Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

Associated Partners

Our attorneys are internationally known for their innovative, vigorous and practical approach to litigation.

Our firm is one of the most experienced law firms in the United States in defending complex multidistrict litigation. We continue to represent domestic and foreign clients in major litigation, trials and appeals in state and federal courts throughout the country.

The breadth of our practice is illustrated by the varied cases we have litigated recently, including:

  • Defense of property and insurance litigation arising from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
  • Defense of wrongful death and personal injury claims arising from several recent domestic and foreign air crash disasters
  • Product liability claims involving regional and business aviation aircraft, industrial equipment, military hardware and consumer products
  • Property damage claims arising from satellite launch failures
  • International arbitration disputes on various commercial matters, including intellectual property, insurance and construction contracts

In addition to our litigation and trial expertise, our attorneys are actively involved in all types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration, mediation, mini-trials and facilitated negotiations. Since its inception eighty-seven years ago, our firm has been at the forefront of finding solutions for clients with global operations, many of whom often require creative, confidential means of resolving high-stakes disputes other than litigation. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in all forms of ADR including international and domestic arbitrations, mediations, mini-trials and facilitated settlement negotiations. The firm has a proven track record in ADR involving aviation, insurance, reinsurance, employment, and general commercial matters and has particular expertise in handling arbitrations involving insurance policies and reinsurance contracts issued by the London insurance market.

Certain partners of the firm are trained and certified in mediation by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and act as private mediators in a variety of commercial matters. A number of partners also serve as mediators specially appointed by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Along with our trial and ADR expertise, the firm has a nationwide civil appellate practice with more than 100 reported decisions in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal and numerous state appellate courts, many of which established important precedent relating to aviation, product liability, insurance, treaty interpretation and foreign sovereign immunity.

Following is a list of the precedent setting appellate decisions in cases handled by our attorneys:

United States Supreme Court

  • Olympic Airways v. Husain, 540 U.S. 644 (2004)
  • EL AL Israel Airlines, Ltd. v. Tseng, 525 U.S. 155 (1999), rev’g 122 F.3d 99 (2d Cir. 1997)
  • Dooley v. Korean Air Lines, 524 U.S. 116 (1998), aff’g 117 F.3d 1477 (D.C. Cir. 1997)
  • Zicherman v. Korean Air Lines, 516 U.S. 217 (1996), rev’g in part 43 F.3d 18 (2d Cir. 1994)
  • Chan v. Korean Air Lines, Ltd., 490 U.S. 122 (1989), aff’g 829 F.2d 1171 (D.C. Cir. 1987)
  • Helicopteros Nacionales de Columbia, S.A. v. Hall, 466 U.S. 408 (1984), rev’g 638 S.W.2d 870 (Tex. 1982)
  • Stencel Aero Eng’g Corp. v. United States, 431 U.S. 666 (1977)
  • Lisi v. Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane, S.p.A., 390 U.S. 455 (1968), aff’g by equally divided court 370 F.2d 508 (2d Cir. 1966)

