Securities Litigation

Securities and corporate governance litigation, and particularly class actions, put companies at tremendous risk and can be extremely disruptive. Obtaining experienced and effective defense counsel is crucial.

Reinschmidt v. Zillow, Inc. et al.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Defended a company and its officers and directors in a securities fraud class action and related derivative litigation. The judge dismissed the suit with prejudice.

Washington Mutual Inc. Securities, Derivative and ERISA Litigation

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Superior Court of Washington, King County
Defense of all the outside directors of Washington Mutual Inc. in multiple class action lawsuits arising from the collapse of WaMu.

Ebay Domestic Holdings Inc. v. Craig Newmark, et al.

Court of Chancery of Delaware
Defended craigslist in an action by eBay challenging corporate governance measures taken by craigslist to prevent eBay from unilaterally electing an agent to the craigslist board of directors, to approve indemnification agreements for craigslist officers and directors and to approve a right of first refusal offered to all craigslist shareholders and a rights plan. The approval of the indemnification agreements was affirmed on summary judgment and the staggered board was affirmed after trial.

Craigslist Inc. v. Ebay Inc.

Superior Court of California, San Francisco County
Representing craigslist in its litigation with eBay. eBay acquired a 28.4% equity interest in craigslist and craigslist asserted claims for unfair competition, false advertising, trademark infringement, passing off, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and deceit. All litigation between the companies was dismissed after, under a confidential settlement, eBay sold its equity interest in craigslist back to craigslist

Legal Malpractice Claims Dismissed With Prejudice

Represented a major New York firm in a lawsuit arising from alleged malpractice and conspiracy charges in connection with advice regarding a tax shelter for options trading. We secured a dismissal with prejudice based upon statute of repose.

Legal Malpractice Counsel to National Firm

Represented a major national law firm in a matter seeking $60 million in additional tax liability allegedly arising from malpractice in tax advice regarding restructuring and domestication of a foreign corporation for purposes of selling foreign corporation.

Story v. Deloitte LLP

Fourth Judicial District of Idaho, Ada County
Defense of Deloitte in an action brought by the former CEO of Pure Health Systems, Inc. (PHSI), in an action alleging breach of fiduciary duty and other misconduct in connection with the sale of PHSI to a private equity group.

Sec v. Rungruangnavarat

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Defended a Thai national in an insider trading case resulting in a settlement where the client received a portion of his frozen assets.