Kasowitz represents various institutions in litigations stemming from the financial crisis including court actions and arbitrations involving collateral debt obligations, residential mortgage backed securities, structured notes, credit default swaps, interest rate swaps, total return swaps, financial guaranties, and other structured products and derivatives.
Kasowitz is relied upon by Fortune 500 companies for their defense in significant matters. For example, Kasowitz currently represents Comcast in the defense of three class actions – each class purportedly containing two million cable subscribers – alleging antitrust violations as a result of “clustering” in major cable markets.
Litigation often demands emergency action. After several major magazine publishers abruptly halted business with Source Interlink, a magazine wholesaler, Kasowitz obtained an injunction compelling the defendants to reopen supply to Source. The firm’s rescue of Source was referred to by The American Lawyer as “like Superman standing in front of a speeding locomotive.”
Kasowitz provides pro bono representation to refugees, immigrant children and families, victims of domestic abuse, veterans, Holocaust survivors and others. Among many success stories, Kasowitz has recently obtained authorization for several young children from Darfur and Guinea to be reunited with their families in the U.S and won asylum for a Bhutanese refugee.
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading insurance coverage practices by Chambers and other publications, Kasowitz's insurance recovery group focuses exclusively on policyholder coverage. Clients such as Philips Electronics, Visa, Tyson Foods, Port Authority of NY & NJ and Pella Windows and Doors have relied on the group for representation.
Kasowitz has extensive experience in lender liability litigation, fraudulent conveyance cases and other litigation relating to a company’s capital structure. In recent years, Kasowitz has litigated high-profile cases in this area relating to Freescale Semiconductor, Adelphia, LyondellBasell, Mirant, Tribune and numerous real estate developers.
Kasowitz tries several cases every year in courts around the country. For example, the firm recently secured a complete trial victory for Verizon Wireless in a high-profile unfair and deceptive trade practices action brought by the Florida Attorney General. This victory was featured in the National Law Journal.
Kasowitz is at the forefront of the most high-profile patent litigation disputes. As lead trial counsel in Tyler, Texas for Google and YouTube, Kasowitz achieved a jury verdict of patent invalidity against Eolas Technologies and the University of California, which asserted two patents alleged by plaintiffs to cover all modern, interactive web pages.
Elite National Insurance Recovery Practice
Nationally renowned insurance recovery litigators Jerold Oshinsky and Linda Kornfeld have joined the Kasowitz Insurance Recovery Group as partners in Los Angeles. Together, with the firm’s current practice group, they establish an elite national practice dedicated to combating insurance company efforts to deny coverage to policyholders.
Kasowitz is ranked as a leading firm in general commercial litigation, bankruptcy/restructuring, insurance: dispute resolution: policyholder, and white collar crime & government investigations, and more than a dozen Kasowitz partners are profiled as leaders in their fields.
Kasowitz is ranked as “Highly Recommended” for Litigation in New York and was nationally ranked for General Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy and Insurance. Marc E. Kasowitz, David M. Friedman, Robin L. Cohen and Mark P. Ressler are ranked as “local litigation stars” and Aaron H. Marks is listed as a "future star."
Kasowitz has been featured among the 100 most prestigious law firms profiled in Vault. The firm ranked #6 for “Best Summer Program,” #24 for “Overall Satisfaction,” and #1 for “Most Fun Summer Program.”
Kasowitz’s insurance recovery practice group received the Chambers USA 2011 Award for Excellence. The award honors outstanding lawyers and law firms across the United States, reflecting both preeminence in key practice areas and achievements over the last 12 months.
A front-page article in the New York Law Journal highlights the firm’s success and praises the firm’s unique “stream-lined management structure.” To view the full article, please click here.
Described as “excellent across the board” by The Legal 500, the firm is ranked in the areas of Finance: Corporate Restructuring; Insurance: Advice to Policyholders; Litigation: Trade Secrets; and Real Estate. Fifteen Kasowitz attorneys are highlighted in the publication, three of whom are recognized as “Leading Lawyers” and two as “Leading Trial Lawyers” in the nation.
