Fraud and Financial Disputes
Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition
Commercial and Supply Chain Disputes
Policyholder Advocacy
Disaster Recovery
Whistleblower Representations
Public Sector Representations
Complex Judgement Enforcement
International Litigation
Fraud and Financial Disputes
Fraud and Financial Disputes
Fraud and financial misconduct cases need sophisticated counsel to investigate facts, devise appropriate legal theories, work with experts, and obtain an appropriate judgment or settlement.
Our lawyers have decades of experience litigating fraud and financial disputes on behalf of businesses, investors, whistleblowers, trustees, government agencies, individuals, and many other clients.
Our lawyers have decades of experience litigating fraud and financial disputes on behalf of businesses, investors, whistleblowers, trustees, government agencies, individuals, and many other clients.
- We are the only firm in the country to prevail at trial against a flood insurer on a fraud claim in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The jury’s fraud verdict was affirmed by a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court.
- We won a rare class action trial and obtained a settlement for $27 million after a life insurer improperly imposed new premiums and charges to shock elderly policyholders into giving up their policies.
- We obtained an arbitration award rescinding a multimillion-dollar asset sale.
- We handle RICO cases around the country arising out of a judgment evasion scheme perpetrated by a conglomerate of Chinese companies and their American affiliates.
- We successfully resolved securities claims against a major cryptocurrency exchange.
- We represent a consumer products company in fraud and RICO claims against foreign suppliers of contaminated products.
- We are defending an artificial intelligence infrastructure and services company against claims relating to alleged violations of export laws in connection with cutting edge GPU servers.
Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition
Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition
We have decades of experience representing companies in cases involving stolen trade secrets, employee breaches of non-compete agreements, and business partners breaching exclusivity agreements.
While these kinds of disputes often can be resolved through negotiation, we are more than ready to fight in court and take the case to verdict when necessary to achieve our clients’ goals.
- Our lawyers won a $26 million verdict on behalf of a tire company that was the victim of a theft of its intellectual property by companies from Dubai and China. Then we enforced the judgment.
- We represent a consumer products company in multiple lawsuits arising out of alleged violations of non-compete and confidentiality agreements.
- After years of litigation, we negotiated a favorable settlement on behalf of a U.S. tire company against a Chinese supplier that breached an exclusive distribution agreement. We also fended off the supplier’s counterclaims and successfully arbitrated against our client’s insurer to make it pay for the legal fees.
While these kinds of disputes often can be resolved through negotiation, we are more than ready to fight in court and take the case to verdict when necessary to achieve our clients’ goals.
Commercial and Supply Chain Disputes
Commercial and Supply Chain Disputes
We have extensive experience representing companies in delicate and complex supply chain disputes involving companies around the world.
Handling supply chain disputes often requires a special touch because critical commercial relationships can be affected and the law governing supply chains is complex. We know how to advocate for clients strategically, without destroying their ability to do business with key suppliers and vendors.
Many commercial and supply chain disputes can be resolved through informal negotiation or early mediation. At the same time, when courtroom litigation or arbitration proceedings are unavoidable, we know how to fight and win.
Handling supply chain disputes often requires a special touch because critical commercial relationships can be affected and the law governing supply chains is complex. We know how to advocate for clients strategically, without destroying their ability to do business with key suppliers and vendors.
- We have defended and brought suit on behalf of multiple food and consumer products companies in cases arising from recalled products.
- After a supplier recalled a salmonella-contaminated ingredient used by over a hundred food producers and restaurant chains, WMC represented one of the world’s largest food companies and negotiated a global settlement. We never had to file a lawsuit to achieve this result.
- We have represented numerous clients in negotiations and lawsuits against manufacturers based in Asia and Latin America concerning defective and contaminated products.
- We represent a consumer products company in fraud and RCO claims against foreign suppliers of contaminated products.
- After years of litigation, we negotiated a favorable settlement on behalf of a U.S. tire company against a Chinese supplier that breached an exclusive distribution agreement. We also fended off the supplier’s counterclaims.
Many commercial and supply chain disputes can be resolved through informal negotiation or early mediation. At the same time, when courtroom litigation or arbitration proceedings are unavoidable, we know how to fight and win.
Policyholder Advocacy
Insurance Policyholder Advocacy
Our lawyers have represented policyholders in some of the biggest insurance coverage disputes in the United States, helping clients obtain over a billion dollars in insurance proceeds. We handle disputes involving all types of insurance, including general liability, directors and officers, errors and omissions, product recall, property damage, business interruption, and other specialized types of insurance. We also have substantial experience litigating disputes involving life insurance, including disputes over coverage, premiums and expense charges, and sales of policies in the secondary life settlement market.
We have represented clients in many industries, including private equity firms, banks, real estate companies, food companies, software companies, investment managers, hedge funds, professional service firms, construction companies, not-for-profit organizations, and others. We also represent many government agencies.
We do not represent insurance companies.
We help clients determine which of their losses are potentially covered under various policies. We then help them recover the amounts they are owed—through negotiation, mediation, litigation and trial, as appropriate.
