Litigation

The moment a client calls us for help with a business dispute or litigation, we focus on our client’s ultimate goal. At Sullivan, we shape our advice and strategies to our client's business realities, careful not to lose the business war while winning the litigation battle. We recognize that litigation is more than a legal issue for our clients — there are often major, complex business concerns as well.

Exploring creative legal options from the point of view of practical, commercial realities sets us apart. This strategic, holistic approach leverages our capabilities to help prevent budding disputes from turning into major crises.

When a negotiated resolution cannot be achieved, our early intervention and inventiveness strengthens our ability to vigorously litigate the dispute to a successful conclusion.

Regardless of the client or claim, we litigate each case aggressively yet efficiently and credibly, with lean staffing and hands-on partner focus and involvement.

Clients and Industries

Many of our litigations come from long-term clients, often in financial services and tech. Our firm structure enables and empowers us to represent companies of all sizes, headquartered within the U.S. and abroad, as well as individuals facing difficult claims and disputes.

We regularly litigate across a variety of other industries, including art and museum, consumer goods, insurance, life sciences, media and entertainment, real estate, securities and tech.

We regularly represent clients involved in diverse subject matters, including:

• Blockchain and crypto-currency litigation
• Complex breach of fiduciary duty matters
• Copyright/trademark/patent infringement
• Employment disputes, including alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation and compensation
• Insurance/reinsurance
• Securities fraud
• Software implementation/licensing disputes
• White collar defense and investigations

Accolades

• Ranked in the U.S. News Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" 
• According to the 2022 edition of The Legal 500 United States, Sullivan & Worcester "is an amazing law firm which provides a prompt, practical and personal service." The team is regularly defending clients in commercial claims before federal and state courts and arbitration proceedings. Its scope covers class actions, securities, contract disputes, insurance coverage controversies, environmental issues, fraud claims, and bankruptcy and collections actions. The "dedicated, thorough attorney" Gerry Silver in New York and insolvency disputes-specialist Patrick Dinardo in Boston jointly lead the practice. Laura Steinberg, also in Boston, is well versed in regulatory and fiduciary issues. Other key lawyers include Nicholas O'Donnell.

Clients say:

• "Sullivan offers pragmatic, concise legal recommendations. They 'cut to the chase' and provide clear analysis of the benefits and risks of options available. Unlike many law firms, they are willing to share their own opinion of which option they recommend."
• "Gerry Silver is a dedicated, thorough attorney. Not only does he provide excellent legal advice, he has shown over the years that he is committed to acting as a true partner. He knows our business and he is willing to stand strong in providing the legal advice that he believes is in the best interests of our company, even when he knows that this advice might be unpopular. With Gerry, we know we are getting legal support we can trust."
• "Sullivan’s lawyers are extraordinary. When dealing with the firm, I never have the impression that my matter is unimportant, whatever the dollar amount in issue."

Representative Client Work

A more comprehensive list is found in each of our litigation attorneys’ bios. Below are just a few examples:

• Successfully obtained a unanimous defense jury verdict for Sogeti (a Capgemini subsidiary) in a jury trial in Tampa, Florida, where plaintiff, a former employee, asserted race discrimination and retaliation claims seeking seven figures in damages
• Successfully representing independent trustees and mutual funds in various disputes with their advisors and/or third-party service providers. These matters are generally highly confidential, complex disputes requiring detailed factual analyses and involving arcane issues arising under both the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as well as common law duties
• Successfully represented banks and financial institutions in domestic and international litigation and arbitration involving trade credit disputes
• Successfully represented both purchasers and sellers of companies and assets in post-closing disputes including alleged breach of representations and warranties, balance sheet adjustments, valuation controversies and indemnification rights
• Representing public company in a breach of contract and fraudulent transfer action in federal court over the funding and procurement of nitrile gloves for sale to the federal government and other end users
• Representing a post-confirmation creditor in a bankruptcy proceeding over the fraudulent transfer of funds