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Our clients turn to RK&O for representation in sophisticated, high-stakes litigation that often involves cutting-edge legal issues.  Our advocacy is characterized by vigor, superior analytic skills and strategic judgment, with a sharp focus on the client’s business goals and a commitment to cost-efficiency.  We understand the importance of realistic risk assessment and committing the right resources for success.  Our litigation clients know they will benefit from the attention of senior attorneys and from a staffing approach that stresses quality over quantity.

RK&O’s litigation group is experienced, tough and client-focused.  Our lawyers are veterans in every phase of litigation — from negotiation through arbitration or trial and appeal. We have appeared in state and federal trial courts and bankruptcy courts throughout the United States; have extensive experience authoring appellate briefs and arguing before federal and state courts of appeals; and are broadly skilled in arbitration and mediation.  Many of our litigators have served as Assistant United States Attorneys, in senior positions with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or as law clerks in federal or state courts.  In addition, our deep regulatory and criminal practice makes us uniquely adept at addressing civil litigation strategy and risk assessment in the context of parallel proceedings.

RK&O’s litigators advise and represent major commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, insurance companies, investment advisers, broker-dealers, accounting firms, and Fortune 500 companies.  In addition to our prominence in the financial services industry, we have particular experience in the advertising, aircraft, manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors.  We also represent individual professionals in the financial services industry, senior management of public and private companies and public company directors.

Our litigation matters often involve the capital markets; complex commercial disputes over contract, tort, antitrust, and intellectual property claims; executive employment and compensation issues; creditors’ rights and bankruptcy; and securities and shareholder litigation.

We are counselors as well as advocates.  We measure our success not only by dispute outcomes, but also by future conflicts avoided.  Clients often seek our assistance in evaluating possible litigation risks or arbitrage opportunities associated with an investment or other business decision.  Our clients trust us to understand the interplay between litigation risk and commercial judgment.

RK&O is proud of its reputation for litigation expertise, judgment, and integrity.  We seek to provide our clients with the kind of service we would want to receive.

Publications

• "Derivatives risk remains poorly understood" by Craig Newman and David Daniels published in Financial Times
• "Managing Insider Trading Risks as an Ad Hoc Committee Member" by Jon Kibbe, Michael Mann, Eva Marie Carney and Scott Budlong featured in the LSTA 2012 Loan Market Chronicle
• "Still in Flux: Legal and Regulatory Developments Affecting the Analysis of Information Flow in the U.S. Secondary Loan Market" by Julia Lu and Jennifer Grady published in the LSTA 2012 Loan Market Chronicle
• “The imperfect hedge: bail-in risk and CDS contracts” by Julia Lu and John Clark published in Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law

Presentations

• Daniel Stein and Craig Newman to lead “Civil Enforcement Cases: Emerging Trends and Issues in the Wake of the Financial Crisis” PLI briefing
• James Walker presents “LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, Oh My! Ethics & Privacy in Social Media” hosted by the LSTA
• Brian Fraser speaks in “Litigation Super Star Strategies & Techniques” webinar
• James Walker participates in PLI “Ethics for Corporate Counsel: Multijurisdictional Practice and Other Current Issues” seminar

News & Announcements

• Craig Newman quoted in Arizona Republic article “ASU history professor at center of plagiarism debate”
• Craig Newman quoted in The Wrap article “For Rupert Murdoch, Parliament Report Could Spur U.S. Legal Woes”
• Brian Fraser quoted in The Bond Buyer article “Providence Confronts a Pension Problem That's Not So Divine”
• Shari Brandt quoted in Investor’s Business Daily article “Best Buy Botched CEO Exit News But Shined in Probe”