MoloLamken LLP > Washington D.C., United States > Firm Profile
MoloLamken LLP Offices
600 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, N.W
WASHINGTON D.C. 20037
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
United States
MoloLamken LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)
National dispute resolution boutique MoloLamken LLP continues to strengthen its formidable record before the US Supreme Court; it argued three SCOTUS cases during the 2022/23 term, despite the Court’s shrinking docket overall. The firm’s emphasis on high-profile appeals involving IP, energy, telecoms and sovereign immunity also ensures that it is frequently engaged to represent clients before various courts of appeals. Highlighted by sources as a ‘great senior partner’, appellate chair Jeffrey Lamken has argued twenty-seven cases before SCOTUS. Among Lamken’s recent cases, he represented The Humane Society of the United States before the US Supreme Court in a successful defense of California’s Proposition 12 against a constitutional challenge. Next-generation partner Lucas Walker recently argued—and won—his first case before SCOTUS, when he represented Abitron Austria in a precedent-setting trademark case holding that US trademark law is not extraterritorial and applies only to uses of trademarks within the US. The team also includes experienced appellate litigator Michael Pattillo, who is noted for his record in patent appeals before the Federal Circuit; Robert Kry, whose practice spans trial and appellate litigation; and Rayiner Hashem, who focuses on appellate and patent litigation. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC.Practice head(s):
Jeffrey Lamken
Other key lawyers:
Lucas Walker; Michael Pattillo; Robert Kry; Rayiner Hashem; Sara Margolis
Testimonials
‘The MoloLamken team is composed of people who are “winners”. They stood in for our case and brought it to success.’
‘I have been working with Lucas Walker and Jeffrey Lamken. Lucas has both very strong writing and oral argument skills. Jeffrey is a great senior partner.’
Key clients
AbbVie
Duke University
Allergan Sales
VLSI Technology
DivX
Baxter International
The Humane Society of the United States
Abitron Austria GmbH, Abitron Germany GmbH, Hetronic Germany GmbH, Hydronic-Steuersysteme GmbH, ABI Holding GmbH, Albert Fuchs
Official Committee of Talc Creditors (TCC)
World Programming
Merck & Co.
The Regents of the University of California and the University of Vienna
Uniloc 2017, Uniloc USA, and Uniloc Luxembourg
Stingray IP Solutions
Vermont National Telephone Company
Amgen
PJM Interconnection
Hub International
Marc S. Kirschner, as Trustee
Work highlights
- Represented the Humane Society of the United States in the US Supreme Court in defending California’s Proposition 12 against a dormant Commerce Clause challenge.
- Represented Abitron Austria in the US Supreme Court in a case concerning whether the Lanham Act applies to foreign sales.
- Represented the Official Committee of Talc Creditors in the Third Circuit in a challenge to the bankruptcy petition filed by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, LTL Management LLC.
Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: plaintiff Tier 2
MoloLamken LLP is a national litigation boutique that handles a broad range of complex litigation, ranging from securities fraud cases to white-collar defense matters. Steven Molo in New York leads the practice and is known as a compelling courtroom advocate, which helps him to reach significant settlements, often on the eve of trial. He recently achieved a $14m settlement in a long-running 10b-5 securities fraud stockholder class action against Dakota Plains, which transported oil developed from fracking in North Dakota to the coasts. Molo and Washington DC-based partners Robert Kry and Lauren Weinstein are currently representing Deutsche Bank National Trust Company in one of more than a dozen suits that the firm is handling for securitization trustees against sponsors and originators of defective subprime mortgage loan securitizations in federal and state courts. In this case, investors lost more than $495m. New York-based Justin Ellis worked with Molo to assist Contrarian Capital Management LLC with its breach of contract actions arising out of the failure by Venezuela and its state-owned oil company, PDVSA, to pay principal and interest on debt in excess of $1bn.Practice head(s):
Steven Molo
Other key lawyers:
Justin Ellis; Robert Kry; Lauren Weinstein
Testimonials
‘Had a great experience on a tough litigation, where effective conflicts counsel was needed.’
Key clients
Jon Gruber as class representative
Contrarian Capital Management LLC
Special Litigation Committee for Twitter’s Board of Directors
Ad Hoc Group of Convertible Avaya Noteholders (Angelo Gordon, Canyon Capital Advisors, Mariner Investment Group, Silverback Asset Management, Owl Creek Asset Management, A6 Capital Management, Aviva Investors, and Capital Four)
Ad Hoc Group of Convertible Amyris, Inc. Noteholders
Co-founder of a successful biotechnology startup
Axonic Capital LLC
Nadia Shash and Amjad Khan as class representatives
Marc S. Kirschner, as Trustee
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, James McRitchie, and As You Sow
Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for the MSAC 2007-NC4 Trust
Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for the MSAC 2007-NC1 and -NC3 Trusts
Work highlights
- Represented the plaintiff class of investors in Dakota Plains Holdings Inc. in a rare securities class action trial in the Southern District of New York, winning a jury verdict worth over $28 million before settlement offsets.
