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Arnold & Porter LLP is widely recognized for our successful record of representing clients in sensitive, complex, or high-stakes litigation nationwide, particularly in matters at the intersection of law, business and public policy. Chambers USA 2011 notes that Arnold & Porter has a "prominent track record in litigating cases on behalf of public companies… and a strong reputation for its expertise in class action defense." Our litigation practice integrates the firm's regulatory expertise, combining a deep understanding of the regulatory, technical, and business issues facing our clients with creative legal analysis to develop the most effective defense strategy. Our lawyers prepare each case with the expectation of going to trial. This trial-ready approach allows us to aggressively pursue the most favorable results for our clients; whether it is securing a verdict at trial, winning through motion practice, or avoiding the risks of litigation through negotiation.
Our substantial bench of litigators is more than 400 strong and draws on the significant experience of former federal, state and international prosecutors; former government officials; former clerks to the US Supreme Court, and appellate, district and other courts; and seasoned trial lawyers. Recently, Arnold & Porter litigators could be found representing client interests in trial and appellate courts in 40 states across the country, as well as before government agencies and other tribunals. Clients turn to us to resolve commercial disputes, defend against tort claims, defend class and derivative actions, fend off government enforcement proceedings, and challenge government action.
Another hallmark of our litigation practice is the ability to continuously advocate on our clients' behalf - from investigation to litigation; from trial to appeal to the Supreme Court. We have been involved in precedent-setting cases in virtually every major sector including accountant and attorney liability, antitrust & competition, appellate, class action, consumer protection, employment and labor, first amendment, government contracts, international arbitration, mass tort & toxic tort, patent infringement, product liability, securities & shareholder, unfair competition and white collar. Arnold & Porter also has a venerable pro bono practice.
Significant cases include:
- State of Rhode Island v. Atlantic Richfield Company, et al. Won a defense verdict after a four-month trial in one of the most significant "public nuisance" cases; the jury exonerated our client while finding three other former lead paint manufacturers liable.
- American Savings Bank v. United States. Won a US$401.5-million plaintiff's verdict in a breach of contract action arising out of promises made by the US government to entice our client to purchase an insolvent thrift.
- Amos et al. v. GEICO Corp. et al. Defeated national class action alleging GEICO discriminated based on race in its underwriting criteria.
- Oakland Raiders Litigation. Represented the Oakland Raiders against the City of Oakland, Alameda County, and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Inc. in a multi-million dollar fraud and breach of contract suit relating to the Raiders' 1995 return to Oakland from Los Angeles, resulting in a $34 million verdict for our client.
- Wyeth Diet Drug Litigation. Served as national counsel for thousands of cases in 17 states involving alleged heart valve injury due to ingestion of diet drugs. We coordinated the overall trial strategy and obtained 10 defense verdicts after 2004. Our lawyers developed the innovative class action settlement.
- Brown v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. Won affirmance in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit of our lower court ruling dismissing, as preempted by federal law, purported class action claims of fraudulent misrepresentation and concealment, and breach of express and implied warranties related to the sale of "light" cigarettes.