Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP

Managing Partner: Marc E. Kasowitz

Number of partners: 85

Number of other lawyers: 149

Firm Overview

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP is one of the largest litigation firms in the country. Kasowitz’s core focus is commercial litigation, complemented by its exceptionally strong bankruptcy/restructuring and real estate transactional practices. The firm is known for its creative, aggressive litigators and willingness to take on tough cases. Kasowitz has extensive trial experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in every area of litigation.

Main Areas of Practice

Complex Commercial Litigation: 

Kasowitz’s practice encompasses all aspects of litigation, including antitrust, banking, complex financial products, employment, general commercial, intellectual property, international arbitration, investigations and white collar defense, mass tort and product liability, real estate, and securities litigation. Kasowitz strives to achieve favorable results for its clients by focusing from the beginning of each case on preparation for trial.

Notable Representations: 

■ MBIAin a decade-long put-back action against Credit Suisse in which MBIA sought to recover for breaches of representations and warranties related to RMBS insured by MBIA.After a two-week bench trial in New York State Supreme Court, the court found that MBIA had convincingly proved that Credit Suisse breached its representations and warranties, and that Credit Suisse was liable for over $600 million in damages.

■ BD Hotels and Chelsea Hotel Owner LLC, owners of the iconic Hotel Chelsea, in successfully ending a two-year dispute with New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation Development prompted by a vocal minority of hostile tenants objecting to the redevelopment of the historic hotel.

■ The State of Hawaiiin an action alleging fraud, False Claims Act violations and other claims against technology firm Ciber and its insurers stemming from an implementation of Oracle software for the State’s Department of Transportation, resulting in a $31 million recovery, exceeding the $7 million Hawaii paid to Ciber for the failed ERP project.

■ Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz, the stars of ‘Bones,’ and its producer in an action against 21st Century Fox and other Fox entities for fraud and breach of contract, resulting in a $179 million arbitration award against Fox.

■ MF Global Holdings in a $3 billion accounting malpractice suit against PricewaterhouseCoopers, which settled after a month of trial.

Bankruptcy Litigation & Restructuring: 

Kasowitz represents major parties in the largest bankruptcies and restructurings throughout the country. The firm is a leader in representing investors in securities of distressed companies, as well as debtor companies. The firm represents businesses in developing legal strategies for their financial rehabilitation, working closely with clients to achieve an attractive resolution.

Intellectual Property Litigation: 

Kasowitz has extensive experience in all aspects of intellectual property, including patent, trademark, trade secret, false advertising, copyright, right of publicity, and related antitrust and unfair competition litigation. The firm handles disputes concerning computer software and hardware, medical devices, telecommunications, semiconductors, financial services, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemical processes, manufacturing processes, and other areas.

White Collar Defense & Investigations: 

Kasowitz’s white collar defense and investigations group is built on a foundation of deeply rooted government experience and decades of success defending corporations and individuals in highly sensitive regulatory and criminal matters. The firm’s attorneys include a former United States senator, a former United States Attorney, numerous former US and District Attorneys and two former state attorneys general.

Real Estate Transactions: 

Kasowitz’s real estate team represents developers, private and institutional investors, opportunity funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), lenders and servicers, and major corporations in various types of transactions.

Key Clients: 

The firm’s clients have included: Aman Resorts; Astra Asset Management; BD Hotels; Centerbridge Partners; Comcast; Condé Nast; Davidson Kempner Capital Management; Douglas Elliman; Elie Tahari; Energy Transfer Partners; Fairfax Financial Holdings; Ford Motor Company; Genting Malaysia Berhad; Google; Harbinger Capital Partners; InterContinental Hotels Group; JDS Development Group; Laidlaw & Company; Levi-Strauss; Liggett Group; MacAndrews & Forbes; Mahindra & Mahindra; Marc Fisher Footwear; MBIA; MF Global Holdings; Morgans Hotel Group; MusclePharm; National Grid; NJOY; Northwell Health; Pilgrim’s Pride; Purolite; Renco; Rescap; Starwood Capital; State of Hawaii; Teva Pharmaceuticals; The Palm Restaurant; TPG; U.S. Bank; USG Asbestos Trust; Vector Group; Waterfall Asset Management; W.C. Bradley; XPO Logistics; Yellow; Zydus Pharmaceuticals and ZTE Corporation.