- Represented Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. and U.S. Bank as trustees of a series of residential mortgage-backed securitization (RMBS) trusts in New York Supreme Court against various sponsors and responsible parties of mortgage-backed securitizations.
- Represent Contrarian Capital Management in its high-stakes suit against Venezuela over defaulted sovereign debt.
Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense Tier 3
MoloLamken LLP houses a strong team of litigators that caters to a wide client base, which includes investors, boards, senior executives, and companies. Leading the team in New York, Steven Molo has a wealth of experience defending individuals who are facing allegations of corruption, health care fraud, insider trading, and financial misconduct. Justin Shur is ‘an excellent white-collar practitioner’ based in Washington DC. Shur routinely represents clients before the SEC and DOJ who are being investigated for FCPA violations, tax offences, money laundering, and national security concerns. Also located in Washington DC, Caleb Hayes-Deats handles government and congressional investigations. Considered a ‘a go-to white collar practitioner in Chicago’, Megan Cunniff Church is recommended for sensitive internal investigations.Practice head(s):
Steven Molo
Other key lawyers:
Caleb Hayes-Deats; Megan Church; Justin Shur; Eric Nitz
Testimonials
‘They are very intelligent and well-respected attorneys in the criminal defense and appellate spaces.’
‘Justin Shur is an excellent white-collar practitioner.’
‘The lawyers are smart and have good judgment.’
‘Megan is a top-notch white-collar attorney and litigator. She has excellent judgment and fine instincts.’
‘Megan Church is a go-to white collar practitioner in Chicago. She vigorously defends individuals.’
‘Justin Shur is collegial and professional.’
Key clients
Special Litigation Committee for Twitter’s Board of Directors
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Work highlights
- Advised president of luxury travel company at trial involving allegations of campaign finance violations
- Advised a J.P. Morgan trader at a trial involving allegations of market manipulation.
- Advised the Special Litigation Committee for Twitter’s Board of Directors in conducting an investigation into allegations the Board breached fiduciary duties.
Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 3
Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4
The ‘incredibly efficient’ team of litigators at MoloLamken LLP is adept at handling complex business disputes and IP disputes as well as white-collar defense and investigations. Practice leader and former prosecutor Steven Molo is based in New York and serves as a reputed contact for representing senior executives and government officials in white-collar matters. ‘Renowned professional’ Robert Kry practices from Washington DC and primarily focuses on trial and appellate matters, including in relation to corporate and securities litigation.Practice head(s):
Steven Molo
Other key lawyers:
Robert Kry; Justin Ellis; Megan Cunniff Church
Testimonials
‘The team is incredibly efficient and always meet tight deadlines. We work on complex cross border issues which requires to take into consideration what happens in each jurisdiction – we are always able to find a compromise which suits the firms working on the matter.’
‘I work particularly with Robert Kry. Robert is extremely responsive and always available. Robert is a renowned professional in his field. Exchanging on complex matters is easy with him. I know that when I send a request to Robert, it will be thoroughly reviewed and dealt with in a short time period. ’
‘Excellent professional capabilities, always available and extremely responsive including regular and update. ’
‘Highly capable and knowledgeable with full dedication and reliability.’
Key clients
Anywhere Real Estate
Revlon
Ad Hoc Group of Convertible Avaya Noteholders (Angelo Gordon, Canyon Capital Advisors, Mariner Investment Group, Silverback Asset Management, Owl Creek Asset Management, A6 Capital Management, Aviva Investors, and Capital Four)
Beam Suntory Inc.; Jim Beam Brands Co.
The Gap Inc.
First Choice Federal Credit Union
Wagner Aeronautical, Inc.; Mammoth Freighters LLC
William Wagner; William Tarpley
Purolite Corporation
EEA Life Settlements, Inc
O.K. Foods, Inc
Work highlights
- Representing Anywhere Real Estate in an antitrust class action brought against the National Association of Realtors and the country’s largest real-estate brokerage firms.
- Represented Revlon in a case relating to mistaken payments to creditors by Citibank, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
- Representing an ad hoc group of noteholders of convertible and term loans issued by Avaya, Inc in litigation against the company, its officers, and its directors to redress a massive fraud connected to Avaya’s 2022 marketing of its B3 term loan debt.
Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 4
National litigation boutique MoloLamken LLP is ‘incredibly effective‘ and has extensive experience in patent disputes, standing out in particular for its ability to handle appellate IP matters before the Supreme Court and Federal Courts of Appeals. Seasoned appellate practitioner Jeffrey A. Lamken is based in Washington DC and has comprehensive experience representing clients in the pharma, telecoms and tech industries in patent appeals at the Federal Circuit. The group also includes the ‘energetic and experienced attorney‘ Ben Quarmby in New York, who specializes in trial and appellate litigation related to patent, trademark, trade secret, and tech licensing disputes, and Washington DC-based patent litigator Michael Pattillo.Practice head(s):
Jeffrey Lamken; Ben Quarmby; Michael Pattillo
Other key lawyers:
Rayiner Hashem; Jonathan Barbee
Testimonials
‘The MoloLamken team is incredibly effective and responsive in the quickest possible manner.’