United States Circuit Courts of Appeal

  • Baumeister v. Deutsche Lufthansa, AG, No. 14-2414, 2016 WL 385375 (7th Cir. Feb. 2, 2016)
  • Giannopoulos v. Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana, S.A., No. 14-2633, 2016 WL 385375 (7th Cir. Feb. 2, 2016)
  • Singh v. Caribbean Airlines Ltd., 798 F.3d 1355 (11th Cir. 2015)
  • Nguyen v. Korean Airlines, 807 F.3d 133 (5th Cir. 2015)
  • In re September 11th Litigation, 802 F.3d 314 (2d Cir. 2015)
  • Campbell v. Air Jamaica Ltd., 760 F.3d 1165 (11th Cir. 2014)
  • Narayanan v. British Airways, 747 F.3d 1125 (9th Cir. 2014)
  • Aboeid v. Saudi Arabian Airlines, 566 F. App’x 34 (2d Cir. 2014)
  • World Trade Center Properties LLC, et al., v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London, et al., 650 F.3d 145 (2d Cir. 2011)
  • Booker v. BWIA West Indies Airways Ltd., No. 07-3131-cv, 2009 WL 76516 (2d Cir. 2009)
  • Twardowski v. American Airlines, Inc., 535 F.3d 952 (9th Cir. 2008)
  • Tokarz v. LOT Polish Airlines, 258 F. App’x 377 (2d Cir. 2007)
  • Tamir v. Virgin Atlantic Airlines, 205 F. App’x 607 (9th Cir. 2006)
  • Cortez v. Air New Zealand Ltd., 203 F. App’x 31 (9th Cir. 2006)
  • Damon v. Air Pacific Ltd., 203 F. App’x 33 (9th Cir. 2006)
  • Blotteaux v. Qantas Airways Ltd., 171 F. App’x 566 (9th Cir. 2006)
  • Ballow Brasted O’Brien & Rusin P.C. v. Logan, 435 F.3d 235 (2d Cir. 2006)
  • Grosshandels-Und Lagerei-Berufsgenossenschaft v. World Trade Ctr. Props., LLC, 435 F.3d 136 (2d Cir. 2006)
  • Leenardo v. Singapore Airlines Ltd., 140 F. App’x 661 (9th Cir. July 27, 2005)
  • NipponKoa Ins. Co. v. Fed. Express Corp., 133 F. App’x 417 (9th Cir. 2005)
  • Boldhorizon Aerospace v. Saudi Arabian Airlines, 133 F. App’x 741 (11th Cir. 2005)
  • Bell Helicopter Textron v. Heliqwest Int’l, Ltd., 385 F.3d 1291 (10th Cir. 2004)
  • Rodriguez v. Ansett Australia, 383 F.3d 914 (9th Cir. 2004)
  • Prescod v. AMR, Inc., 383 F.3d 861 (9th Cir. 2004)
  • Wells Fargo Northwest Bank Nat’l Ass’n v. Varig-S.A., 108 F. App’x 6 (2d Cir. 2004)
  • Bartolomeu v. China Airlines, 53 F. App’x 406 (9th Cir. 2002)
  • Sabatino v. Emeana, 13 F. App’x 36 (2d Cir. 2001)
  • Sethy v. Malev-Hungarian Airlines, Inc., 13 F. App’x 18 (2d Cir. 2001)
  • Chubb & Son, Inc. v. Asiana Airlines, 214 F.3d 301 (2d Cir. 2000)
  • Nissan Fire & Marine Ins. Co., Ltd. v. Fritz Cos., 210 F.3d 1099 (9th Cir. 2000)
  • Intercargo Ins. Co. v. China Airlines, Ltd., 208 F.3d 64 (2d Cir. 2000)
  • Falcon v. Transportes Aeros de Coahuila, S.A., 169 F.3d 309 (5th Cir. 1999)
