
A&O Shearman’s commercial litigation department is directed by New York-based Adam Hakki, whose bet-the-company work spans securities litigation, antitrust, and financial services enforcement; Richard Schwed, who advises corporates, financial institutions, and individuals in high-stakes disputes and investigations; and Paula Anderson, a commercial litigator whose practice is dedicated to FCPA and compliance reviews, corporate governance matters, bankruptcy litigation, and arbitration. Also leading the charge from Texas is Thad Behrens, who is strongly proficient in securities class actions, shareholder and M&A litigation, and bankruptcy disputes. From Washington DC, Todd Stenerson contributes formidable expertise in antitrust and competition litigation, including class actions, while New York’s Stephen Fishbein is a go-to advisor on white-collar and investigations matters – including insider trading – alongside civil and criminal antitrust work and trade secrets disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Guardant Health
- Bank of America
- Pamplona Capital Management
- Toronto Dominion Bank
- KuCoin
- Board of Hawaiian Electric Company
- Citibank
- SAP SE
- Toyota Motor Corporation
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Ardagh Metal Packaging
- Taro Pharmaceutical Industries
Work highlights
Successfully represented Guardant Health in a Lanham Act false advertising case against Natera, securing a unanimous jury verdict and $292.5m award - the largest Lanham Act false advertising damages award in history.
Obtained dismissal with prejudice in the Delaware Court of Chancery of fiduciary duty claims against Bank of America’s board and senior executives arising from pandemic-era unemployment benefits program oversight.
Secured a unanimous appellate victory for Pamplona Capital entities in fraud litigation related to a 2016 take-private merger of Logicworks, with the New York Appellate Division affirming dismissal of all claims.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head
Adam Hakki; Richard Schwed; Paula Anderson; Thad Behrens
Other key lawyers
Todd Stenerson; Stephen Fishbein