• Aviation

• Banking and Finance

• Employment

• Insurance

• Professional Liability

• Securities

Aviation

The firm has defended air carriers against claims of passengers and shippers, and acted as national counsel for a subsidiary of major airlines in claims involving travel agents. Our litigators also have defended carriers, manufacturers and insurers in multi-district trials and appeals before various federal circuits and the Supreme Court, arising from numerous air disasters such as the downing of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 over the Sea of Japan.

Our attorneys have served as counsel to major airlines restructuring debt with private and government lenders and negotiating aircraft purchase agreements, and have represented air carriers, lessors and manufacturers in a range of regulatory matters, including NTSB and military accident investigations, and FAA foreign carrier permit proceedings.

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Banking and Finance

Litigation: Firm attorneys have represented banks and shareholders in complex domestic and international litigation, including liquidation proceedings arising from international bank failures,  in actions against regulators and in regulatory proceedings, in class actions, and  in defending banks and their officers against actions brought by regulators and federal prosecutors. The firm represents clients in claims involving money laundering, lender liability, foreign funds transfers, truth-in-lending, RESPA, state usury laws, privacy issues, and other consumer regulatory litigation. Its attorneys have extensive experience representing financial institutions in complex litigation against the federal government arising from the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act, also known as Winstar-related cases.

Regulatory and Compliance: The firm counsels banks and other institutions on insurance and securities activities, lending and deposit activities, mortgage banking operations, privacy issues, compliance, wire and Internet issues, and matters of governance and director liability. Firm attorneys have also represented banks and other financial services firms in regulatory matters and proceedings before various federal regulatory entities.

Transactions: The firm's attorneys have broad experience representing domestic and foreign banks and other institutions in acquisitions, divestitures, complex financing transactions, large-scale project finance and joint ventures, debt restructuring transactions, and in purchases of securities and loans issued by government agencies and enterprises.

Uniform Commercial Code: The firm's regularly serves as regional, national and international counsel on behalf of major insurers, financial institutions and other clients in claims against domestic and foreign banks under Articles 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code involving commercial paper, funds transfers and letters of credit. The firm has extensive experience in evaluating, defending and litigating check fraud cases throughout the U.S. and internationally with claims ranging from $25,000 to $25 million.

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Employment

The firm's attorneys represent clients in employment disputes, including litigation and administrative proceedings relating to age, disability, race, and sex discrimination claims, wrongful termination claims, hiring issues and negotiation and interpretation of employment agreements. The firm also assists clients in preparing employment contracts, forms and procedures, and negotiating non-compete, non-association and non-affiliation agreements..

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Insurance

The firm represents several major insurers as regional, national and international counsel in coverage, director and officer, fidelity and surety, product liability, property and casualty, and professional liability claims.

Director and Officer: The firm handles cases involving director and officer liability, including the defense of shareholder and derivate lawsuits.

Fidelity and Surety: The firm defends and litigates coverage and subrogation claims under fidelity bonds, surety bonds, financial institution bonds and crime coverages, across the country and abroad. The firm routinely litigates subrogation matters against third parties, including major banks and Big-5 accounting firms.

Product Liability: The firm represents clients in the defense of product liability claims, including in the areas of aviation, general manufacturing, and toxic torts.

Property and Casualty: The firm's lawyers have substantial experience in litigating claims involving business and economic damages, including lost profits and other losses.

Professional Liability

The firm regularly represents major insurers and other clients in claims against Big-5 accounting firms and other accounting professionals for failure to exercise professional care in the performance of audits and other professional services.

The firm also represents clients in other professional liability claims, including engineering and medical malpractice. A firm attorney serves as an arbitrator for the D.C. Bar's Attorney-Client Arbitration Board.

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Securities

The firm has represented publicly traded companies on compliance with disclosure obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and periodic reporting obligations, including annual and quarterly reports and proxy disclosure. Firm attorneys also have specialized experience in the area of executive compensation disclosures and the obligations of boards of director under the federal securities laws. The firm also has advised banks and other financial services firms on securities disclosure obligations resulting from the acquisition of other companies.

Firm attorneys have prepared registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933, particularly for companies undertaking initial public offerings. Firm attorneys have completed numerous private placements of securities, including for early stage companies seeking initial funding. The firm also has considerable experience assisting public companies manage their restricted stock transfers.

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