  • Pittman v. Grayson, 149 F.3d 111 (2d Cir. 1998)
  • Tower Int’l Inc. v. Caledonian Airways, Ltd., 133 F.3d 908 (2d Cir. 1998) (Table)
  • Klos v. Polskie Linie Lotnicze, 133 F.3d 164 (2d Cir. 1997)
  • Oldham v. Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd., 127 F.3d 43 (D.C. Cir. 1997)
  • Koirala v. Thai Airways Int’l., Ltd., 126 F.3d 1205 (9th Cir. 1997)
  • Azubuko v. Bd. of Dirs., British Airways, 101 F.3d 106 (1st Cir. 1996) (Table)
  • Morales v. Calderon, 85 F.3d 1387 (9th Cir. 1996)
  • Alcabasa v. Korean Air Lines, 62 F.3d 404 (D.C. Cir. 1995)
  • De Aguilar v. Boeing Co., 47 F.3d 1404 (5th Cir. 1995)
  • Lathigra v. British Airways PLC, 41 F.3d 535 (9th Cir. 1994)
  • De Aguilar v. Boeing Co., 11 F.3d 55 (5th Cir. 1993)
  • Iran Air v. Kugelman, 996 F.2d 1253 (D.C. Cir. 1993)
  • Gezzi v. British Airways PLC, 991 F.2d 603 (9th Cir. 1993)
  • Sherer v. Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A., 987 F.2d 1246 (6th Cir. 1993)
  • Javed v. British Airways PLC, 980 F.2d 1407 (11th Cir. 1993)
  • Distribuidora Dimsa v. Linea Aerea Del Cobre S.A., 976 F.2d 90 (2d Cir. 1992)
  • Swaminathan v. Swiss Air Transp. Co., 962 F.2d 387 (5th Cir. 1992)
  • Pflug v. Egyptair Corp., 961 F.2d 26 (2d Cir. 1992)
  • Fontan-de-Maldonado v. Lineas Aereas 
Costarricenses, S.A., 936 F.2d 630 (1st Cir. 1991)
  • Calderon v. Aerovias Nacionales de Columbia, 929 F.2d 599 (11th Cir. 1991)
  • In re Air Disaster at Lockerbie, Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988, 928 F.2d 1267 (2d Cir. 1991)
  • Jorgensen v. Mass. Port Auth., 905 F.2d 515 (1st Cir. 1990)
  • Datskow v. Teledyne, Inc., Cont’l Prods. Div., 899 F.2d 1298 (2d Cir. 1990)
  • Multinational Force Org. v. Orion Ins., 891 F.2d 905 (11th Cir. 1989) (Table)
  • Kuwait Airways Corp. v. American Sec. Bank, N.A., 890 F.2d 456 (D.C. Cir. 1989)
  • Galu v. Swissair: Swiss Air Transp. Co., 873 F.2d 650 (2d Cir. 1989)
  • Compania Mexicana De Aviacion, S.A. v. U.S. Dist. Court for Cent. Dist. of Cal., 859 F.2d 1354 (9th Cir. 
1988)
  • S. African Airways v. Dole, 817 F.2d 119 (D.C. Cir. 1987)
  • Kryvicky v. Scandinavian Airlines Sys., 807 F.2d 514 (6th Cir. 1986)
  • Butler v. Aeromexico, 774 F.2d 429 (11th Cir. 1985)
  • In re Alleged Food Poisoning Incident, Mar., 1984, 770 F.2d 3 (2d Cir. 1985)
  • Petrire v. Spantax, S.A., 756 F.2d 263 (2d Cir. 1985)
  • Exim Indus., Inc. v. Pan American World Airways, Inc., 754 F.2d 106 (2d Cir. 1985)
  • In re Air Crash Disaster at Warsaw, Poland, on Mar. 14, 1980, 748 F.2d 94 (2d Cir. 1984)