‘They are a small but experienced team of lawyers who handle the patent litigation and always ready to go to trial if necessary.’
‘Ben Quarmby is very available and leads his team very efficiently to achieve results in a streamlined process.’
‘Jonathan Barbee is dedicated to his tasks and responsive. Rayiner Hashem is customer centric, very enjoyable to work with him as he perfectly understand the aim of his tasks.’
‘Mr. Ben Quarmby is an energetic and experienced attorney in this area. He is always responsive and tries to give us practical advice based on his through knoweledge of the patent law and coourt proceedings.’
Key clients
Duke University
AbbVie Inc.
Allergan Sales, LLC
VLSI Technology LLC
DivX, LLC
Baxter International Inc.
World Programming Limited
Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC
The Regents of the University of California, the University of Vienna, and Emmanuelle Charpentier
Nokia
Ericsson
Uniloc 2017, Uniloc USA, and Uniloc Luxembourg
Stingray IP Solutions, LLC
Amgen Inc.
Express Mobile, Inc.
Protective Industrial Products (PIP), Inc.
Broadband iTV Inc.
BBSR
Richel Group
Work highlights
- Represented Amgen Inc. in the U.S. Supreme Court in a case addressing the Patent Act’s “enablement” requirement.
- Represented Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC in a case defending a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board rejecting a challenge to the validity of Merck patents.
- Represented the inventors of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for editing genes in appealing a decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board that declined to award that invention to them.
MoloLamken LLP > Firm Profile
MoloLamken is a law firm focused exclusively on representing clients in complex disputes. It handles civil, criminal, and regulatory matters, as well as appeals, across the United States. The firm’s clients span the globe. MoloLamken is involved in some of the most significant disputes of the day.
The firm’s founding partners, Steven Molo and Jeffrey Lamken, developed national reputations based on their courtroom successes while partners at large full-service firms where they held leadership positions. With an abiding belief that complex disputes are most effectively handled by smaller teams comprised of smart, highly experienced lawyers focused on results rather than process, they formed the firm.
MoloLamken provides experienced advocacy – for claimants as well as defendants – before judges, juries, arbitral forums, and courts of appeals, including the Supreme Court of the United States. The firm also represents clients in regulatory and criminal investigations and conducts internal investigations.
Main areas of practice
- Appeals
- Arbitration
- Bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring litigation
- Complex business litigation
- Intellectual property and technology
- Internal investigations
- Regulatory
- Securities litigation
- Supreme Court
- White-collar defense and investigations
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Steven F Molo | smolo@mololamken.com | (212) 607-8170 | |
Jeffrey A Lamken | jlamken@mololamken.com | (202) 556-2010 | |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Robert Kry | Robert Kry’s practice focuses on trial and appellate litigation. He represents clients… | View Profile | |
Jeffrey A. Lamken | Jeffrey Lamken, a nationally recognized appellate practitioner, has argued 27 cases before… | View Profile | |
Michael Pattillo | Michael Pattillo is an experienced appellate litigator. He has argued before the… | View Profile | |
Justin Shur | Justin Shur, a former senior Justice Department prosecutor, is a partner in… | View Profile | |
Mr Lucas Walker | Lucas Walker’s practice focuses on appellate litigation in federal and state court.… | View Profile | |
Lauren Weinstein | Lauren Weinstein’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. She has particular expertise… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of Partners : 21 Number of Other Lawyers : 21Languages
English Arabic French Korean Mandarin Chinese Russian SpanishOther
: :Legal Briefings
-
28 USC §1782: a powerful tool for obtaining US discovery in aid of foreign proceedings
A key distinction between US and non-US litigation is the liberal discovery available to parties in the United States. However, non-US litigants have a powerful tool that can provide the benefit of US discovery rules to obtain broad discovery for use in proceedings abroad. United States Statute 28 USC §1782 empowers a district court to … -
I want to break free: opting out of class litigation
Conventional wisdom tells us there is ‘power in numbers’, but that is not always true in litigation. While class actions are a powerful tool – particularly where damages to each injured party are relatively small – they can also be cumbersome. Class-action proceedings can take years to wind themselves through United States courts. The … -
Taking an important case to trial
It’s the rare businessperson who wants to have an important issue or, worse, a company’s fate decided by a judge or jury. The vast majority of lawsuits are settled before it comes to that. But trial happens, sometimes with billions or hundreds of millions of dollars at stake. -
Taking an important case to trial: jury research
Earlier this year, we spoke with MoloLamken LLP partners Steven Molo, one of America’s leading trial lawyers, and Sara Margolis, a rising courtroom star, to learn how a party in a high-stakes trial might improve its chances of success. Here is a link to that interview.