For clients combating class actions, tort suits, government investigations, and other third-party claims, we coordinate our efforts closely with our clients’ defense counsel. In fact, many of our policyholder clients are referred to us by major defense firms, which appreciate our ability to pursue insurance recoveries in a way that complements the defense.
Our lawyers’ insurance work has included:
We usually succeed in obtaining insurance proceeds for our clients without litigation. But when insurers prove stubborn, as they often do, we are more than ready.
We have represented clients in many industries, including private equity firms, banks, real estate companies, food companies, software companies, investment managers, hedge funds, professional service firms, construction companies, not-for-profit organizations, and others. We also represent many government agencies.
We do not represent insurance companies.
We help clients determine which of their losses are potentially covered under various policies. We then help them recover the amounts they are owed—through negotiation, mediation, litigation and trial, as appropriate.
For clients combating class actions, tort suits, government investigations, and other third-party claims, we coordinate our efforts closely with our clients’ defense counsel. In fact, many of our policyholder clients are referred to us by major defense firms, which appreciate our ability to pursue insurance recoveries in a way that complements the defense.
Our lawyers’ insurance work has included:
- Recovering hundreds of millions of dollars representing major private equity firms, portfolio companies, and affiliated individuals seeking coverage for claims alleging fraud, breaches of duty, negligence, and antitrust violations.
- Representing bankruptcy trusts in coverage disputes and the negotiation of claim resolution protocols.
- Representing construction industry, manufacturing, and institutional clients concerning insurance and indemnification issues arising out of building collapses and other disasters.
- Representing defendants in securities class actions in obtaining defense cost payments and insurer funding of settlements.
- Representing food and consumer products companies in insurance recovery efforts relating to claims and losses arising out of property damage, bodily injury claims, and food contamination.
- Winning a jury verdict establishing fraud by a flood insurer in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court).
- Winning a trial against the liability insurer of a defunct insulation installer with millions of dollars in asbestos liabilities.
- Winning a rare class action jury trial against a major life insurer.
- Representing hedge funds that invested in life insurance policies sold in the secondary market on claims against insurers, other funds, other investors, and various professionals.
- Winning an arbitration against one of the world’s largest life settlement companies concerning secondary market transactions.
- Successfully negotiating resolution of claims under a builder’s risk insurance policy following a building collapse.
We usually succeed in obtaining insurance proceeds for our clients without litigation. But when insurers prove stubborn, as they often do, we are more than ready.
Disaster Recovery
Disaster Recovery
We are one of the nation’s premier law firms for suing insurance companies that engage in bad faith practices and underpay insurance claims after major weather events and disasters.
When businesses, commercial properties, and homes are hit by hurricanes, fires, floods, tornados, hailstorms, earthquakes and other disasters, insurers often delay and deny claims rather than pay what is rightfully owed. We know how to make them pay.
Our goal in every case is to get our clients what they are owed as quickly as possible so they can begin to rebuild their businesses, homes, and lives. We work with the country’s top experts in the fields of structural engineering, construction, meteorology, and damage estimation to accurately recreate the destructive event and make a proper demand to ensure that our clients recover all of the proceeds due under their policies. In business interruption cases, we work with capable forensic accountants to ensure that all covered damages are accounted for and submitted.
Regardless of whether it’s a large business interruption claim for a Fortune 500 company or 1,000 individual homeowner claims after a hurricane, we find fee arrangements that work and use the same dogged and persistent approach to ensure that all of our clients maximize their insurance recoveries.
When businesses, commercial properties, and homes are hit by hurricanes, fires, floods, tornados, hailstorms, earthquakes and other disasters, insurers often delay and deny claims rather than pay what is rightfully owed. We know how to make them pay.
Our goal in every case is to get our clients what they are owed as quickly as possible so they can begin to rebuild their businesses, homes, and lives. We work with the country’s top experts in the fields of structural engineering, construction, meteorology, and damage estimation to accurately recreate the destructive event and make a proper demand to ensure that our clients recover all of the proceeds due under their policies. In business interruption cases, we work with capable forensic accountants to ensure that all covered damages are accounted for and submitted.
- We were the first firm in history to prove to a jury that a flood insurance company committed intentional fraud against the federal government in handling flood claims after Hurricane Katrina.
- We have been hired by the Mississippi Attorney General and other state and local agencies to seek recoveries following hurricanes and other disasters.
- We successfully represented over 1,000 homeowners and business owners whose property was damaged by Hurricane Sandy and who were underpaid on their flood insurance claims.
- We represent businesses, government agencies and individuals throughout the Gulf coast on claims arising from Hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey.
Regardless of whether it’s a large business interruption claim for a Fortune 500 company or 1,000 individual homeowner claims after a hurricane, we find fee arrangements that work and use the same dogged and persistent approach to ensure that all of our clients maximize their insurance recoveries.
