SFNR's Litigation Group features seasoned trial lawyers who deliver
results. The Group's philosophy of practice mirrors that of our Firm:
to provide cost- effective legal representation that gives full
consideration to the objectives of our clients. We do not consider
litigation to
be an end onto itself, but rather one of several options
available to our clients to solve their legal problems and meet their
business objectives. Consistent with our clients' best interests, we
zealously litigate, mediate and/or arbitrate. Because nothing drives a
favorable settlement more than readiness for trial, we are prepared to
try any case, quickly and in as cost-effective a manner as practical.
We work closely with our clients to develop case strategies and to
ensure decision-making consistent with stated objectives. More
importantly, we strive for a level of personal contact with each
client that, as a Firm, we take pride in maintaining. We explore all
available options with our clients, and target our investigation,
research, discovery, and litigation efforts to desired objectives.
Flexibility is an important, if not critical, trait for litigators
in today's legal environment, and we recognize that litigation is
initiated to serve multiple, diverse goals: economic, social,
political, and personal. Our Litigation Group factors the goals of
each client into our recommended strategies.
SFNR's Litigation Group represents clients in federal and state
courts throughout the nation, in the appellate courts, and before
state and federal non-judicial forums, such as regulatory and
administrative bodies. We service an unusually diverse group of
clients in myriad legal areas, including:
Commercial litigation and business disputes, such as shareholder
and corporate disputes, business torts, contract actions, issues
relating to the sale of businesses, and debtor-creditor relations;
Claims arising under the Uniform Commercial Code, such as disputes
involving the sale of goods or business warranty claims;
Partnership and joint venture disputes, breach of fiduciary duty
claims, and winding up of partnership and business ventures;
Securities litigation, including claims of securities fraud, public
and private shareholder disputes, violations of securities statutes,
venture capital and non-traditional financing transactions, and suits
upon corporate bonds and other debt instruments;
Consumer and common law fraud actions, claims involving unfair
competition, deceptive business practices, and violations of state and
federal anti-trust laws;
Labor and employment law matters, such
as claims under all state, federal and local discrimination laws,
prosecution and defense of sexual and other harassment claims,
wrongful discharge, including at administrative and quasi-judicial
forums across the country, and other involuntary termination
situations, such as mass layoff or plant closings;
Employee benefit claims, including under the Employee Retirement and
Income Security Act of 1974, and violations of state and federal wage
and hour laws;
Claims arising out of contractual covenants not to compete,
restrictions on the solicitation of customers, employees and
suppliers, restrictions on the use and disclosure of confidential
information, plus violations of state and federal statutes relating to
the protection of trade secrets;
Traditional labor law issues, including representing clients in
proceedings before both the National Labor Relations Board and federal
courts involving union organizing and decertification campaigns,
matters involving work stoppages, strikes, lockouts, and violence
related to labor unrest, collective bargaining negotiations, and
traditional labor arbitrations before forums such as the Federal
Mediation and Conciliation Service;
Class actions in both state and federal court, including for large
insurance companies involved in financial and consumer matters, claims
involving banks and other lending sources, and claims in the debt
collection industry, such as factoring agencies;
The defense and prosecution of copyright and trademark infringements,
including computer software, licensing and related agreements
pertaining to intellectual property, and the new horizon of claims
spanning internet usage, including defamation and First Amendment
actions;
Insurance coverage disputes, including securing coverage under all
categories of coverage for our business clients, as well as defending
insurers in coverage claims;
Traditional tort litigation, including defense of products liability,
personal injury and property damage claims, as well as intentional
torts and claims for emotional distress;
Representing our distributor, dealer, sales representative and
franchise clients in litigation involving all aspects of their
businesses, including internal disputes, commission claims, contract
matters, sales of goods, warranty claims, issues pertaining to
information shared with other supply chain partners, and claims of
wrongful termination seeking the recovery of termination benefits;
Trust and estate litigation, including disputes involving family
trusts and partnerships, trustee disputes, guardian and disabled
estate litigation, and issues relating to the disposition of wealth;
Real estate litigation, including the representation of owners,
developers, investors, contractors, and associations in all areas of
real estate law, including landlord/tenant disputes; defective
building claims against developers; disputes between partners, REITs,
homeowners, condominium associations, or members; eminent domain;
partition suits; and suits relating to the status of title; claims
involving federal and state environmental issues; and mechanic and
construction liens;
The representation of clients in matters involving federal and state
taxation, including property tax appeals, and challenges to various
types of business and consumer taxes;
Professional liability claims, including for attorney and accountant
malpractice, and claims against other professional practitioners and
associations.
