Drawing upon a ‘profound depth of knowledge and exceptional capability’, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton provides ’strategically sound and practically implementable’ advice to a myriad of large corporates, directors and executives and financial institutions facing big-ticket securities litigation. Informed by a trial-ready approach, the New York-based team, which is led by the ‘practical and insightful’ Roger Cooper, regularly achieves early dismissal of cases, as well as subsequently successfully defending those wins in the appeal process. Cooper has been front and center of several of the group’s most noteworthy successes, including its bench trial victory (and on appeal) for Assured Guaranty in relation to a case brought by Lehman Brothers International Europe regarding the alleged improper calculation of credit default swaps, and a summary judgment victory for Allergan at trial level and appeal, quashing a securities class action brought by investors following alleged misstatements and omissions concerning the health risks associated with certain breast implant products. Jared Gerber was also key to the success on behalf of Allergan, and as part of his impressive level of skill in the securities litigation field has, over the years, secured multiple decisions from the Supreme Court on statute of limitation issues. Other key members of the practice include former prosecutor Victor Hou and Mark McDonald, who is skilled at handling securities/shareholder litigation in both the federal court and before the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The firm has a remarkably strong and competent securities litigation team, characterized by their profound depth of knowledge and exceptional capability.'

  • 'They are not only easy to work and collaborate with but also excel in their ability to swiftly turn around well-crafted, legally robust, and persuasive legal submissions, consistently ahead of client deadlines.'

  • 'Their meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence ensure their advice is both strategically sound and practically implementable.'

  • ‘Roger Cooper and Jared Gerber are notable for their dedication and expertise as lawyers. They provide practical and insightful legal advice, understanding and addressing client needs with innovative and straightforward solutions.'

Key clients

  • Allergan
  • Assured Guaranty
  • Com2us Holdings
  • Compass Minerals
  • Dentsply Sirona Inc.
  • Genting Americas, Inc.
  • Juul Labs Inc.
  • OCI N.V.
  • Polychain Capital
  • Proterra Inc.

Work highlights

  • Representing Assured Guaranty in arguing the appeal, and winning, following a full trial victory (following five-week bench trial) in an action brought by Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”) in New York state court, defeating LBIE’s claim for more than $1bn.
  • Represents pharmaceutical company Allergan plc and several of its former officers and directors in a securities class action brought in the District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that the company made misstatements and omissions concerning the health risks associated with certain breast implant products.
  • Represented Juul Labs Inc (JLI). in a multibillion-dollar bet-the-company litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery brought by a number of investors in JLI convertible notes.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

Roger Cooper

Other key lawyers

Jared Gerber; Victor Hou; Mark McDonald