Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP > San Francisco, United States > Firm Profile
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP Offices
101 CALIFORNIA STREET
SUITE 2300
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
CALIFORNIA
United States
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
- Lawyer Profiles
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 2
Marc Kasowitz – Kasowitz 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. Sheron Korpus – Kasowitz Benson Torres LLPWork highlights
Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: plaintiff Tier 2
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP in New York is one of few firms that handles both plaintiff and defense work in the securities litigation arena, giving it a rare perspective on what it takes to settle successfully resolve a case. It frequently handles bet-the-company matters on behalf of institutional investors such as hedge funds, international banks and foreign sovereigns, against major financial institutions. Renowned litigator Marc Kasowitz ‘has a great reputation in securities litigation’ and continues to be involved in high-profile matters. A prime example is his work for MBIA Insurance Corporation in matters against RMBS securitization trusts concerning breaches of representations and warranties made by the sellers and loan originators with respect to defective mortgage loans pooled in these mortgage-backed securitizations. The other key partners in the practice are Sheron Korpus and Michael Hanin, who both acted for investors in Student National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts – securitizations of student loans worth more than $2bn – and Stephen Tountas who is leading the firm’s work for Public Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Mississippi against Valeant Pharmaceuticals, claiming that the company misled shareholders regarding its core business model and improperly accounted for the sales of certain unreported subsidiaries due to the ‘improper conduct’ of certain former officers.Practice head(s):
Sheron Korpus; Michael Hanin; Stephen Tountas
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
U.S. Bank
MBIA Insurance
Gotham Asset Management
Royal Bank of Canada
Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”)
Comcast Corporation
Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi
Federal Housing Finance Agency
MF Global
Davidson Kempner Asset Management
Loreley Financing
Waterfall Asset Management
Angelo Gordon & Co.
ACA Financial Guaranty
UniCredit Bank
Axon Capital
Serengeti Asset Management
Carl Icahn
Work highlights
- Acting as counsel to Cascade Funding, LP-Series 6, an affiliate of asset manager Waterfall Asset Management, in securing summary judgment on Cascade’s breach of contract claim against The Bancorp Bank relating to Cascade’s valid exercise of a “market out” clause in connection with the purchase of a pool of $900 million in mortgage loan assets for securitization in a CRE CLO.
- Representing a group of noteholders in the multi-billion dollar National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts, including Angelo Gordon, Waterfall Asset Management, One William Street Capital Management, and Libremax Capital, in litigations nationwide concerning the management and control of the Trusts, and as interested parties in CFPB enforcement proceedings against the Trusts.
- Pursuing direct securities fraud claims, on behalf of several mutual funds, a public pension plan, and other institutional investors, arising from Valeant’s improper accounting and billions of dollars of fraud-related losses. Kasowitz confidentially resolved the claims that were asserted by the public pension plan due to, in part, our unique winning legal strategy to pursue opt-out claims under the N.J. RICO Act.
Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 3
The team at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP is led by New York-based Mark W. Lerner , who utilizes his experience as a former federal prosecutor to assist clients in litigation. The firm is experienced in several sectors such as transportation, healthcare, and private equity, but is particularly active within real estate, with recent work in this sector including assisting Douglas Elliman in a class action pending in the Superior Court of the State of California. Contacts at the firm also include Jessica Taub Rosenberg , a former Assistant District Attorney with significant experience litigating for senior executives and employers, and Joshua Fulop, who is experienced in all types of employment-related disputes before both federal and state courts.
Practice head(s):
Mark W. Lerner
Other key lawyers:
Joshua Fulop; Jessica Taub Rosenberg; Douglas Elliman
Testimonials
‘Deep knowledge of employment law.’
‘Josh Fulop is extremely thorough and results driven.’
Key clients
Yellow Corporation
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
Douglas Elliman
XPO Logistics
Bregal Partners
Northwell Health
Lumen Technologies/CenturyLink Communications
GXO Logistics
DRAVIER
Marc Fischer Footwear
Waterfall Asset Management
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center
JDS Development Group
Saw Mill Capital
Glazer Capital
Work highlights
- Represented Yellow Corporation in numerous cases involving claims of discrimination and harassment, wage and hour violations, PAGA actions, breach of contract and defamation nationwide.