Kasowitz has been profiled by Chambers Associate, a prominent career guide published by the leading legal publisher Chambers and Partners. The publication notes, “In its near 20-year existence, the firm has fast established a reputation for taking impossible cases to court and winning them.”
Robin Cohen Recognized by Business Insurance
Partner Robin L. Cohen has been selected by Business Insurance as one of their top 25 Women to Watch for 2011. This annual feature recognizes women doing outstanding work in insurance, risk and benefits management, and related fields.
Kasowitz is ranked as “Highly Recommended” for Litigation in New York and was nationally ranked for Antitrust, Insurance and Securities. Marc E. Kasowitz, Daniel R. Benson, Hector Torres, Robin L. Cohen and Michael E. Hutchins are ranked as “litigation stars."
Kasowitz is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its transactional real estate practice. Launched in the summer of 2011, the group has already tripled in size to 12 attorneys. For further information on the group’s success and growth, please click here.
Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America
Partners Marc E. Kasowitz and Robin L. Cohen have been listed among the 2011 Lawdragon 500 “Leading Lawyers in America.” Lawdragon 500 lists lawyers who have brought in the biggest verdicts and settlements, and handled the biggest deals over the past year.
Kasowitz as Law360 2011 Insurance Group of the Year
Kasowitz’s insurance recovery team has been chosen as a Law360 "2011 Practice Group of the Year," based on the significance, number, size and complexity of the matters worked on in 2011. Click here to read the feature article about the recognition.
2012 Go-To Law Firm for the Top 500 Companies
Kasowitz has been named as a 2012 “go-to law firm” for the nation’s top 500 companies in the areas of Litigation and Labor & Employment Law by the publishers of Corporate Counsel magazine. Corporate Counsel selects as “go-to firms” for Litigation an elite group of firms that deliver exceptional work for the Fortune 500.
Kasowitz Profiled for Recent Growth
Kasowitz is profiled in the February 2012 issue of The American Lawyer magazine, for its growth from 200 to 375 attorneys over the last four years, its strong financial-related litigation practice, the growth of its insurance recovery and intellectual property litigation groups and the addition of its real estate transactional group.
Hector Torres Selected as “Litigator of the Week” by The American Lawyer
Kasowitz partner Hector Torres was named “Litigator of the Week” by The American Lawyer based on his success in obtaining the reinstatement on appeal of a $500 million suit that Le-Nature's liquidation trustee brought against a law firm and accounting firm.
Kasowitz Honored as a Top Firm for Diversity
Kasowitz has been honored as a Top Firm for Diversity by The American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel. Kasowitz ranked 33rd out of 233 U.S. firms on the publications’ 2012 Diversity Scorecard. Scores were calculated by adding the percentages of the firm’s U.S. minority attorneys and the firm’s U.S. minority partners.
The Kasowitz summer program was recognized in The American Lawyer's annual Summer Associates Survey. Kasowitz ranked #19 (out of 63 firms) in New York and #26 (out of 111 firms) nationally. Highlights include ranking 4.95 (average: 4.79) for “overall rating as a place to work” and ranking 5.00 (average: 4.86) for “full-time associate-summer associate interactions.”
David M. Friedman Named a Law360 2012 Bankruptcy MVP
Selected by Law360 as a 2012 “Bankruptcy MVP,” name partner David M. Friedman was described as “among the very top tier of bankruptcy lawyers,” and the article notes that he "stands out for his rare combination of expertise in bankruptcy law and top-notch trial skills.”
Kasowitz Honored with 2012 Pro Bono Publico Awards
The Legal Aid Society honored Kasowitz as a recipient of a 2012 Pro Bono Publico Award for outstanding service, dedication and commitment to The Legal Aid Society and its clients. Kasowitz and its attorneys were recognized for work in zealously representing two homeowners who were victims of predatory lending practices and a mortgage scam.
