Insurance: advice to policyholders

Leading trial lawyers Tier 2

Marc Kasowitz - Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP Based in New York, Marc Kasowitz is highly regarded for his role in complex financial litigation. Recently, he acted for MBIA, one of the world's largest monoline insurers, as trial counsel in a put-back action against Credit Suisse, seeking to recover over $740m; the court's decision is pending. In another significant matter, Kasowitz successfully defended Howard Myers, Chairman of Eco-Bat Technologies, against allegations concerning breach of contract, fraud and racketeering brought by investment funds.

Securities litigation: plaintiff Tier 2

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP in New York built a substantial presence in the securities litigation market with a string of victories against banks such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and RBS Securities in cases concerning complex financial assets including mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and asset-backed securities. It remains a leading firm for securities fraud and opt-out cases on behalf of prominent hedge funds, mutual funds and pension funds. The 'responsive, knowledgeable and creative' Stephen Tountas, who leads the practice along with Sheron Korpus and Michael Hanin, is handling on-going cases against Valeant Pharmaceuticals concerning allegations that the company misled shareholders regarding its core business model. Up-and-coming partner Uri Itkin has a growing amount of first-chair experience in cases for asset managers and funds.

General commercial disputes Tier 3

Based in New York, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP has particular strength in financial services litigation and real estate disputes. Among the team's recent highlights, founding partner Marc Kasowitz is representing MBIA in a long-running put-back action against Credit Suisse in which MBIA is seeking to recover over $740m. Highly regarded for his trial and appellate practice, Paul O’Connor is frequently engaged by real estate developers and investors in federal and state court disputes. Paul Burgo is recognized for his ongoing work for former president Donald Trump in multiple disputes, including a defamation suit in New York Court of Appeals. Jennifer Recine is also recommended.

Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4

The team at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP is differentiated by its focus on bankruptcy-related litigation; all practitioners are experienced litigators and stand out for their exceptional courtroom skills. Based in New York, the group is known for its representation of hedge funds, private equity firms, bondholders, secured lenders and other creditors, and frequently acts for investors in distressed companies in matters including fraudulent conveyance, avoidance, breach of fiduciary duty, and valuation litigation. David Rosner heads up the practice and is supported by seasoned lawyers Adam Shiff and Andrew Glenn. The firm's bankruptcy litigation capabilities extend across a full range of sectors, with recent work highlights covering the transport, pharmaceutical and energy industries, among others.

Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 5

Based in New York, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP represents defendants in a full range of cases, including price-fixing, bid-rigging, tying, exclusive dealing and monopolization. Hector Torres and vastly experienced regulatory expert Kevin Arquit jointly head the practice alongside trial specialist Sheron Korpus, a 'smart, strategic, trustworthy, and easy-going but a fierce and effective advocate'. A trusted firm for bet-the-company antitrust cases, the group has experience in a huge variety of sectors, as evidenced by its recent work, which has covered shipping, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, manufacturing, agricultural, tech, telecoms and publishing.

Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP acts for plaintiffs and defendants, mainly in the technology, electronics and life sciences sectors, with a particularly good track record in on-demand telecoms services and interactive web technologies as well as in disputes arising from patents covering pharmaceutical products. Active in patent litigation venues across the country, the practice has accrued extensive experience in disputes brought before the district court of the Western District of Texas. Led by Jonathan Waldrop in the Silicon Valley office, the group includes a number of practitioners with advanced science degrees, for example in biochemistry, molecular biology and chemical engineering. The New York office is the firm's other patent litigation hub.

Real estate Tier 5

An active name in the dirt transactional field, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP serves as counsel on single-asset and portfolio deals, financings, workouts and restructurings and major leases at office and retail sites. The team is also acclaimed for its ‘impressive breadth of knowledge in development-related matters’, with extensive experience in office, residential, mixed-use and shopping center projects, including those initiated by joint venture agreements. Another area of strength for the team is the ‘strong real estate litigation’ capability, a particular forte of ‘exceptional’ practice head David Skezer. The team is primarily focused on the New York market, though it is also engaged in matters across the US, most recently in Miami, Pennsylvania and California.

Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP focuses on government, internal and independent investigations, and is also noted for its expertise in regulatory compliance and various other white-collar matters. Daniel Fetterman is a former federal prosecutor, who acts for international companies and senior executives in criminal investigations and civil conflicts. San Francisco-based Lyn Agre focuses on antitrust and FCPA matters, and has also represented clients in matters involving the SEC. Also recommended is former US Senator Joseph Lieberman, a contact for independent and internal investigations, public policy issues and regulatory matters. Marc Kasowitz serves as firm chairman. All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.