major commercial litigation

major commercial litigation

"A high-quality practice that offers creativeness, responsiveness and efficiency." Chambers USA

Nationally Recognized in Commercial Litigation

Expert trial lawyers represent leading corporations and financial institutions in significant and complex commercial litigation across US.

Preeminence in Complex Financial/Business Litigation

Preeminent practice in representing public companies, accounting firms, investment bankers, underwriters, venture capitalists, private equity firms and others in complex financial transaction litigation, including:

  • Major contractual disputes
  • Corporate governance
  • Financial statements 
  • Financial instruments
  • Press disclosures
  • Rights under complex partnership agreements
  • SEC filings

Significant Tort Defense

Extensive experience in tort defense work, including:

  • Major industrial accidents
  • Large scale property damage claims
  • Products liability
  • Wrongful death actions

Leader in Class Action Defense

Leader in litigating class action claims in federal and state courts throughout US, including:

  • Accounting fraud
  • Antitrust
  • Consumer protection & unfair trade
  • ERISA
  • Securities

Leading Securities Litigation Practice

Leading practice in representing public companies and officers and directors in securities fraud cases across US, including:

  • Internal investigations
  • SEC, FINRA and state securities division investigations
  • SEC civil investigations and proceedings
  • SEC white collar defense

Expert in Antitrust

Expert in all areas of antitrust, including litigating antitrust cases and managing antitrust issues in complex transactions such as mergers, joint ventures, IP licensing and pricing.  Representing and advising clients in Hart-Scott-Rodino compliance and federal and state antitrust law:

  • Federal Trade Commission
  • US Department of Justice
  • State Attorney Generals’ Offices

Lead Counsel

Lead counsel in cases of regional and national significance, including:

  • Bedi v. Hewlett-Packard Company
  • John Hancock v. Abbott Laboratories
  • MBTA v. City of Somerville and City of Melrose
  • Billings v. GTFM, LLC
  • Seguros Caracas de Liberty Mutual v. Goldman Sachs
  • Reisman v. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Bench Strength

Over 75 trial lawyers and skilled litigation support team members with expertise in securities, corporate, tax, finance, healthcare, IP, tort, and labor & employment.  Lawyers throughout practice areas consistently receive national recognition for excellence.  Named a “Go-to Firm” in Litigation in 2010 by Corporate Counsel.

Reach

Representation before federal and state courts and government agencies and in arbitrations across United States and internationally.

blue chip clients

Lead counsel for blue chip clients, including:

Agilent Technologies

Bank of America

Bayer Corporation

Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Cabot Corporation

Cape Cod Healthcare 

Clinical Data, Inc.

EMC

Ernst & Young

Ford Motor Credit

Heritage Partners

Hewlett-Packard

IBM 

John Hancock

L-1 Identity Solutions

Liberty Mutual

Mass Mutual

PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Raytheon

Southwall Technologies

Thermo Electron

Choate Obtains Summary Judgment in favor of MBTA

Choate represented the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in litigation brought by the Cities of Somerville and Melrose seeking to regulate the MBTA's commercial advertising activities in and on its own facilities under local zoning laws.  Choate succeeded in obtaining judgment on a “case stated” basis in favor of the MBTA in early April 2007, less than six months after the commencement of litigation.

Choate prevents Morgan Stanley from declaring default

Choate, as Special Assistant Attorneys General, represented the Department of the State Treasurer and Receiver General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in litigation against Morgan Stanley Derivative Products concerning Morgan Stanley's right to re-set rates under a rate swap agreement relating to over $496 million of general obligation refunding bonds issued by the Commonwealth.  While Morgan Stanley initially sought to have the Commonwealth declared in default of its obligations, Choate obtained relief preventing Morgan Stanley from declaring a default, and ultimately secured a resolution of the matter validating the Commonwealth's position.