The practice group at Akin is regularly engaged by major industry players seeking representation in appeals in Circuit and Supreme courts nationwide. Particular areas of expertise include IP, Native American law, administrative law, labor law, and financial restructuring cases. The practice is coordinated by Washington, D.C.-based Pratik Shah, who brings to the table experience arguing eighteen cases before the US Supreme Court and over sixty in other appellate courts across the country. A recent standout mandate saw Shah successfully defend the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority against constitutional challenges to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, brought by various states and private groups, in multiple circuits. James Tysse and Julius Chen are additional key contacts at the D.C. office. Aileen McGrath left the firm in July 2024.
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Key clients
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Purdue Pharma L.P.
- ACLU of Tennessee
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
- McDonald’s
- The Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan
- American Health Insurance Providers
- Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)
- Southern Methodist University (SMU)
- Inguran, LLC
Work highlights
- Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Purdue Pharma L.P. in a bankruptcy appeal, negotiating a plan to allocate billions for opioid abatement and victim compensation.
- Represented the families challenging a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth on equal protection grounds in the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Secured a legal victory for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and major business groups by successfully challenging and overturning a new NLRB rule that would have expanded 'joint employer' liability nationwide, with the court ruling that the rule exceeded legal boundaries and was contrary to established law.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Pratik Shah
Other key lawyers
James Tysse; Julius Chen