  • Highlands Ins. Co. v. Trinidad and Tobago (BWIA Intern.) Airways Corp., 739 F.2d 536 (11th Cir. 1984)
  • Abramson v. Japan Airlines Co., 739 F.2d 130 (3rd Cir. 1984)
  • Boehringer-Mannheim Diagnostics, Inc. v. Pan American World Airways, Inc., 737 F.2d 456 (5th Cir. 1984)
  • Irish Nat’l Ins. Co. v. Aer Lingus Teoranta, 739 F.2d 90 (2d Cir. 1984)
  • Laker Airways Ltd. v. Sabena, Belgian World Airlines, 731 F.2d 909 (D.C. Cir. 1984)
  • Global Int’l Airways Corp. v. Port Auth. of N.Y. and N.J., 727 F.2d 246 (2d Cir. 1984)
  • Overseas Nat’l Airways, Inc. v. Cargolux Airlines Int’l, S.A., 712 F.2d 11 (2d Cir. 1983)
  • Cheng v. Boeing Co., 708 F.2d 1406 (9th Cir. 1983)
  • In re Air Crash Disaster at Warsaw, Poland, on Mar. 14, 1980, 705 F.2d 85 (2d Cir. 1983)
  • Gayda v. LOT Polish Airlines, 702 F.2d 424 (2d Cir. 1983)
  • Cordero v. Cia Mexicana De Aviacion, S.A., 681 F.2d 669 (9th Cir. 1982)
  • Aeronaves de Mexico, S.A. v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 677 F.2d 771 (9th Cir. 1982)
  • Prejean v. Sonatrach, Inc., 652 F.2d 1260 (5th Cir. 1981)
  • Tokio Marine and Fire Ins. Co. v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 617 F.2d 936 (2d Cir. 1980)
  • Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschaapij, N.V. v. United Technologies Corp., 610 F.2d 1052 (2d Cir. 1979)
  • Keller v. Transportes Aereos Militares Ecuadorianos, 601 F. Supp. 787 (D.D.C. 1985)
  • Scandinavian Airlines Sys. v. United Aircraft Corp., 601 F.2d 425 (9th Cir. 1979)
  • British Airways Bd. v. Boeing Co., 585 F.2d 946 (9th Cir. 1978)
  • DeMarines v. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, 580 F.2d 
1193 (3d Cir. 1978)
  • Pakistan Int’l Airlines Corp. v. Boeing Co., 575 F.2d 1268 (9th Cir. 1978)
  • Benjamins v. British European Airways, 572 F.2d 913 (2d Cir. 1978)
  • Delta Air Lines, Inc., v. United States, 561 F.2d 381 (1st Cir. 1977)
  • Israel Aircraft Indus., Ltd. v. Standard Precision, 559 F.2d 203 (2d Cir. 1977)
  • Foremost Int’l Tours, Inc. v. Qantas Airways Ltd., 525 F.2d 281 (9th Cir. 1975)
  • Husserl v. Swiss Air Transp. Co., 485 F.2d 1240 (2d Cir. 1966)
  • Molitch v. Irish Int’l Airlines, 436 F.2d 42 (2d Cir. 1970)
  • Berner v. British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, Ltd., 362 F.2d 799 (2d Cir. 1966)
  • Berner v. British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, Ltd., 346 F.2d 532 (2d Cir. 1965)
  • Mertens v. Flying Tiger Line, Inc., 341 F.2d 851 (2d Cir. 1965)
  • Nat’l Airlines, Inc. v. Stiles, 268 F.2d 400 (5th Cir. 1959)