- Represented Northwell Health Hospitals, NYC’s Lenox Hill Hospital and a MD in litigation and injunction matters.
- Represented Douglas Elliman, one of the largest real estate brokerage firms in the U.S., in all of Elliman’s employment related litigations, administrative claims and disputes across the United States.
Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP is home to extensively experienced practitioners, many of whom have backgrounds in government agencies, and oversees significant criminal and regulatory investigations, for both corporations and individuals. Daniel Fetterman leads the team and is renowned for his white-collar expertise, and he regularly represents domestic and international companies and senior executives in an assortment of internal and criminal investigations. Brian Choi advises boards of directors, companies and individuals who are being investigated by the DOJ and the Securities Exchange Commission, among other regulatory enforcement agencies. Marc Kasowitz routinely acts as national trail counsel in significant commercial litigation in mandates concerning antitrust, banking, corporate governance, and securities. All mentioned individuals are located in New York.Practice head(s):
Daniel Fetterman
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The firm has a deep bench of legal talent for so many complex legal areas.’
‘The talent at the firm is first rate. Dan Fetterman’s knowledge of the SDOM court is extensive. He is also among the best negotiators with whom I have ever worked.
Key clients
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
Teva Pharmaceuticals
Former owner of multiple U.S.-based energy companies
Co-founder of the Fairfield Greenwich Group (“FGG”)
Co-founder of Aberon Capital Management
Former owner of multiple U.S.-based energy companies
Co-founder of the Fairfield Greenwich Group (“FGG”)
Co-founder of Aberon Capital Management
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
Teva Pharmaceuticals
Work highlights
- Representing Pilgrim’s Pride, one of the nation’s largest chicken producers, in resolving criminal antitrust claims relating to the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division’s high-profile investigation into alleged price fixing in the poultry industry.
- Representing Teva Pharmaceuticals in connection with an indictment brought by the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division alleging that Teva participated in three alleged conspiracies to suppress and eliminate competition by agreeing to fix prices, allocate customers, and rig bids for generic drugs.
Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4
New York-based Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP handle a steady stream of work from asset managers, hedge funds and private equity firms, also representing pharma, real estate and energy companies, as well as high net worth individuals. Marc Kasowitz leads a broadly experienced team of litigators: Sheron Korpus boasts over deep experience in the field, Jennifer Recine is noted by clients as highly effective, while Paul Burgo and Kenneth R. David both have extensive knowledge in corporate governance, commercial law, and securities law. UK qualified Rob Rathmell joined the firm’s Washington DC office in July 2022 from Serle Court, along with internationally experienced Jason Short in New York, who arrived in August 2022 from Kobre & Kim.
Practice head(s):
Marc Kasowitz
Other key lawyers:
Sheron Korpus; Jennifer Recine; Paul Burgo; Kenneth R. David; Robin Rathmell; Jason Short
Testimonials
‘Depth of commitment and energy.’
‘I have observed Jennifer Recine in action in two unrelated real estate litigations. She is smart, creative, energetic and effective. Her true-to-herself style works in the courtroom.’
‘Kasowitz is very strong in litigation. The firm can also handle many cases that others can’t as they do not have conflicts with the banks.’
‘Sheron Korpus is the partner we work with. Sheron is very strategic in his approach and has gotten excellent results for us.’
Key clients
BD Hotels and Chelsea Hotel Owner LLC
Carl Icahn
Davidson Kempner Asset Management
Douglas Elliman Realty
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Harbinger Capital
JDS Development Group
Konnech
Liggett Group
Mahindra and Mahindra
Maverick Real Estate Partners
MBIA
MDC Energy
SL Green Realty
State of Hawaii
Tapestry (formerly Coach)
Teva Pharmaceuticals
TPG Capital
Waterfall Asset Management
XPO Logistics
Yellow f/k/a YRC Freight
Work highlights
- Representing SL Green Realty in winning a $185 million arbitration award against HNA Group (International) Company Limited, part of Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, relating to SL Green’s $148 million equity investment in 245 Park Avenue, a marquee office tower in New York City.
- Represented Teva Pharmaceuticals and its directors and officers, negotiating with class counsel a $420 million all-cash settlement to resolve one of the nation’s largest pending securities class actions.
Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 4
The securities litigation practice at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP in New York is ‘incredibly knowledgeable about the cases they work on but what sets them apart is the focus on resolution strategy’. Sheron Korpus, Michael Hanin and Stephen Tountas are the lead partners. Korpus and emerging partner talent Andrew Schwartz ‘work well as a team, Andrew having the detail at his fingertips whilst Sheron is able to focus on the strategy’. They negotiated a $420m settlement in a major securities class action and numerous direct actions for Teva Pharmaceuticals, the world’s largest generic drug manufacturer, which was accused of misleading disclosures regarding the pricing of its drugs. Highlights for Tountas include defending Prem Parameswaran, the former CFO of Eros Int’l, in connection with a putative securities class action arising from a series of alleged misrepresentations.Practice head(s):
Sheron Korpus; Michael Hanin; Stephen Tountas
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Incredibly knowledgeable about the cases they work on but what sets them apart is the focus on resolution strategy’
‘Sheron Korpus and Andrew Schwartz work well as a team, Andrew having the detail at his fingertips whilst Sheron is able to focus on the strategy. They are an incredible team when at mediation and lethal in depositions’.
Key clients
Teva Pharmaceuticals
Howard Meyers, chairman of Eco-Bat Technologies
Prem Parameswaran, the former CFO of Eros Int’l
Pilgrim’s Pride
Work highlights
- Representing Teva Pharmaceuticals and its individual directors and officers in defense of one of the largest securities class actions currently pending as well as the more than 20 related direct actions, filed on behalf of more than 75 opt-out plaintiffs.
- Represented Gerard Hug, the former Chief Executive Officer of SITO Mobile, a mobile data advertising company, in a federal securities fraud civil enforcement action brought by the SEC, alleging that Mr. Hug engaged in fraud by improperly charging expenses to corporate accounts, which caused the company to materially understate Mr. Hug’s executive compensation. The District Court of New Jersey granted Kasowitz’s motion to dismiss the complaint in its entirety.
- Representing Prem Parameswaran, the former CFO of Eros Int’l, in connection with a putative securities class action arising from a series of alleged misrepresentations.
Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4
David Rosner heads Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP’s bankruptcy litigation and restructuring practice, which is well known for its courtroom litigation expertise. The practice has recently represented an ad hoc group of first lien term loan lenders of multibillion dollar healthcare company Envision Healthcare in connection with its ‘liquidity management’ transaction, a key involvement for senior practitioners Marc Kasowitz and Matthew Stein. Kasowitz is a leading trial lawyer, while Stein represents a wide range of clients, including debtors, creditors, statutory and ad hoc committees, indenture trustees, and private equity funds, in connection with complex restructurings, reorganizations, and liquidation proceedings and specializes in litigation arising from distressed situations and leveraged buyouts. Moreover, having joined from A&O Shearman in June 2022, Ken Coleman brings impressive experience in multijurisdictional reorganizations and restructurings. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.Practice head(s):
David Rosner
Other key lawyers:
Ken Coleman; Marc Kasowitz; Matthew Stein; Paul Burgo; Ronald Rossi
Testimonials
‘Bright, dynamic lawyers with command of the law but also good business acumen.’
‘Paul Burgo, Ron Rossi, and David Rosner are excellent.’
Key clients
ACA Financial Guaranty
Ad Hoc Group of First Lien Term Lenders of Envision Healthcare
Ad Hoc Group of noteholders in China Fishery
Aman Group Resorts
Columbia Property Trust and its affiliates 880 Broadway Owner and 880 Broadway Tenant
Contrarian Capital Management
Cyrus Capital Partners
Cyprus Mines
Howard Meyers
Law Debenture Trust Company of New York (Tribune bankruptcy)
MDC Energy
Official Committee of Equity Security Holders of Garrett Motion
Kevin Nystrom, in his capacity as the Litigation Trustee for the UC Litigation Trust for Essar Steel Minnesota
Mudrick Capital Management
Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of TriVascular Sales
Pasig
Renco Group
Robert Gans
Salvatore Lamonica, Chapter 7 Trustee in CIL Limited bankruptcy
Second lien term lenders of Fieldwood Energy, a major offshore oil producer
Strategic Value Partners
USAVflow Limited
Waterfall Asset Management
Work highlights
- Represented an ad hoc group of first lien term loan lenders of Envision Healthcare, a multi-billion dollar healthcare company, in connection with the company’s “liquidity management” transaction.
