Cravath’s New York Office Moves to Two Manhattan West
Cravath has a long and distinguished history representing clients involved in a wide variety of general commercial disputes. All of the Firm’s litigators are trained as generalists with the tools to tackle complex cases from every angle. As a result, our “standout bench of litigators” is able to devise novel solutions and speak across disciplines to convey complex information clearly and concisely to judges and juries. (Chambers USA)
We regularly represent clients in bringing and defending actions involving alleged breaches of contract and the ever-evolving category of business torts, such as fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with prospective business relations, employee “raiding” claims and unfair competition claims. Frequently, such claims arise in the context of wider litigation, involving related claims under various antitrust, securities or intellectual property laws or the RICO or FCPA statutes.
Because Cravath’s litigators have experience across a broad range of practice areas, the same team can handle general commercial claims alongside claims in more specialized areas of the law, enabling us to identify and develop innovative arguments and to use smaller, more cost-effective teams. Together with members of the Cravath Corporate Department, Cravath’s litigators also advise corporate clients on how to structure business arrangements and practices in order to avoid litigation.
Cravath’s litigation department is uniformly recognized as among the best in the country. We have repeatedly been recognized as “General Commercial Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation, and we also were named the publication’s 2021 “Trial Firm of the Year.” We have been awarded “Law Firm of the Year” for Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers Best Law Firms, and we are consistently ranked in the top tier of Benchmark Litigation, Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US. Our team was named New York Law Journal’s overall “Litigation Department of the Year” three times in the past six years, most recently in 2024, and the publication also has honored the Firm as “Class Action Litigation Department of the Year.” Cravath also received Legalweek’s 2023 Leaders in Tech Law Award for “Litigation and E‑Discovery,” and has earned recognition from the Financial Times as both “Most Innovative Law Firm for Legal Expertise” and “Most Innovative for Dispute Resolution.”
Our team has earned repeated praise from clients and the market, including:
We regularly represent clients in bringing and defending actions involving alleged breaches of contract and the ever-evolving category of business torts, such as fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with prospective business relations, employee “raiding” claims and unfair competition claims. Frequently, such claims arise in the context of wider litigation, involving related claims under various antitrust, securities or intellectual property laws or the RICO or FCPA statutes.
Because Cravath’s litigators have experience across a broad range of practice areas, the same team can handle general commercial claims alongside claims in more specialized areas of the law, enabling us to identify and develop innovative arguments and to use smaller, more cost-effective teams. Together with members of the Cravath Corporate Department, Cravath’s litigators also advise corporate clients on how to structure business arrangements and practices in order to avoid litigation.
Cravath’s litigation department is uniformly recognized as among the best in the country. We have repeatedly been recognized as “General Commercial Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation, and we also were named the publication’s 2021 “Trial Firm of the Year.” We have been awarded “Law Firm of the Year” for Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers Best Law Firms, and we are consistently ranked in the top tier of Benchmark Litigation, Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US. Our team was named New York Law Journal’s overall “Litigation Department of the Year” three times in the past six years, most recently in 2024, and the publication also has honored the Firm as “Class Action Litigation Department of the Year.” Cravath also received Legalweek’s 2023 Leaders in Tech Law Award for “Litigation and E‑Discovery,” and has earned recognition from the Financial Times as both “Most Innovative Law Firm for Legal Expertise” and “Most Innovative for Dispute Resolution.”
Our team has earned repeated praise from clients and the market, including:
Deals & Cases
March 21, 2024
On March 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted summary judgment in favor of Cravath client Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. (“KOM”), dismissing an action alleging claims for fraud, aiding and abetting fraud and conspiracy. Plaintiffs, a set of energy and investment funds managed by EIG Management Company, LLC (collectively, “EIG”) claimed that KOM failed to disclose that it was engaged in a bribery scheme with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”), the Brazilian oil company, and with a company under Petrobras’s control, Sete Brasil Participações, S.A. (“Sete”). According to EIG, this failure to disclose caused EIG to invest over $220 million in Sete, defrauding EIG.
Deals & Cases
January 24, 2024
On January 22, 2024, Forward Air Corporation (“Forward”) announced an agreement with Omni Logistics, LLC (“Omni”), a private company that is majority owned by Ridgemont Equity Partners and EVE Partners, LLC, to amend the terms of the existing merger agreement relating to their previously announced acquisition. This agreement ends the litigation between the parties, which will now be dismissed. Under the terms of the amended merger agreement, Omni shareholders will receive $20 million in cash, instead of the $150 million initially agreed, and 35% of Forward’s pro forma common equity (on a fully‑diluted, as‑converted basis), as compared to the 37.7% of Forward’s pro forma common equity (on a fully‑diluted, as‑converted basis) contemplated by the original agreement. Cravath is representing Forward in connection with the transaction and related litigation.
Deals & Cases
November 27, 2023
On November 20, 2023, the California Supreme Court held that Cravath client PG&E, the country’s largest utility, cannot be sued for losses incurred by customers during public safety power shutoffs that complied with the guidelines set forth by its regulator, the California Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”). In a unanimous decision, the Court held that such claims are barred because their adjudication would interfere with the PUC’s comprehensive supervision and regulation of safety shutoffs.
