Antitrust Counseling in Proposed Telecommunications Acquisition
Represented AT&T before the DOJ and FCC on antitrust matters related to proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA, including pre-merger integration counseling and planning.
Dean Foods Company Derivative Litigation
Represent Dean Foods Company in shareholder derivative litigation in which current and former directors are alleged to have breached their fiduciary duties to the company by participating in, or failing to prevent, violations of U.S. antitrust laws.
Dynegy Inc. Securities and Derivative Litigation
Represented Dynegy Inc. in putative securities class action and in shareholder derivative suits arising from allegations of fraudulent accounting treatment of certain energy contracts and a natural gas transaction, and from purported energy market manipulation.
Financial Services Antitrust Investigation
Representation of leading financial services provider in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division into alleged antitrust violations in the municipal finance industry.
Fleming Companies Securities Litigation
Defended underwriters of a grocery wholesaler's secondary stock offering against a class action alleging accounting misstatements were made in the offering registration statement and prospectus.
Flowserve Corporation Derivative Litigation
Obtained dismissal of shareholder derivative suits in New York and Texas alleging that directors and officers breached their fiduciary duties in connection with accounting restatement, merger integration issues, and missed earnings projections.
Flowserve Corporation Securities Litigation
Defending a worldwide manufacturer of pumps, valves and seals for flow control systems in a class action alleging securities fraud arising from accounting restatement, merger integration issues, and missed earnings projections. Obtained an order denying class certification and granting complete summary judgment in favor of the defendants, which was remanded for further proceedings after appeal.
In re Arena Resources, Inc. Shareholder Litigation
Represented acquired entity, Arena Resources, Inc., and its board of directors in nine shareholder class actions filed in two Nevada state courts, two Oklahoma state courts, and Oklahoma federal court, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with the board’s approval of the $1.6 billion acquisition of the company by SandRidge Energy, Inc.
Neutral Posture Ergonomics, Inc. Securities Litigation
We obtained dismissal on behalf of a chair manufacturer and its officers and directors of class action lawsuit alleging violations of Texas securities laws, common law fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
pcOrder.com, Inc. Securities Litigation
Obtained a dismissal of a putative class action brought under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against an e-commerce software company, its public subsidiary, and certain directors and officers alleging a lack of internal controls, improper revenue recognition, and undisclosed sales and product problems. Alcina v. pcOrder.com, Inc., 230 F. Supp. 2d 732 (W.D. Tex. 2002). In a companion case under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, we successfully opposed class certification on grounds that the proposed class representatives lacked standing to sue and that the proposed representatives and their counsel were inadequate. Krim v. pcOrder.com, Inc., 210 F.R.D. 581 (W.D. Tex. 2002). We obtained dismissal of the remaining individual plaintiffs’ claims. Krim v. pcOrder.com, Inc., 2003 WL 21076787 (W.D. Tex. May 5, 2003). That ruling was affirmed on appeal by the Fifth Circuit. 402 F.3d 489 (5th Cir. March 1, 2005).
The Pinnacle Fund, L.P. v. World Wireless Communications, Inc.
Successfully represented hedge fund as plaintiff in action arising from the defendant company’s failure to register shares with the SEC as required by the offering materials in a PIPE transaction.
Triton Energy Corp. Securities Litigation
Defended an oil and gas company in a putative class action alleging misrepresentations and omissions regarding the company's oil and gas production prospects, and the status of a bidding process for the company's assets.
United States of America v. Hoeffner, No. 4:07-cr-00263 (S.D.-Houston Div. 2010)
Following a 15-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, we represented a prominent lawyer, who had recovered millions of dollars for his clients in toxic tort lawsuits. The indictment alleged payment of bribes and kickbacks to two employees of an insurance company in connection with the settlements of these lawsuits. After a 6-week trial, the judge declared a mistrial when the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The case involved thousands of documents, more than 30 witnesses, and numerous complex motions.
Vaalco Energy, Inc. Proxy Contest Litigation
Filed lawsuit alleging securities laws violations on behalf of independent oil company against a hedge fund-led insurgent group that had launched a proxy contest aimed at unseating three of the company’s directors. Obtained temporary restraining order, which prompted immediate settlement whereby insurgent shareholder group withdrew competing nominees to board of directors and cast votes in favor of company’s director nominees.