- Representing in the representation of MDC Energy, the oil and gas subsidiary of MTE, in its high profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
- Represented the senior noteholders in the complex, cross-border bankruptcy of China Fishery Group Limited and its affiliates, which has been widely covered in the press.
Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 4
The intellectual property litigation team at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP acts for prominent tech and pharma companies, regularly representing both plaintiffs and defendants. The team’s extensive experience extends across Hatch-Waxman-related matters and complex patent infringement matters for domestic and international pharma companies, with a standout case being the firm’s representation of Fintiv in its precedent-setting case against Apple. Based in Silicon Valley, Jonathan Waldrop leads the team, frequently representing blue-chip tech companies including Google, Samsung, Adobe, and LG. In the same office, Darcy Jones and Marcus Barber are invaluable members of the team.Practice head(s):
Jonathan Waldrop
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Samsung Electronics
LG
Adobe
WSOU Investments d/b/a Brazos Licensing and Development
Nokia
Intellectual Ventures
ASUS
Verizon
Motorola
Cox Communications
zModo
Fintiv
MV3 Partners
Kroy IP
Leader Development Industrial Corp
Alan Stuart and CDS Development
Work highlights
- Represented WSOU Investments in over forty patent cases against defendants F5 Networks, Canon, NEC, NetGear, OnePlus, and Xilinx, ZTE, among others, in federal court in the Western District of Texas, Western District of Washington, and District of Delaware.
- Represented Fintiv in a case against Apple involving a patent that covers the management of virtual cards stored on mobile devices, including provisioning a contactless card in a mobile device with a mobile wallet application, which is infringed by iPhones, the Apple Watch, and the iOS Wallet app.
- Represented MV3 in its lawsuit against Roku, pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, on appeal from a decision in the Western District of Texas.
Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 5
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP are known for their involvement in large multidistrict and class action litigation, particularly in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and entertainment industries. Acting for defendants, as well as corporate plaintiffs, the firm’s client roster features names such as MLW Media and Teva Pharmaceuticals. The practice is jointly headed up by Hector Torres, who has significant experience in federal and state courts prosecuting antitrust and other commercial cases, and first-chair litigator and trial lawyer Sheron Korpus, who handles commercial, securities and antitrust disputes. All the mentioned attorneys are situated in New York.Practice head(s):
Hector Torres; Sheron Korpus
Key clients
Teva Pharmaceuticals
Ford Motor Company
Pilgrim’s Pride
CEO of Prospero Pharmaceuticals and StoneCorner Group, and Co-Founder of Vyera Pharmaceuticals
CenturyLink
Delicato
MLW Media
Work highlights
- Representing Teva Pharmaceuticals and its US subsidiary Actavis in defending many antitrust class actions brought by private plaintiffs, as well as an antitrust action brought by 48 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, which are consolidated in an MDL in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that allege price-fixing of over 100 generic drugs.
- Representing Pilgrim’s Pride in a criminal price fixing investigation by the Department of Justice relating to the sales of broiler chicken products in the United States.
Real estate Tier 5
David Szeker and Darwin Huang lead the real estate transactional team at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP from New York, handling acquisitions and dispositions of single properties and property portfolios, financings, office and retail leasing and joint venture development. Huang is often instructed by Asian financial institutions, asset management companies and prominent family offices.Practice head(s):
David Szeker
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team has strengths in the different areas we have experienced like litigation, negotiation, financing and other activities related to real estate developments, and are able to provide a complete assistance to developers. As a foreign investor, we also appreciated their ability to introduce us to key players in the market.’
‘David Szeker led the team with a very wise yet reactive and very pragmatic approach.’
‘David Szeker is an extraordinary attorney and business thought partner. He devotes himself to his clients, and is genuinely interested in learning the minutest details about client operations. This attention to detail puts David in the best position to provide superb legal advice, to draft the highest-quality deal documents, and to help consummate deals on behalf of his clients.’
