Beth Wilkinson is a founding partner and DC-based trial lawyer who has developed an extremely impressive record before the nation’s federal and state courts, handling numerous bet-the-company and multibillion-dollar cases. Recent standout matters include representing Altria Group Inc. in an administrative trial before the FTC, responding to allegations of violated antitrust laws during the $12.8 billion purchase of a minority interest in JLI.


Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Greg AndresDavis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Co-head of the firm’s white collar defense and investigations group, New York-based Greg Andres has handled hundreds of complex cases concerning financial and securities fraud, antitrust, legal malpractice, terrorism, and organized crime. 2022 proved to be another highly-active year for Andres, playing a crucial role in the team that secured a rare dismissal of criminal antitrust charges against former executive of Pilgrim’s Pride Jason McGuire.

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Gibbs & Bruns LLP

Robin GibbsGibbs & Bruns LLP. With half a century of experience in high-stakes litigation, Houston-based Robin Gibbs’ practice focuses exclusively on business and commercial litigation across a broad range of areas including contract, antitrust, trade secret, energy and securities. Also adept in the field of construction disputes, Gibbs recently recorded another significant win for Enterprise Products Operating in a lawsuit against Amec Foster, in which after years of prolonged litigation, Enterprise received a settlement of $115 million in April 2022.

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Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

William IsaacsonPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. A trial strategist whose practice is characterized by the impact and complexity of his cases, DC-based William Isaacson handles a steady stream of commercial, IP, pro bono, and antitrust matters. Isaacson has represented giant clients such as Amazon and Uber in a number of significant antitrust cases, recently recording a significant win for the former when the DC Superior Court dismissed the Attorney General’s lawsuit regarding pricing policies. Additionally, Isaacson secured a $124 million victory for Oracle regarding a complex copyright infringement claim.



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Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Brad S. Karp Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Firm chairman and New York-based Brad S. Karp represents the world’s most important global banks, PE firms, corporations, and sports leagues in high-stakes business disputes. In a significant case for future litigations concerning SPAC transactions, Karp is representing former directors of Churchill Capital Corp. in connection with a stockholder class action regarding Churchill’s $1 billion merger with MultiPlan Corp.


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Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP

Marc KasowitzKasowitz Benson Torres LLP. New York-based Marc Kasowitz is one of the nation’s preeminent trial lawyers, active across the gamut of commercial litigation from antitrust and banking to environmental and breach of contract; also having extensive experience of dealing with investigations and lawsuits brought by state attorneys general. Recent highlights include achieving a favorable settlement for client Pilgrim’s Pride, one of the largest chicken producers in the US and embroiled in a high-profile price fixing allegation.

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Gibbs & Bruns LLP

Kathy PatrickGibbs & Bruns LLP. Houston-based Kathy Patrick is noted for the depth and breadth of her practice, representing a diverse range of clients including Occidental Petroleum Corp., ExxonMobil and BlackRock. As well as assisting clients pursuing recoveries for securities fraud internationally, she has extensive commercial experience representing clients enforce leveraged buyouts, construction contracts, and corporate indemnities. Patrick currently acts as lead trial counsel for Target and a large group of retailers in a complex antitrust matter against Visa and Mastercard, with the plaintiffs seeking damages in excess of $17 billion.

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Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

John QuinnQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. Founding partner and operating out of the Los Angeles office, John Quinn brings nearly three decades of experience succeeding in complex litigation across the US. Quinn continues to be involved in a number of fascinating high-profile disputes, including in the sporting sector, acting as lead counsel to LIV Golf and a number of professional golfers in an antitrust action against the PGA Tour Inc. Quinn is also highly active in the financial sector, representing a number of major investment funds including Chatham Asset Management and Softbank Vision Fund.

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Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Daniel Slifkin Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Continuing to establish his reputation for handling complex and novel litigation, Daniel Slifkin regularly appears before state and federal courts throughout the US, having represented financial powerhouses JPMorgan and Vivendi in high-stakes securities matters. A recent standout matter involved representing the Tesla board of directors and CEO Elon Musk, securing a complete trial victory in a $13 billion stockholder derivative action related to the company’s acquisition of SolarCity. Slifkin is located in the firm’s New York office.

Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello P.C.

Elkan AbramowitzMorvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello P.C. One of the nation’s most sought after white-collar law experts, New York-based Elkan Abramowitz has built a career representing prominent clients facing high-stakes personal and professional cases. The list of clients Abramowitz represents is as impressive as it is extensive, encompassing the chamber of the office of the governor of New York and the CEO of American Media Inc.

Testimonials

‘Elkan Abramowitz is simply superb. He has vast experience and a wonderful human approach.’

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Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Barry BerkeKramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Based in New York, Barry Berke is revered as one of the nation’s top white collar criminal defense attorneys, regularly representing high-profile clients in sensitive litigation, trials and investigations. In an extremely high-profile case which is scheduled for trial in January 2023, Berke will be defending the former Lieutenant Governor of New York Brian Benjamin against bribery and wire fraud charges brought by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Latham & Watkins LLP

Andrew ClubokLatham & Watkins LLP. Global chair of the firm’s securities litigation & professional liability practice, Andrew Clubok boasts an extensive track record of complete defense verdicts and dismissals of class actions, derivative lawsuits and arbitrations. 2022 has seen another strong year for Clubok, handling the ground-breaking defense of pharmaceutical company Puma Biotechnology, in the first federal securities class action to reach a verdict in nearly a decade. Clubok splits his time between Washington DC and New York.

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Morrison Foerster

Arturo GonzálezMorrison Foerster. Based in the firm’s San Francisco office, Arturo González represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of litigation including commercial, class actions and mass torts, patents, and trade secrets. The last year has seen Gonzáles heavily active once again, winning a summary judgment on behalf of technology company Lime in a highly contested breach of contract action, as well as representing a number of former Wisk Aero employees in a high-profile trade secret misappropriation case.


Winston & Strawn LLP

Abbe LowellWinston & Strawn LLP. Co-chair of the firm’s white collar, regulatory defense and investigations practice, Abbe Lowell regularly represents high-profile corporate and individual clients in matters of national and international significance. Lowell has recent victories in abundance, one of which involved successfully defending Matthew Grimes against criminal charges of being an unregistered agent of a foreign government, securing a complete acquittal from the Jury. Lowell is based out of Washington DC.


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Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

David MarriottCravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. With a forté that includes IP, securities and antitrust, employment, and other business disputes, New York-based David Marriott has tried numerous high-profile cases in recent years, including representing Qualcomm before the US International Trade Commission in litigation against tech giant Apple. In a case which concerned the first vertical merger challenge brought by the Federal Trade Commission in 40 years, Marriott secured an unprecedented trial win for Illumina in September 2022, defending Illumina’s $8 billion acquisition of cancer treatment company GRAIL.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Craig Martin Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. Regularly appearing as lead counsel in trials and appeals before both state and federal courts, Chicago-based Craig Martin has a broad base of expertise from antitrust and patent litigation to commercial contract and trade disputes. In a significant case before the Supreme Court, Martin represented Northwestern University in a proposed class action that accused the university of mismanaging workers’ retirement savings. He also continues to represent Provisur Technologies, the food slicing and packaging giant, in high-stakes global patent infringement litigation against its primary competitor Weber Inc.

Testimonials

‘Craig Martin is a star in the courtroom and the boardroom; he has assembled a great team behind him, too.’

‘Craig Martin is smart, responsive and pragmatic, with not a shred of arrogance. He spends the time to get to know his client’s business and the things that make them tick, which is invaluable when in the presence of internal business clients.’

Winston & Strawn LLP

Tom MelsheimerWinston & Strawn LLP. A thriving practice which balances both public service as a federal prosecutor and private practice, Tom Melsheimer’s practice focuses on a broad array of areas including white-collar defense and government investigations, antitrust, environmental, securities, and IP litigation. 2022 proved to be another impressive year for Melsheimer, who in April achieved a complete acquittal for Davita CEO Kent Thiry, involved in a criminal non-solicitation case which alleged a labor-related “no poach” illegal agreement. Melsheimer’s practice is based in Dallas.

