Professional Biography
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  • New York

    D +1.212.261.6870

    F +1.212.399.8006

    New York

    1155 Avenue of the Americas, 22nd Floor

    New York, NY 10036-2711

    +1.212.261.6870

    AHoward@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Seasoned trial attorney Alan Howard represents clients in complex commercial disputes, cross-border litigation and international arbitration. Alan skillfully manages clients engaged in multiple proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, including companies involved in high stakes commercial contract disputes related to manufacturing, production and distribution of goods, technology and software issues, as well as domestic and global joint ventures.

Alan has successfully defended companies and individual directors in shareholder class actions in state and federal courts, most recently in Delaware, California, New York and Georgia. In addition, Alan has particular experience counseling financial institutions on anti-money laundering regulations and compliance.

In addition to over three decades of experience trying cases at the state and federal levels, Alan is experienced in arbitration proceedings under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). He has also served as an arbitrator in ICC proceedings. Alan counsels clients across a range of industries, including software development, biotech, financial services, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, telecommunications, and retail and consumer products.

Alan has also successfully defended companies and individual directors in consumer and shareholder class actions in state and federal courts, including courts in Delaware, California, New York, and Georgia. In addition, Alan has experience counseling financial institutions on anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and compliance.

Maintaining a robust pro bono practice, Alan has been recognized by the American Bar Association, Public Justice, The American Lawyer and the Financial Times for his service as lead counsel in an action involving claims of forced labor, trafficking in forced labor, civil RICO, discrimination and fraud brought on behalf of hundreds of skilled workers from India. He also worked on the prominent civil rights case involving the “Jena 6” in Louisiana.

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Podcast Series: Mastering the “New Normal” in Jury Trials

In this series, seasoned trial attorneys Alan Howard and Ed Baum explore how the courts and attorneys are adapting to the still-evolving “new normal” of jury trials conducted under pandemic-driven constraints, and the future for remotely conducted proceedings post-pandemic.

LISTEN TO THE SERIES

Podcast Series: Mediating During the Pandemic

Alan Howard and Ed Baum discuss the viability of conducting virtual mediation sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The series includes conversations with neutrals and litigators. 

LISTEN TO THE SERIES

Professional Recognition

  • Listed in Thomson Reuters “Stand-out Lawyers,” 2024
  • Recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a New York Super Lawyer, 2018  2023
  • Awarded “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by Public Justice, 2015
  • Received “Global Pro Bono Dispute of the Year” and “Global Citizenship (Grand Prize Winner)” award from The American Lawyer, 2015
  • Recognized as “Innovative Lawyer of the Year,” Social Responsibility-Pro Bono Cases category by Financial Times, 2015
  • Received “Pro Bono Publico Award” from ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono, 2014

Professional Leadership

  • SPLC Action Fund, Chair of the Board, 2018  present
  • Constitutional Rights Foundation, Board Member, 2022
  • Southern Poverty Law Center, Board of Directors, Former Chair

Experience

News

Insights

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Bar and Court Admissions

  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1987
  • Yale University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1984