State Appellate Courts

  • Brualdi v. IBERIA, Lineas Aereas de Espana, S.A., 2010 NY Slip Op 09464 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 2010)
  • Lynfatt v. Escobar and LAN Airlines, S.A., 71 A.D.3d 743, 896 N.Y.S.2d 450 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 2010)
  • La Donna Corp. v. Qantas Airways Ltd., No. B194743, 2007 WL 2703022 (Cal. Ct. App. 2d Dist. Sept. 18, 2007)
  • Embraer Fin. Ltd. v. Servicios Aereos Profesionales, S.A., 42 A.D.3d 380 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep’t 2007)
  • In re Ayad (Alia-Royal Jordanian Airline Corp.), 41 A.D.3d 1126 (N.Y. App. Div. 3d Dep’t 2007)
  • In re Logghe (BWIA West Indies Airways), 39 A.D.3d 1003 (N.Y. App. Div. 3d Dep’t 2007)
  • Feder v. Tower Air, Inc., 12 A.D.3d 190 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep’t 2004)
  • Muller v. Port Auth. of N.Y. and N.J., 281 A.D.2d 465, 722 N.Y.S.2d 40 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 2001)
  • Perner v. Landolfi, 276 A.D.2d 613, 714 N.Y.S.2d 897 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 2000) (Mem)
  • Cilone v. Dep’t of Transp., 274 A.D.2d 492, 712 N.Y.S.2d 368 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 2000) (Mem)
  • Raffile v. Tower Air, Inc., 264 A.D.2d 721, 695 N.Y.S.2d 116 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 1999)
  • Strategic Risk Mgmt, Inc. v. Fed. Express Corp., 253 A.D.2d 167, 686 N.Y.S.2d 35 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep’t 1999)
  • Leone v. Avemco Ins. Co., 249 A.D.2d 516, 672 N.Y.S.2d 116 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 1998)
  • Koehler v. Scandinavian Airlines Sys., 285 Ill. App. 3d 520, 674 N.E.2d 112 (Ill. App. Ct. 1996)
  • Aviateca, S.A. v. Friedman, 678 So. 2d 387 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996)
  • Aviateca, S.A. v. Mucciolo, 675 So. 2d 1044 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996)
  • Kato v. Avensa Airlines, Inc., 660 So. 2d 1185 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1995)
  • Compania Panamena De Aviacion, S.A. v. Gerstein, 645 So. 2d 55 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1994)
  • Cortes v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 638 So. 2d 108 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1994)
  • Cetta v. Coca-Cola Co., 194 A.D.2d 585, 599 N.Y.S.2d 988 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 1993) (Mem)
  • Transportes Aereos Nacionales S.A. v. De Brenes, 625 So. 2d 4 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1993)
  • Van Steemburg v. Gen. Aviation, Inc., 243 Ill. App. 3d 299, 611 N.E.2d 1144 (Ill. App. Ct. 1993)
  • Indep. Air, Inc. v. Tosini, 600 So. 2d 3 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1992)
  • Aerovias Nacionales De Columbia, S.A. v. Tellez, 596 So. 2d 1193 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1992)
  • Moliver for Use and Benefit of Fuentes v. Avianca, Inc., 580 So. 2d 787 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1991)
  • Abou-Jaoude v. British Airways, 228 Cal. App. 3d 1137, 281 Cal. Rptr. 150 (Cal. Ct. App. 1991)
  • Griffith v. Mitsubishi Aircraft Int’l, Inc., 136 Ill. 2d 101, 554 N.E.2d 209 (Ill. 1990)
  • Arkin v. N.Y. Helicopter Corp., 149 A.D.2d 5, 544 N.Y.S.2d 343 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep’t 1989)
  • Duff v. Varig Airlines, Inc., S.A., 185 Ill. App. 3d 992, 542 N.E.2d 69, 134 Ill. Dec. 69 (Ill. App. Ct. 1989)
  • State v. Underwriters at Lloyds of London, 755 P.2d 396 (Alaska 1988)
  • Erickson Air-Crane Co. v. United Technologies Corp., 303 Or. 281, 735 P.2d 614 (1987)
  • Imtiaz v. Emery Airfreight, Inc., 728 S.W.2d 897 (Tex. App. 1st Dist. 1987)
  • Sage v. Fairchild-Swearingen Corp., 126 A.D.2d 330, 489 N.Y.S.2d 171 (N.Y. App. Div. 3d Dep’t 1985)
  • Air Florida, Inc. v. Zondler, 683 S.W.2d 769 (Tex. App. 5th Dist. 1984)
  • Loftleidir Icelandic Airlines, Inc. v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 158 Cal. App. 3d 83, 204 Cal. Rptr. 358 (Cal. Ct. App. 1984)
  • Prince v. Parachutes, Inc., 685 P.2d 83 (Alaska 1984)
  • Weiner v. British Overseas Airways Corp., 60 A.D.2d 426, 401 N.Y.S.2d 91 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep’t 1978)
  • Helicopter Assocs. Ltd. v. Decair Helicopter, Inc., 50 A.D.2d 519, 375 N.Y.S.2d 319 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep’t 1975)
  • Scandinavian Airlines System, Inc. v. Los Angeles County, 56 Cal. 2d 11, 363 P.2d 25, 14 Cal. Rptr. 25 (Cal. 1961)
  • Berner v. United Airlines, Inc., 3 A.D.2d 9, 157 N.Y.S.2d 884 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep’t 1956)