White Collar Defense and Investigations

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is pleased to announce that six of our practice areas and thirteen of our partners and counsel received recognition in the newly released Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2020.

Chambers rankings are based on extensive research and interviews with peers and clients around the country. The qualities assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

The following Firm practices were recognized:

• Advertising: Litigation – National
• Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – New York
• Litigation: Securities: Institutional Plaintiffs – Mainly RMBS Litigation – New York
• Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Real Estate: Mainly Dirt – New York

In addition, the following partners and counsel were recognized:

• William F. Cavanaugh, Jr. in Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Gregory L. Diskant in Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Joshua A. Goldberg in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Erik Haas in Litigation: Securities: Institutional Plaintiffs – Mainly RMBS Litigation – New York
• Andrew L. Herz in Real Estate – New York
• Robert P. LoBue in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – New York
• Lewis V. Popovski in Intellectual Property: Patent – New York
• Geoffrey Potter in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – New York
• Daniel S. Ruzumna in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Robert M. Safron in Real Estate – New York
• Peter Tomlinson in Litigation: Securities: Institutional Plaintiffs – Mainly RMBS Litigation – New York
• John D. Winter in Product Liability & Mass Torts – National
• Steven A. Zalesin in Advertising: Litigation – National

Comments regarding the Firm from the Chambers 2020 guide include:

ADVERTISING: LITIGATION – NATIONWIDE

“Remains a go-to firm for high-stakes advertising litigation. Particularly noted for representing leading brands in false advertising disputes, with a strong capability in handling cases that go to trial. Also possesses a nationwide practice in the defense of consumer class actions. Particularly active on behalf of clients in the food and drink industry.

Sources Say: ‘It is an extremely hard-working and responsive team. We get fantastic advice from them.’

One client adds: ‘The group continues to be a prominent force.’

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Steven Zalesin is a renowned litigator with a particular focus on false advertising disputes. He is described by interviewees as ‘truly terrific’ and a ‘good strategic thinker.’"

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PATENT, TRADE MARK & COPYRIGHT – NEW YORK

“Draws acclaim for its strong offering across the patent, trademark and copyright spaces. Possesses strength and depth in a number of areas including pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, boasting an impressive client roster of market-leading clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Gregory Diskant is an esteemed patent litigator with substantial experience litigating high-value patent disputes. He is particularly active in the medical device and pharmaceutical space and has a noted track record in Hatch-Waxman cases.

William Cavanaugh is considered ‘a really excellent trial lawyer’ by his peers and is distinguished by his expertise in patent disputes arising in the life sciences sector. His broad practice includes Hatch-Waxman litigation and patent assertion.

Robert LoBue comes recommended as a ‘smart, practical and extremely proactive attorney’ who ‘combines breadth of knowledge with interpersonal skills.’ He combines his substantial trademark and copyright experience with expertise in First Amendment matters.

Geoffrey Potter is well known for his work in the anticounterfeit space, frequently representing clients in industries including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages and consumer goods. One source says: ‘He is an excellent lawyer who is good on his feet.’

Lewis Popovski acts for notable clients in the technology sector and draws praise for his work litigating patent infringement disputes. One source notes: ‘He is very good at strategy,’ while another highlights his ability to ‘connect well with juries.’”

LITIGATION: SECURITIES: INSTITUTIONAL PLAINTIFFS – MAINLY RMBS LITIGATION – NEW YORK

“Go-to RMBS litigation practice that remains a top choice for institutional plaintiffs. Regularly acts for monoline insurers in high-value actions brought against financial institutions, with a strong track record of securing multi million-dollar settlements. Leverages notable expertise in corporate and real estate matters when advising on securities disputes.

Sources Say: ‘It's a very strong group,’ states a source. ‘They have a superlative record in the RMBS space. They're extremely strong and have maintained their excellence.’

A second source comments: ‘The firm has a really deep bench of high-end lawyers.’

‘The lawyers at Patterson are collegial, thorough and passionate about their work,’ confirms an interviewee. ‘Their work is top-notch, and their expertise in the mortgage-backed securities space is at the top of the field.’

KEY INDIVIDIUALS: Erik Haas is highly rated by clients and peers alike for his work representing financial guarantors in complex RMBS disputes and other derivative claims against investment banks. ‘He's genuinely super smart, and is totally in the weeds in the right way - he knows what's going on at every level,’ states a client.

Peter Tomlinson is regarded by sources as ‘creative and pragmatic,’ and handles a range of RMBS and complex financial product litigation. He acts for a number of major bond insurers as well as institutional investors. Interviewees describe him as ‘a fantastic, really top-end lawyer and a really good person to work with.’”

LITIGATION: WHITE-COLLAR CRIME & GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS – NEW YORK

“Longstanding New York-based firm with increasing presence in the white-collar defense sphere. Sports former high-ranking DOJ officials and distinguished former prosecutors in its ranks. Called on by both individuals and corporate clients to guide them through complex regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings by bodies such as the DOJ, SEC and CFTC.

Sources Say: One client praises the team's ‘great combination of very strong intellectual ability and extraordinary client service,’ noting: ‘They give terrific, practical advice, are very tough when they need to be, and are practical and business-oriented.’

A further source describes this as ‘a terrific group with a ton of talented partners and associates,’ adding: ‘Their judgment and experience in white-collar defense and government investigations is unsurpassed - you'd be hard pressed to find a more capable group of lawyers.’

‘It's an excellent firm and an all-star team that offers top-level strategy,’ an interviewee comments.’

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Daniel Ruzumna acts for an array of individual and corporate clients seeking representation in complex criminal proceedings and investigations involving fraud, asset forfeiture and antitrust issues, among others. He is co-chair of the firm's white-collar department, and is described as ‘an excellent strategist who thinks steps ahead.’

Joshua Goldberg co-chairs the firm's white-collar group, and is widely praised for his work representing clients in litigation involving allegations such as fraud, insider trading and RICO violations. Interviewees consider him an ‘extremely diligent, creative, strategic and detail-focused attorney’ who ‘leaves no stone unturned and dives into the detail of a case.’”

PRODUCT LIABILITY & MASS TORTS – NATIONWIDE

“John Winter is a seasoned practitioner who frequently represents major multinational companies on pharmaceutical and medical device MDLs, with further experience in toxic torts. His practice sees him appear before both state and federal courts.”

REAL ESTATE: MAINLY DIRT – NEW YORK

“Highly regarded leasing practice, regularly engaged by major tenants and landlords for complex transactions. Also proficient in the financing, acquisition and disposition of high-value real estate assets.

Sources Say: ‘It is a great firm with talented lawyers that provide first-class and timely service.’

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Andrew Herz operates a broad-based commercial real estate lawyer advising corporate clients on acquisition, development and leasing transactions. Peers consider him ‘a strong practitioner.’

Robert Safron is noted for his experience in leasing and other commercial real estate matters. A source praises his ‘great business sense.’”