The Firm’s attorneys have unparalleled trial experience in the plaintiffs’ securities bar, having tried more than 200 cases, including scores of complex trials nationwide. For example:
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Founding partner Stanley Bernstein was Lead Trial Counsel representing the public stockholders of Quickturn Design Systems, Inc., in a trial in the Delaware Chancery Court that invalidated a poison pill anti-takeover provision. This decision was later affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court, paving the way to a takeover of Quickturn at a substantial premium for stockholders.
Additionally, he has tried many complex commercial and corporate cases in federal and state courts.
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In March 2006, Mr. Bernstein had a major win at trial in a pro bono case of first impression vindicating freedom of religion rights. The Firm represented the Westchester Day School (“WDS”), an Orthodox Jewish day school, in a bitter zoning litigation with the Village of Mamaroneck, New York, the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village (the “ZBA”), and members of the ZBA in their official capacities (together, the “Village”). The dispute arose from the Village’s efforts to deny WDS permission to perform much needed construction and renovations on the secluded 26-acre property it had utilized for over 55 years. After a seven-day bench trial, the Court issued a 161-page reported Opinion and Order entering judgment in WDS’s favor, finding that “the ZBA’s denial of the Application was so contrary to the evidence and to the equities as to be arbitrary and capricious,” and that the Village “substantially burdened WDS’s religious exercise without a compelling government interest exercised in the least restrictive means.” The Court granted a mandatory injunction ordering the ZBA to approve the application. See Westchester Day School v. Village of Mamaroneck, 417 F. Supp. 2d 477 (S.D.N.Y. 2006).
Five Lawyers at the Firm have worked either as government prosecutors or SEC trial counsel, garnering significant trial experience:
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Partner Francis Karam was an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx, where he served as a senior Trial Attorney in the Homicide Bureau. He entered private practice in 1990, specializing in trial and appellate work in both state and federal court. Mr. Karam has tried many civil and criminal cases, including complex cases involving tax and commercial fraud. Mr. Karam is an active teacher and lecturer for the National Institute of Trial Lawyers.
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As Senior Counsel in the Enforcement Division of the SEC from 1993 through 1998, partner Rebecca Katz prosecuted and tried major cases involving violations of the federal securities laws, including insider trading, market manipulation, and accounting fraud.
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Partner Timothy MacFall has served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where he represented the United States in numerous civil trials and argued approximately fifteen cases before the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; a Trial Attorney in the Immigration & Naturalization Service, where he participated in dozens of exclusion and deportation hearings; and an Assistant District Attorney in the Narcotics Bureau of the Kings County District Attorney's Office, where he tried numerous cases to verdict.
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Of counsel Ronald Aranoff served as an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County, New York, where he successfully tried numerous cases to verdict. He has continued to try cases upon entering private practice.
In addition to these five, partner Jeffrey Haber has been a member of multiple trial teams in complex civil cases, including two securities cases, and has conducted numerous securities arbitrations before the NASD and NYSE. Of counsel Mark Millkey participated in trying a six-week jury trial of a commercial dispute on behalf of a counterclaim plaintiff, resulting in a nine-figure, multimillion dollar verdict. Of counsel Abraham Katsman participated in trying a two-month securities class action trial.
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