Whistleblower Representations
Whistleblower Representations
We represent whistleblowers against companies that commit fraud against the United States government. We are one of very few firms in the country that has successfully tried a False Claims Act case to verdict. We also obtained one of the largest False Claims Act settlements in history ($100,000,000) in a non-intervened case unrelated to the healthcare industry.
We understand that deciding whether to become a whistleblower can be one of the most difficult decisions an individual has to make. Most defendants that commit fraud against the government are large corporations with considerable resources. When accused of defrauding the government, they often attempt to overwhelm the whistleblower and whistleblower’s lawyers with “scorched earth” litigation. Whistleblowers cannot fight this battle or navigate this difficult journey alone. We understand not only the process but also the psychology of all the players involved, and we can defeat the large defense firms in complex litigation and at trial.
When we agree to represent a whistleblower, we evaluate the case independently. That means that, unlike many other law firms that represent whistleblowers, we will not be deterred from prosecuting a meritorious case if, as often happens, the government decides not to pursue the case.
If a whistleblower has a strong case, then we will fight to the end, even if the government sits on the sidelines. Our clients’ fights are our fights, and we are with them from preparing the filing of the complaint to the day the money is recovered.
We understand that deciding whether to become a whistleblower can be one of the most difficult decisions an individual has to make. Most defendants that commit fraud against the government are large corporations with considerable resources. When accused of defrauding the government, they often attempt to overwhelm the whistleblower and whistleblower’s lawyers with “scorched earth” litigation. Whistleblowers cannot fight this battle or navigate this difficult journey alone. We understand not only the process but also the psychology of all the players involved, and we can defeat the large defense firms in complex litigation and at trial.
When we agree to represent a whistleblower, we evaluate the case independently. That means that, unlike many other law firms that represent whistleblowers, we will not be deterred from prosecuting a meritorious case if, as often happens, the government decides not to pursue the case.
If a whistleblower has a strong case, then we will fight to the end, even if the government sits on the sidelines. Our clients’ fights are our fights, and we are with them from preparing the filing of the complaint to the day the money is recovered.
Public Sector Representations
Public Sector Representations
We represent state and local governments on a variety of cutting-edge matters. We help government officials take on fraud, wrongful denials of insurance coverage, public nuisances, and other problems.
- We currently represent local governments and water systems in their investigations of, and lawsuits against, companies responsible for PFAS contamination.
- We currently represent county governments in their investigations of, and lawsuits against, opioid manufacturers and distributors for their roles in creating a nationwide opioid epidemic.
- We have represented the state of Mississippi in a series of fraud lawsuits charging insurance companies with systematic fraud in the handling of Hurricane Katrina claims.
- We represent numerous state and local government entities in a variety of insurance coverage matters.
- We represented the Puerto Rico Department of Correction and Rehabilitation and numerous municipalities in successfully obtaining recoveries from their insurers for damages caused by Hurricane Maria.
Complex Judgement Enforcement
Complex Judgement Enforcement
We aggressively litigate to recover money for clients who have judgments against companies from China and other foreign jurisdictions that refuse to pay. We have received national attention for our judgment enforcement successes.
Some of our successes include:
Our creative approach to difficult collection matters and our unwavering resolve to litigate until we prevail has proven to be a winning combination. Regardless of whether your company’s judgment is against a large foreign corporation or a domestic entity that simply refuses to pay, we can help with the most difficult collection cases. In such cases, we frequently work on a full or partial contingent fee basis.
Some of our successes include:
- recovering nearly all of a $26 million judgment against tire companies from China and Dubai that stole intellectual property from a Florida-based U.S. inventor.
- helping a U.S. aerospace company recover tens of millions of dollars following a judgment in California against a Russian defendant.
- recovering most of what was owed by a Hong Kong toy manufacturer that failed to pay commercial judgments in Minnesota.
- currently representing civil rights claimants in Iowa against foreign and domestic companies that refused to pay millions of dollars in civil rights judgments.
Our creative approach to difficult collection matters and our unwavering resolve to litigate until we prevail has proven to be a winning combination. Regardless of whether your company’s judgment is against a large foreign corporation or a domestic entity that simply refuses to pay, we can help with the most difficult collection cases. In such cases, we frequently work on a full or partial contingent fee basis.
International Litigation
International Litigation
We conduct U.S.-related discovery and provide strategic litigation advice for complex matters litigated in foreign jurisdictions. Collaborating with foreign counsel, we create strategic discovery plans and utilize 28 U.S.C. Section 1782 to obtain discovery in the United States for use in foreign proceedings.
Some of our current matters include:
Some of our current matters include:
- representing hundreds of thousands of individuals, municipalities, businesses, utilities and faith-based institutions against The BHP Group in connection with the collapse of the Fundao Dam in Brazil. After taking the depositions of numerous high-level BHP executives, including BHP’s former Chairman, WMC assisted with the trial effort that led to a landmark liability ruling in the High Court of Justice in England and Wales.
- representing a U.K. law firm in connection with a multi- billion dollar equitable lien claim. WMC is conducting U.S. discovery to use in a proceeding in England.