Partner | New York
Described as the "toughest lawyer on Wall Street" and "one of the most prominent and feared lawyers in the United States," Marc tries bet-the-company cases in all areas of business litigation.
Partner | New York
Co-founder of the firm, Dan conceived and negotiated ground-breaking tobacco settlements on behalf of cigarette manufacturer Liggett, and directed the litigation strategy that resulted in settlements of highly publicized environmental actions on behalf of Alabama residents.
Partner | New York
Co-founder of the firm, Hector has litigated and tried antitrust and complex civil litigation matters in courts and arbitrations around the world. Hector was recently selected as The American Lawyer's "Litigator of the Week."
Partner | New York
In naming him one of the best bankruptcy lawyers in the country, Chambers and Partners referred to David Friedman, head of the firm's creditors' rights and bankruptcy group, as "the man you want on your side when you are undermanned and outmaneuvered - he's an extraordinary fighter."
Partner | New York
Recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America by The National Law Journal (2007), Robin is one of the nation’s preeminent insurance litigators, focusing her practice on representing insureds in complex insurance coverage matters.
Partner | San Francisco
Recognized as one of the nation's outstanding white collar trial lawyers by Chambers USA (2008 – 2012) and Thomson Reuters’ Northern California Super Lawyers (2005 – 2012), Mark also has extensive experience in complex civil and corporate litigation. Mark was recently honored in The National Law Journal’s 2010 “Winning.”
Partner | Atlanta
Head of the firm’s Atlanta office, Mike has represented many pharmaceutical and chemical companies, and consumer and industrial product manufacturers in a variety of complex toxic tort, product liability, and commercial litigation matters.
Partner | New York
Named as New York Family Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers (Woodward/White Inc. 2009), Eleanor heads the firm’s matrimonial and family law group. Eleanor is one of the country’s preeminent matrimonial attorneys.
Partner | New York
A former Assistant U.S. Attorney who has been recognized as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Chambers USA, Mark’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense, including trials and appeals.
Partner | New York
Recognized as one of the nation's most accomplished litigators under the age of 45 by The American Lawyer magazine (2007), Aaron has litigated and tried several major cases in complex commercial litigation, mass tort and trade secret matters.
Partner | New York
Head of the firm’s employment group, Eric has more than 30 years of employment litigation and counseling experience. Eric has been named one of Thomson Reuters’ New York Super Lawyers (2006 - 2012) and listed among the Nation's 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys by Human Resources Executive magazine (2010).
Partner | New York
Recognized in Chambers USA as a “great lawyer and adviser” and “gifted trial lawyer” who has “extensive expertise in complex litigation and white collar criminal defense,” Dan is a former Assistant United States Attorney who represents companies and executives in complex litigation, trials, internal investigations and enforcement proceedings.
Partner | New York
As a partner in the firm's employment group, Blythe represents and advises clients in employment matters, including employment discrimination and non-competition litigation in state and federal courts, arbitrations and administrative proceedings.
Partner | New York
David is a leading bankruptcy litigator and restructuring partner recognized by Chambers USA (2005 – 2012), The K&A Restructuring Register’s “America's Top 100 Restructuring Professionals” (2004 – 2006), and Thomson Reuters’ New York Super Lawyers (2007 – 2012).
Partner | Houston
Head of the firm’s Houston office, Jerry has been recognized as one of the leading up-and-coming lawyers in Houston. Jerry's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, including breach of contract, business torts, employment discrimination, securities, environmental, product liability, and mass tort.
Partner | New York
Head of Kasowitz’s real estate group, Wally has more than 30 years of experience and has repeatedly been included in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Wally is currently focusing on development and leasing, real estate funds, gaming and lodging and loan restructurings.
Partner | New York
Ms. Conroy has represented numerous investment and hedge funds, financial institutions, corporations and individuals in a variety of securities and business disputes, as well as companies in connection with governmental inquiries.