Testimonials

‘Tom Melsheimer is the very best.’

 

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MoloLamken LLP

Steven MoloMoloLamken LLP . Regularly called upon to serve as lead counsel when it is clear that a matter is proceeding to trial, New York-based Steven Molo is a go-to advocate for high-stakes white collar matters, representing both major government officials and senior executives. In a highly significant trial scheduled for February 2023, Molo will represent Anywhere Real Estate in a $1.5 billion antitrust class action, with potentially significant ramifications for real-estate brokers across the US.

Testimonials

‘Steven Molo is hands-down one of the best litigators to work with, he is a force to be reckoned with.’

 

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Daniel PetrocelliO'Melveny & Myers LLP. Chairing the firm’s trial practice from Los Angeles, Daniel Petrocelli’s practice spans the nation and covers a broad range of areas including sports, entertainment, IP, employment, and criminal defense.

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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Orin SnyderGibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Co-chair of the firm’s global trial practice and former federal prosecutor Orin Snyder is a prolific litigator, representing clients from a diverse range of industries, including tech powerhouses Meta, PayPal, and Pinterest. On the 6th April 2022, Snyder led for AMC Network in a sweeping summary judgment victory concerning a high-stakes lawsuit brought by the executive producers of the hit television show The Walking Dead. Snyder is based in the firm’s New York office.

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Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Peter BicksOrrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Based in New York, Peter Bicks‘ hallmark is the diversity of cases he tries, from high-stakes IP litigation and commercial disputes to major torts and product liability cases. Bicks continues to achieve success for major clients, having represented Silvio Scaglia, owner of the world’s largest modeling company Elite Worldwide Group, in a shareholder dispute regarding Freedom Holding that resulted in a complete trial win for Scaglia

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Williams & Connolly LLP

Dane ButswinkasWilliams & Connolly LLP. A particularly versatile commercial litigator, Washington DC-based Dane Butswinkas has extensive experience defending major clients across the pharmaceutical, medical, food, and telecoms sectors, with particular expertise in financial services. His reputation has seen him sought after by pharma giant AstraZeneca in complex products liability litigation, with a bellwether trial occuring before the District Court of New Jersey in November 2022.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Jay CohenPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. As well as expertise in commercial and antitrust litigation, New York-based Jay Cohen brings more than two decades of experience first-chairing precedent-setting media and entertainment disputes, especially in the cable and music industries. Cohen has been a trusted representative to several significant organizations in the music industry throughout the years, regularly acting as lead counsel and securing favorable outcomes for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the National Musical Publishers’ Association (NMPA).


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Greenberg Traurig LLP

Lori CohenGreenberg Traurig, LLP. Co-chair of the firm’s global litigation practice and trial practice group, Atlanta-based Lori Cohen is especially renowned for her expertise regarding product liability, mass tort and class actions, having won close to 60 defense verdicts at trial for global pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Her expertise will be required moving into 2023, as Cohen will represent Teva Pharmaceuticals in several multidistrict, mass tort, and other litigations arising from the Class I drug recall for the medication Valsartan.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Sandra Goldstein Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Boasting an impressive client roster which includes 3G Capital, Barnes & Noble, and IBM, Sandra Goldstein has a particularly broad practice, with a particular focus on securities, M&A, and commercial disputes. In an impressive recent matter, Goldstein won dismissal of a securities class action litigation on behalf of client Textron, securing a favorable settlement in July on remand. Goldstein is located in the firm’s New York office.

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Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

Tarek IsmailGoldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP. Founding partner and leader of the firm’s litigation practice, Tarek Ismail is highly respected for his skill leading on complex commercial cases for major corporations, especially in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. In complex litigation which involved tens of thousands of cases nationwide, Ismail acted as trial counsel for Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon in the transvaginal-mesh products liability litigation, eventually achieving a summary judgment in favor of Ethicon affirmed on appeal in June 2022. Ismail is based in Chicago.

