William Gussman

Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Litigation, Complex Commercial Litigation, Insurance, Real Estate Litigation, Securities Litigation, Litigation Finance

William H. Gussman, Jr. focuses on complex commercial litigation, including securities fraud actions, fraudulent transfer actions, M&A litigation and partnership disputes. Bill’s clients have included domestic and foreign hedge funds, private equity firms, major corporations, investment banks, prime brokers, lenders and individuals. Bill has substantial trial experience, having tried cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States and in a variety of alternative dispute resolution venues, including AAA, FINRA and JAMS arbitrations. Bill frequently litigates in bankruptcy court, often representing creditors in disputed matters in the plan confirmation process. He also has particular expertise in litigating issues concerning the Section 546(e) safe harbor in fraudulent transfer actions. He has extensive experience representing both buyers and sellers in deal-related disputes concerning a broad range of industries, including the telecommunications, energy, retail and automotive industries. Bill also has expertise in matters relating to litigation finance and regularly advises clients with respect to champerty risk and the risk/reward profile of litigation-related assets.

Bill’s jury trial experience includes the successful defense of a leading prime broker in a $141.4-million fraudulent transfer action brought by the trustee of a defunct hedge fund. In that two-week federal trial, he helped to secure a unanimous verdict in favor of the prime broker. Bill successfully defended a former officer and director of Merck & Co. in a high-profile securities class action and related cases concerning the painkiller Vioxx. That high-profile matter included the defense of federal and state securities law claims, breach of duty claims, product liability claims and other matters.

Harvard Law School, JD; Dartmouth College, BA, summa cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa).