White Collar Defense and Investigations

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is pleased to announce that six of our practice areas and fourteen of our partners and counsel received recognition in the newly released Chambers USA - America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2022.

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
• 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
• Harry Sandick in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – New York
• Saul B. Shapiro in Media & Entertainment: Litigation – New York
• Stephanie Teplin in Litigation: Securities: Institutional Plaintiffs – Mainly RMBS Litigation – 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 2022 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: 'The team provides very smart legal analysis and tailors the advice to what the client actually wants while still providing strong legal work.'

Another source adds: 'They are without peers as litigators in their abilities to defend matters and understand complex industries and devices.'

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Steven Zalesin is described by interviewees as 'absolutely terrific.’ One client notes: 'Steve has blown us away with the quality of his work. Not only does he do amazing legal work, but he really understands what is important to clients and focuses on ensuring that client priorities come first without compromising the quality of the legal work’  ‘I am very impressed with his intelligence and his understanding of the law. '" 

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.

Sources Say: 'The firm's ability to handle complex and sophisticated anticounterfeiting matters, including international ones, is strong. They coordinate well with foreign counsel and private investigators.'

KEY INDIVIDUALS:

William Cavanaugh is considered 'A fantastic trial advocate' 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.

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

Robert LoBue combines his substantial trademark and copyright experience with expertise in First Amendment matters. He regularly handles matters for major publishers.

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. Sources says: 'He is one of the premier anticounterfeiting litigators with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical sector.' 'Geoffrey is extremely capable, smart, and does everything he can to shut illicit trade schemes down to keep patients safe, while delivering real value to his clients.'

Lewis Popovski acts for notable clients in the technology sector and draws praise for his work litigating patent infringement disputes. One source notes, 'Lewis is a creative and talented lawyer who litigates cases in an efficient manner to win or settle favorably. '"

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: 'They are always effective and make their presence known. They also play their department in a lean and strategic manner.'

KEY INDIVIDIUALS: One source notes, Peter Tomlinson 'has broad subject matter expertise and litigation skills, he's commercial and creative and he also has strong relationships with clients and counsel on both sides. "An experienced, savvy and creative litigator.'"

Stephanie Teplin is regarded as having 'an encyclopedic knowledge of the space. She can estimate the amount of time something will take and be absolutely on the mark with it’ ‘She is a very talented and client-friendly attorney. She's wonderful to work with."

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

"Longstanding New York-based firm with a solid 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: 'The team is unmatched in its ability to understand complex industries and has outstanding associate support.'

'Patterson Belknap is a great firm with good depth of experience and a team that staffs projects appropriately to help control costs.'

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 bringing 'tremendous experience to the table and is a pleasure to work with.’  ‘A probing trial lawyer with great judgment.'

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 expert in anti-money laundering and a strong, intelligent and capable advocate.’ 'He is an outstanding attorney.’

Harry Sandick has a wealth of experience handling criminal investigations on behalf of both individual and corporate clients, including matters with cross-border complexities. He is described as 'super knowledgeable and incredibly responsive.’  ‘He is a very effective and trusted counsel.’"

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.

Sources Say: 'John is an excellent lawyer and a pleasure to work with.’  ‘John's expertise includes sophisticated strategic advice and trial experience and skills.'"

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.

KEY INDIVIDUALS: Andrew Herz operates a broad-based commercial real estate lawyer advising corporate clients on acquisition, development and leasing transactions."

MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT: LITIGATION – NEW YORK

“Saul Shapiro is cochair of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler's media and entertainment team, as well as chair of the firm's litigation department. He handles a broad range of disputes at the trial and appellate levels.

Sources Say: ‘Clients finds him to be a fantastic lawyer.’  ‘He is a recognized name in this space.’”