Testimonials

‘Tarek Ismail is the smartest person, not just lawyer, I have ever met. He is one of the top trial lawyers in the country, hands down.’

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Winston & Strawn LLP

Jeffrey KesslerWinston & Strawn LLP. In New York, Jeffrey Kessler has litigated and tried on numerous landmark antitrust and sports cases, recording several high-profile wins in recent years against sporting bodies including the NCAA. 2022 continued in a similar vein as Kessler co-led a team which defended WME Sports, a subsidiary of Endeavor, against tortious-interference claims filed by competitor Excel Sports Management.

Testimonials

‘Jeffrey Kessler is always very well prepared for trial and leads clients seamlessly through the process.’

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Winston & Strawn LLP

George LombardiWinston & Strawn LLP. In Chicago, George Lombardi is highly active in significant and often precedential cases across a broad range of areas which includes IP, bet-the-company, antitrust, and consumer protection; with an equally broad sector focus that spans from life sciences and pharmaceuticals to consumer products and tobacco. In a recent standout matter before Oregon state court, Lombardi achieved a unanimous jury verdict for Monsanto Company in a Roundup product liability trial, the most widely used herbicide in the world.

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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Lynn NeunerSimpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Global co-chair of the firm's litigation department, New York-based Lynn Neuner is a prominent trial lawyer with in-depth expertise in the areas of commercial, securities, and insurance litigation, as well advertising disputes. In a fascinating on-going matter, Neuner has been defending The Toronto-Dominion Bank in a case concerning the Robert Stanford trial proceedings and the second largest Ponzi scheme in history, with an expected three month trial scheduled to begin in the Southern District of Texas in February 2023.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Ashok RamaniDavis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Head of IP litigation and based in California, Ashok Ramani’s practice focuses on patent and trade-secret litigation and investigations for both defendants and plaintiffs. Recent highlights include a trial victory for Magnolia Medical in the District of Delaware, acting as lead counsel in complex patent litigation against Magnolia’s sole competitor in the field of Initial Specimen Diversion Devices.

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Gibbs & Bruns LLP

Barrett ReasonerGibbs & Bruns LLP. A quintessential generalist trial lawyer, Houston-based Barrett Reasoner’s practice focuses on complex commercial disputes across a broad array of areas, including securities, energy, construction, environmental, and IP. Reasoner continues to handle a number of high-stakes mandates, including representing Trustmark National Bank before the Southern District of Texas in a trial scheduled for February 2023, the case concerns three lawsuits related to the collapse of Stanford Financial Group and alleged damages in excess of $5 billion.

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Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

Charles VerhoevenQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. Co-chair of the firm’s national intellectual property litigation practice, San Francisco-based Charles Verhoeven has a proven track record representing a plethora of tech giants including Google, Samsung, and Yahoo!. Whilst IP litigation can be considered a speciality for Verhoeven, he brings extensive expertise across a broad range of areas from antirust and competition to patents and trade secret litigation.

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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Jonathan YoungwoodSimpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Located in New York, Jonathan Youngwood is co-chair of the firm's litigation department and leads the civil securities litigation practice. He brings over 25 years of experience representing major corporations and directors in high-stakes commercial litigations, arbitrations, investigations and regulatory matters. Youngwood was able to use his considerable experience on behalf of SeaWorld Entertainment in June 2022, successfully resolving a federal securities class action lawsuit ahead of the scheduled trial for September.

Irell & Manella LLP

Morgan ChuIrell & Manella LLP

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Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C.

Mark HansenKellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C.

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Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP

Robert Van NestKeker, Van Nest & Peters LLP

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Beck Redden

David BeckBeck Redden

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Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Michael DellKramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Keller/Anderle LLP

Jennifer KellerKeller/Anderle LLP

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McGuireWoods LLP

Ava Lias-Booker McGuireWoods LLP

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Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Gary NaftalisKramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Berg & Androphy

James QuinnBerg & Androphy

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Steptoe LLP

Reid WeingartenSteptoe LLP

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