Deals & Cases
November 15, 2023
On November 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida denied plaintiffs’ motion to certify a class asserting market manipulation claims under the federal securities laws against Cravath clients Robinhood Markets, Inc., Robinhood Financial LLC and Robinhood Securities, LLC (together, “Robinhood”).
Deals & Cases
October 12, 2023
On October 10, 2023, following a full trial on the merits and an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court, Cravath client The Williams Companies, Inc. (“Williams”) secured a victory resulting in a judgment of more than $600 million.
Accolades
September 06, 2024
On September 5, 2024, Cravath was named the recipient of the New York Law Journal’s 2024 “Litigation Department of the Year” award in the General Litigation category, the publication’s highest firmwide honor for litigation practice. The Firm was honored at the New York Legal Awards for a period that saw it earn numerous major successes on behalf of clients across industries, including Epic Games in an antitrust trial victory against Google, Robinhood in the sprawling and high-profile “meme stock” litigation and PG&E in its successful defense against a putative class action involving wins in multiple courts.
Activities & Publications
September 04, 2024
Cravath partners Benjamin Gruenstein, Sasha Rosenthal‑Larrea and Evan Norris and Variant deputy general counsel Daniel Barabander co‑authored an article entitled “Cybersecurity Liability for Web3 Platforms: Key Issues and Risk Mitigation Solutions,” which was published by Bloomberg Law on September 4, 2024. The article explores the liability landscape faced by web3 platforms in the wake of a cybersecurity incident, including potential for negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims, as well as securities law shareholder derivative claims. The article also details how parties can mitigate their risk through the integration of proactive security solutions.
Accolades
August 30, 2024
On August 29, 2024, the New York Law Journal published a Q&A with Cravath partners Gary A. Bornstein and Kevin J. Orsini in connection with the Firm’s recognition as a 2024 Litigation Department of the Year finalist. In the Q&A, Gary and Kevin discussed the Firm’s work for clients in the last year, including representing Epic Games in its antitrust litigation challenging core aspects of Google’s app store policies; a string of successes for Robinhood in its “meme stock” litigation; and a victory for PG&E before the California Supreme Court related to power shutoffs to prevent wildfires. Gary and Kevin also highlighted the Firm’s “paramount focus on our clients’ business needs and goals” to deliver “both a positive result in the litigation at hand as well as strategic impact to advance the clients’ long‑term business goals.”
Activities & Publications
August 28, 2024
On August 26, 2024, Cravath partner Helam Gebremariam was featured as a 2024 “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal. The accompanying profile published by NYLJ highlights Helam’s representation of clients in complex litigation cases, including shareholder derivative, mergers and acquisitions, general commercial, securities and antitrust matters, as well as her pro bono practice work, including on right to counsel and access to justice issues. The feature also highlights Helam’s role as a partner liaison to the Firm’s African American/Black Affinity Group and her roles on the boards of Immigrant Justice Corps, the Vera Institute of Justice, and the NYU School of Law Board of Trustees. Helam also shared advice for young lawyers, emphasizing her belief that “authenticity is critical to forging meaningful connections in all parts of your life.”
Accolades
July 17, 2024
On June 6, 2024, Cravath partner David R. Marriott was recognized by Leaders League as a leading trial lawyer in the United States. The profile praised Dave’s “uncommon ability to consistently win complex cases of every hue, often against all odds,” as exemplified by his representation of clients including Illumina in its unprecedented antitrust trial victory against the FTC; Amgen in its successful defense against the FTC’s challenge to its $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics; Louis Dreyfus Company and Imperial Sugar Company in their trial victory over the DOJ; Viatris in its summary judgment win to defeat a securities class action; and photographers Donald Graham and Eric McNatt, who secured favorable SDNY judgments in copyright infringement litigation against appropriation artist Richard Prince and his galleries. The publication deemed his work on the antitrust cases “a string of stunning…victories” in “three of the most significant antitrust cases of the last decade.” Leaders League further remarked that “Marriott never shirks from a challenge, no matter how daunting [the] odds or opposition.”
Deals & Cases
March 21, 2024
On March 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted summary judgment in favor of Cravath client Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. (“KOM”), dismissing an action alleging claims for fraud, aiding and abetting fraud and conspiracy. Plaintiffs, a set of energy and investment funds managed by EIG Management Company, LLC (collectively, “EIG”) claimed that KOM failed to disclose that it was engaged in a bribery scheme with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”), the Brazilian oil company, and with a company under Petrobras’s control, Sete Brasil Participações, S.A. (“Sete”). According to EIG, this failure to disclose caused EIG to invest over $220 million in Sete, defrauding EIG.
