Services

Simonson Law PLLC founder Leif T. Simonson has 20+ years of experience representing clients in highly complex disputes in federal and state courts and in arbitrations around the country. These include Business Litigation and Disputes, Corporate / Shareholder Litigation and Disputes, Securities / Financial Services Litigation and Disputes and Debtor-Creditor Litigation and Disputes.

Business Disputes

Business Litigation and Disputes

Disputes between businesses, including as commercial counterparties, joint ventures or other business arrangements.

Select Business Disputes Experience (including at prior firms)

  • Represented Vietnamese company in dispute concerning alleged breach of term sheet for a sponsorship and naming rights agreement concerning a proposed immersive entertainment venue to be constructed in Las Vegas, Nevada, valued at ~$80 million.
  • Represented US-based private equity company in dispute concerning indemnification claims and asserted hold back of ~$70 million in indemnity escrow fund in connection with sale of portfolio companies to Fortune 500 company.
  • Represented Taiwanese company in dispute with global service provider concerning alleged overcharging for provision of patent renewal services.
  • Advised special committee of board of directors of energy company with respect to dispute with counterparty alleging that contemplated transaction would constitute breach of a supply and service agreement.

Corporate Disputes

Corporate / Shareholder Litigation and Disputes

Disputes between shareholders and/or boards of directors of corporate entities.

Select Corporate / Shareholder Disputes Experience (including at prior firms)

  • Represented several public companies and their officers and directors in numerous derivative and class action suits arising out of mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity refinancing, leveraged buyouts and going private transactions.
  • Advised special committee of the board of a Fortune 100 company in conducting an investigation in response to a shareholder demand alleging breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Represented of US subsidiary of South Korean parent company as member with 51% interest in two-member limited liability company in $10+ million dispute concerning a buyout under the member deadlock provisions of the LLC agreement.
  • Represented affiliate of prestigious consulting firm in dispute concerning buy out or transfer of class C preference shares.

Investment Disputes

Securities / Financial Services Litigation and Disputes

Disputes between investors and those involved in their investments, including issuers, underwritings or others in the financial services industry.

Representative Securities / Investment Disputes (including at prior firms)

  • Represented Fortune 500 public company in several securities fraud class actions relating to its accounting and a $1.9 billion restatement of revenue.
  • Represented several large corporate clients asserting securities fraud claims against institutional banks in connection with their marketing of auction rate securities.
  • Represented hedge funds in disputes involving investments in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) backed by real estate loans, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other debt obligations.
  • Represented residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) trustees in numerous litigations asserting breaches of representations and warranties in connection with residential mortgage-backed securitizations.
  • Represented issuer in dispute with financial advisor concerning underwriting fees and withholding of consent under right of first refusal provision of underwriting agreement.
  • Represented former director of an electronic gaming casino-supplier in defense against a class action alleging violations of securities laws related to the collapse of the company.
  • Represented founder and CEO of company as a defendant in several civil cases alleging the company to be a Ponzi scheme.
  • Represented former executive in responding to non-party subpoena in securities fraud class actions.

Debtor-Creditor Disputes

Debtor-Creditor Litigation and Disputes

Disputes between debtors and creditors, including among lenders, borrowers, banks and customers.

Representative Debtor-Creditor Disputes (including at prior firms)

  • Represented Asia-based hedge funds in claims against Chinese issuers and offshore guarantors of corporate bonds in default.
  • Represented European investment bank in a dispute against major US bank arising from the collapse of a US $2 billion credit facility.
  • Represented European company in claims against major US bank in seeking to recover funds stolen through unauthorized bank transfers.
  • Represented hedge fund in several adversary proceedings relating to bankruptcies resulting from the arrest and conviction of Tom Petters for a US $3 billion Ponzi scheme.