Litigation

Acted for a defendant in $100 million proceedings in the English Commercial Court.

Secured motion to dismiss with prejudice in Cook County Chancery Court for the client, a pharmaceutical company, in an action brought by the Illinois Attorney General against various manufacturers and distributors. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants had created a public nuisance and violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and that the distributors had failed to properly examine and report suspicious orders of opioid medications.

Acted for a client who was to be the focus of an upcoming investigation conducted by a major British broadcast network. Advised the client as to potential defamation claim and prospects of pre-publication injunction against the network, and pre-action correspondence in conjunction with leading counsel.

Acted for client in obtaining declaration from the English High Court as to ownership of a painting sold to the client by a leading auction house, which was subsequently alleged to have been stolen and belonged to a foreign government. Issued claim against leading auction house for negligence; and  claim against foreign state while dealing with questions of state immunity. Dealt with Interpol, Metropolitan Police, foreign Government Agencies and the Art Loss Register in connection with this matter.

Acted for client in relation to partnership dispute involving removal of partner and subsequent litigation and injunctive proceedings to stop use of confidential investor information by removed partner. Successfully obtained injunctive relief in the English High Court and acted for client on Appeal to the English Court of Appeal. Dealt with client’s other international advisers with regards to satellite litigation in Guernsey and initiating arbitration before the London Court of International Arbitration.

Advised a U.K. pharmaceutical company concerning defamatory reporting in the media about one of its key products.

Advised corporate client in connection with proposals to explore, recover and raise up the Spanish War Galleon known as the San Jose, which sunk in the South Pacific in 1708, carrying treasure that may be worth in excess of $17 billion. Advised multinational client on possibility of obtaining declaratory relief from High Court as to ownership and title to treasure prior to recovery. Dealt with aspects of foreign government tender process and media interest in the same.

Obtained numerous urgent prohibitory High Court injunctions in relation to the unauthorised sale of tickets to major sporting events including the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Premier League football games and international rugby matches.

Advised in high-value unfair prejudice proceedings with assets in dispute up to the value of €50 million.

Successfully resisted a fraudulent winding up petition brought against an international wholesaler under the pretence of fraud, and in doing so uncovered and exposed a multimillion-pound carousel fraud that had been committed against it.

Assisted the owner of a significant freehold building in West London earmarked for substantive redevelopment in a contested 1954 lease renewal claim brought by a high-profile leasehold tenant. Disposed of the court proceedings by consent after successfully arguing that section 30(1)(f) of the 1954 Act had been satisfied.

Represented a Malaysian client (and politically exposed person (PEP)) in a claim against a U.K. individual for fraudulent misrepresentation valued at $18.5 million. Obtained and retained a worldwide freezing order against the defendant.

Drafted significant portions of a motion to dismiss filed in federal court that resulted in a complete dismissal of claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and common law defamation.

Negotiated the terms of a multimillion-dollar settlement between a real estate investment firm, a bank and several individuals in a lawsuit brought under the California Voidable Transactions Act.