Deals & Cases
January 24, 2024
On January 22, 2024, Forward Air Corporation (“Forward”) announced an agreement with Omni Logistics, LLC (“Omni”), a private company that is majority owned by Ridgemont Equity Partners and EVE Partners, LLC, to amend the terms of the existing merger agreement relating to their previously announced acquisition. This agreement ends the litigation between the parties, which will now be dismissed. Under the terms of the amended merger agreement, Omni shareholders will receive $20 million in cash, instead of the $150 million initially agreed, and 35% of Forward’s pro forma common equity (on a fully‑diluted, as‑converted basis), as compared to the 37.7% of Forward’s pro forma common equity (on a fully‑diluted, as‑converted basis) contemplated by the original agreement. Cravath is representing Forward in connection with the transaction and related litigation.
Deals & Cases
November 27, 2023
On November 20, 2023, the California Supreme Court held that Cravath client PG&E, the country’s largest utility, cannot be sued for losses incurred by customers during public safety power shutoffs that complied with the guidelines set forth by its regulator, the California Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”). In a unanimous decision, the Court held that such claims are barred because their adjudication would interfere with the PUC’s comprehensive supervision and regulation of safety shutoffs.
Deals & Cases
November 15, 2023
On November 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida denied plaintiffs’ motion to certify a class asserting market manipulation claims under the federal securities laws against Cravath clients Robinhood Markets, Inc., Robinhood Financial LLC and Robinhood Securities, LLC (together, “Robinhood”).
Deals & Cases
October 12, 2023
On October 10, 2023, following a full trial on the merits and an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court, Cravath client The Williams Companies, Inc. (“Williams”) secured a victory resulting in a judgment of more than $600 million.
Accolades
September 06, 2024
On September 5, 2024, Cravath was named the recipient of the New York Law Journal’s 2024 “Litigation Department of the Year” award in the General Litigation category, the publication’s highest firmwide honor for litigation practice. The Firm was honored at the New York Legal Awards for a period that saw it earn numerous major successes on behalf of clients across industries, including Epic Games in an antitrust trial victory against Google, Robinhood in the sprawling and high-profile “meme stock” litigation and PG&E in its successful defense against a putative class action involving wins in multiple courts.
Activities & Publications
September 04, 2024
Cravath partners Benjamin Gruenstein, Sasha Rosenthal‑Larrea and Evan Norris and Variant deputy general counsel Daniel Barabander co‑authored an article entitled “Cybersecurity Liability for Web3 Platforms: Key Issues and Risk Mitigation Solutions,” which was published by Bloomberg Law on September 4, 2024. The article explores the liability landscape faced by web3 platforms in the wake of a cybersecurity incident, including potential for negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims, as well as securities law shareholder derivative claims. The article also details how parties can mitigate their risk through the integration of proactive security solutions.
Accolades
August 30, 2024
On August 29, 2024, the New York Law Journal published a Q&A with Cravath partners Gary A. Bornstein and Kevin J. Orsini in connection with the Firm’s recognition as a 2024 Litigation Department of the Year finalist. In the Q&A, Gary and Kevin discussed the Firm’s work for clients in the last year, including representing Epic Games in its antitrust litigation challenging core aspects of Google’s app store policies; a string of successes for Robinhood in its “meme stock” litigation; and a victory for PG&E before the California Supreme Court related to power shutoffs to prevent wildfires. Gary and Kevin also highlighted the Firm’s “paramount focus on our clients’ business needs and goals” to deliver “both a positive result in the litigation at hand as well as strategic impact to advance the clients’ long‑term business goals.”
Activities & Publications
August 28, 2024
On August 26, 2024, Cravath partner Helam Gebremariam was featured as a 2024 “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal. The accompanying profile published by NYLJ highlights Helam’s representation of clients in complex litigation cases, including shareholder derivative, mergers and acquisitions, general commercial, securities and antitrust matters, as well as her pro bono practice work, including on right to counsel and access to justice issues. The feature also highlights Helam’s role as a partner liaison to the Firm’s African American/Black Affinity Group and her roles on the boards of Immigrant Justice Corps, the Vera Institute of Justice, and the NYU School of Law Board of Trustees. Helam also shared advice for young lawyers, emphasizing her belief that “authenticity is critical to forging meaningful connections in all parts of your life.”
Accolades
July 17, 2024
On June 6, 2024, Cravath partner David R. Marriott was recognized by Leaders League as a leading trial lawyer in the United States. The profile praised Dave’s “uncommon ability to consistently win complex cases of every hue, often against all odds,” as exemplified by his representation of clients including Illumina in its unprecedented antitrust trial victory against the FTC; Amgen in its successful defense against the FTC’s challenge to its $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics; Louis Dreyfus Company and Imperial Sugar Company in their trial victory over the DOJ; Viatris in its summary judgment win to defeat a securities class action; and photographers Donald Graham and Eric McNatt, who secured favorable SDNY judgments in copyright infringement litigation against appropriation artist Richard Prince and his galleries. The publication deemed his work on the antitrust cases “a string of stunning…victories” in “three of the most significant antitrust cases of the last decade.” Leaders League further remarked that “Marriott never shirks from a challenge, no matter how daunting [the] odds or opposition.”
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