King & Spalding LLP has a broad securities and shareholder litigation practice, with experienced practitioners across the US, though it is particularly dominant in the Southeast and Southwest. Atlanta-based Jessica Corley leads the firm’s trial and global disputes practice. Int the same office, Warren Pope and Michael Smith are the key securities litigators. Mark Kirsch, who is highly regarded for his successes in SEC-related matters and cases involving mortgage-backed securities, is a key name in New York, as are skilled trial lawyers Randy Mastro and Richard Marooney. Kirsch recently affirmed the dismissal of a class action against Rio Tinto, which was accused of defrauding investors following the $4bn impairment of a coal mining project in Mozambique. Paul Bessette in Austin is notable, while the firm also has a strong team in Miami, where Brian Miller is the main contact. New York-based Christopher Duffy joined the firm from Vinson & Elkins LLP in June 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- ACC Holdings, Inc.
- Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.
- ADTRAN, Inc.
- Capital One
- CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
- Conduent Incorporated
- Digital Turbine, Inc.
- Evolent Health, Inc.
- Exterran Corporation
- FleetCor Technologies, Inc
- Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.
- Global Brokerage, Inc. (formerly FXCM, Inc.)
- Hanger, Inc.
- HSBC
- Medallion Financial Corp.
- Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
- Neovasc, Inc.
- Newell Brands, Inc.
- Phunware, Inc.
- PolarityTE
- Rio Tinto Group
- Ripple Labs
- Shattuck Labs, Inc.
- Shaun Thaxter
- The GEO Group, Inc.
- The RealReal, Inc.
- Tivity Health, Inc.
- Tractor Supply Company
- U.S. Xpress, Inc.
Work highlights
- Obtained a spectacular summary judgement ruling imposing breach of contract liability on the Republic of Argentina and won $16 billion damages ruling on behalf ofplaintiffs Petersen Energía, S.A.U., Petersen Energía Inversora, S.A.U., et al. lawsuits against the Argentine Republic and YPF, S.A. stemming fromArgentina's expropriation of YPF, which destroyed tens of billions of dollars of shareholder value and displaced the Petersen plaintiffs as YPF’s controlling shareholders.
- Secured victory for Rio Tinto by obtaining an affirmance in the Second Circuit of a district court decision that declined to reopen a class action seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The claims arise in connection with a $4 billion write-down Rio Tinto took relating to a massive mining project in Mozambique.
- Secured a long-awaited victory for HSBC in a lawsuit, originally filed in 2014, accusing HSBC of conspiring to manipulate the price of silver. The case was dismissedwith prejudice, noting that the plaintiffs did not present sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the alleged price manipulations harmed or affected plaintiffs’ trades.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jessica Corley