John Schreiber > Winston & Strawn LLP > Los Angeles, United States > Lawyer Profile

The ‘outstanding trial team’ at Winston & Strawn LLP occupies a notable niche in SPAC transaction-related disputes and is also adept at handling merger suits with cross-border elements, in addition to defending companies and their directors and officers against breach of fiduciary duty allegations. Heading the firm’s securities litigation team is New York’s James Smith, who led the defense of Cantor Fitzgerald in the face of claims it breached multiple provisions of the Exchange Act in the de-SPAC merger between CF Finance Acquisition Corp. II and View, Inc., securing a dismissal with prejudice in April 2024. Chicago-based William O’Neil stands out for his expertise in representing strategic acquirers in M&A disputes, while John Schreiber, who splits his time between Los Angeles and New York, continues to represent Oaktree Capital Management in a matter alleging it failed to abide by an asset purchase agreement.

The team at Winston & Strawn LLP provides a credible threat to a well-resourced Plaintiff Bar, regularly securing early victories at a pleadings stage, as well as achieving favorable settlements, including on the eve of trials. The team, which is led from New York by James Smith, also stands out for its collaborative approach, frequently drawing upon key resources from complementary areas, including M&A, capital markets and white-collar, to best serve a client base that includes some high-profile public companies, financial institutions, and asset managers. Los Angeles-based attorney John Schreiber has experience in matters relating to securities fraud, including in the federal courts and the Delaware Court of Chancery. As part of his broad-ranging aptitude at handling business disputes, Chicago-based trial lawyer William O’Neil regularly advises public companies and private equity sponsors on securities matters, most frequently in the context of M&A disputes. In Los Angeles, Jeffrey Steinfeld is particularly skilled at handling work at the intersection of securities and fintech, including his representation for interested parties as amicus curiae in an important case relating to whether or not digital assets are considered to be securities.