‘They are absolutely dedicated to learning the intricate details of their clients’ business, which then informs the legal services they provide. The KBT real estate group understands that each client is different, has unique needs, and faces unique challenges and opportunities. KBTS learns about its clients and applies that knowledge and learning to the legal services it provides, which results in a superb legal product.’
Key clients
Starwood Property Trust
SL Green
JDS Development
iStar
GFI Capital
Cottonwood Group
Quinlan Development Group
Mollenhour Gross
Korea Investments and Securities
Icon Realty Management
Take-Two Interactive
Douglas Elliman
Young Nian Group
Carlyle
Sterling Town Equities
Nostalgic Partners
Columbia Property Trust
Steiner NYC
Yellowstone Real Estate Investments
Dwight Mortgage Trust
F&T Group,
Relevant Group
Work highlights
- Represented JDS Development in transactional and litigation matters in New York City and Miami, including in connection with its ongoing 9 DeKalb development in Brooklyn, New York, which development is now known as The Brooklyn Tower and is expected to open in 2023.
- Advised Starwood Property Trust in numerous sales and mortgage loan matters of approximately $300 million across the nation, including in North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, California and New Jersey.
- Represented SL Green Realty in a case against HNA Group International, part of Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, involving the ownership of 245 Park Avenue, a commercial marquee office tower in New York City.
Dispute resolution > International litigation
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP > Firm Profile
Kasowitz Benson Torres’ core focus is commercial litigation, complemented by exceptionally strong bankruptcy/restructuring and real estate transactional practices. The firm is known for their creative, aggressive litigators and willingness to take on tough cases. Kasowitz lawyers outthink and outflank their opponents, and understand how to win for their clients. The firm has extensive trial experience and are always trial-ready, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in every area of litigation. Kasowitz is committed to pursuing aggressive and innovative approaches for their clients’ most challenging legal matters.
The firm’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, private equity and other investment firms across a wide range of industries, including significant experience across financial services (banking, investment management and insurance), technology and real estate.
Kasowitz has successfully secured billions of dollars in awards and settlements for their clients, who have recently included:
- Aman Resorts
- BD Hotels
- Centerbridge Partners
- Comcast
- Condé Nast
- Davidson Kempner
- Douglas Elliman
- Elie Tahari
- Energy Transfer Partners
- Fairfax Financial Holdings
- Ford Motor Company
- Georgetown Company
- Harbinger Capital Partners
- Icahn Partners
- Intellectual Ventures
- InterContinental Hotels Group
- Levi-Strauss
- Liggett Group
- MacAndrews & Forbes
- Mahindra & Mahindra
- Major League Wrestling
- Marc Fisher Footwear
- MBIA
- MF Global Holdings
- Morgans Hotel Group
- National Grid
- NJOY
- Nokia
- Northwell Health
- Pilgrim’s Pride
- Purolite
- Renco
- Rescap
- SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
- SL Green
- Starwood Capital
- State of Hawaii
- TerraForm Power
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- The Palm Restaurant
- TPG
- U.S. Bank
- Vector Group
- Waterfall Asset Management
- W.C. Bradley
- XPO Logistics
- Yellow
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Antitrust litigation | Hector Torres | ||
Commercial litigation | Sheron Korpus | ||
Commercial litigation | Marc E. Kasowitz | ||
Creditors rights and bankruptcy | David S. Rosner | ||
Entertainment | John V. Berlinski | ||
Government affairs | Senator Joseph I. Lieberman | ||
Government affairs | Clarine Nardi Riddle | ||
Intellectual property litigation | Jonathan K. Waldrop | ||
Investigations and white-collar defense | Daniel J. Fetterman | ||
Software litigation | Mark P. Ressler | ||
Real estate litigation | Paul M. "Tad" O'Connor | ||
Real estate transactions | David Szeker | ||
Structured finance litigation | Michael A. Hanin | ||
Real estate litigation | Jennifer S. Recine |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Jason S. Takenouchi | Antitrust Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Investigations and White Collar Defense; Plaintiffs’ Litigation; Securities Litigation; State Attorneys General Practice | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of Partners : 79 Total Number of Lawyers : 249Other
Partners : Marc E Kasowitz (mkasowitz@kasowitz.com) Partners : Daniel R Benson (dbenson@kasowitz.com) Partners : Hector Torres (htorres@kasowitz.com)- Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers
- Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: plaintiff