Litigation powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is a prominent plaintiff-side firm that increasingly acts for defendants in securities fraud, market manipulation, insider trading and merger-related cases. ‘Its approach to business is refreshingly straightforward’, remarks one client. Harry Olivar in Los Angeles and New York-based partners Jonathan Pickhardt, Andrew Rossman and Jesse Bernstein are the lead partners. Rossman and financial services partner Alex Spiro acted for Tesla and Elon Musk in a securities class action trial arising from Musk’s Elon Musk’s famous tweet where he stated that he was considering taking Tesla private at $420 per share and had “funding secured”. In Los Angeles, Dabney O’Riordan ‘exhibits an impressive depth of knowledge in SEC-related matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Quinn stands out as a proactive, solution-oriented legal partner. Their approach to business is refreshingly straightforward, focusing on practical solutions rather than roadblocks. Their risk management is notably precise, instilling confidence in every decision.

  • 'Comparing to other legal firms I have worked with in the past year, Quinn did the best in providing a business-friendly solution. The diversity within their team sparks innovative ideas, balancing creativity with meticulous risk control. Meetings are consistently efficient, reflecting their professionalism and respect for clients' time.'
  • 'Their compassionate gestures during difficult times have been deeply appreciated. This blend of professional excellence and genuine empathy makes Quinn an exceptional legal partner.’
  • ‘Brian Timmons: Unlike the majority of lawyers who tend to adhere strictly to textbook approaches, Brian identifies and focuses on the risks that truly matter. He is also extremely innovative when it comes to an execution plan. This unique capability to discern and tackle consequential risks rather than getting bogged down by nominal ones is what makes Brian unique.'

  • 'Jim Asperger: Jim possesses a keen eye for detail, particularly in capturing the nuances of events that may initially seem unrelated. His conservative approach provides a solid foundation for the team to brainstorm, grounding their strategies in thorough analysis and foresight. Additionally, Jim's massive experience as a coach for depositions are nothing short of phenomenal. His ability to prepare and guide clients through this crucial process is a testament to his comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape and his commitment to excellence.'
  • 'Julia Choe has already demonstrated an extraordinary ability to master vast volumes of material. She's always available, responding to queries almost instantly, irrespective of the time (I wonder if she ever sleeps...). Moreover, Julia's ability to stay on top of every detail without losing sight of the bigger picture is a rare and valuable trait in the legal profession.'
  • 'Emma Barton has shown exceptional talent in the legal field. Her ability to absorb and recall information is nothing short of a superpower. Like a human Xerox machine, she remembers every detail, which proves invaluable in complex legal cases. She is also superb (a common trait in Quinn's entire team) in maintaining strategic focus ensures that no important aspect of a case is overlooked. Emma's contributions are instrumental in keeping the team on track and maintaining a high standard of legal practice.'
  • 'Dabney O'Riordan: My interaction with Dabney left a lasting impression. She exhibits an impressive depth of knowledge in SEC-related matters. What stands out most is her knowledge about my case's background without needing extensive debriefing. This level of preparedness is a testament to her dedication and thoroughness in legal practice. Additionally, Dabney's responsiveness is exceptional.’

Key clients

  • Tesla, Inc., Elon Musk, Brad W. Buss, Robyn Denholm, Ira Ehrenpreis, Antonio J. Gracias, James Murdoch, Kimbal Musk, and Linda Johnson Rice
  • Altor BioScience, LLC, NantCell, Inc., and Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong
  • Mammoth Energy Services, Inc., Arty Straehla, and Mark Layton
  • Sequoia Capital Operations, LLC; SC US SSF 2013 (TTGP), LLC
  • C3.ai, Inc., Tom Siebel, Edward Abbo, David Barter, and Lorenzo Simonelli
  • SVF Endurance (Cayman) Ltd., SVF Excalibur (Cayman) Ltd., Softbank Vision Fund (AIV M1) LP
  • Softbank Entities: SVF Endurance (Cayman) Ltd., SVF Excalibur (Cayman) Ltd., Softbank Vision Fund (AIV M1) LP
  • Coatue US 19, LLC
  • Xiaodi Hou
  • BlueCity Holdings
  • Dr. Mark H. Rachesky, MHR Fund Management, MHR Holdings LLC, MHR Capital Partners Master Account LP, MHR Holdings, LLC, MHR Institutional Advisors II LLC, MHR Institutional Partners II LP, MHR Institutional Partners IIA LP, MHRC II LLC, and MHRC LLC
  • Bakkt Holdings, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Represented Tesla and Elon Musk in a securities class action trial alleging $12 billion in losses, obtaining the first complete defense-side victory in a securities class action against a company in over 15 years.
  • Representing C3.ai in a securities class action arising from C3’s $650 million initial public offering.
  • Representing Bakkt Holdings in a securities class action, derivative action, and opt-out action arising from the $200 million IPO of VPC Impact Holdings and the $450 million de-SPAC transaction with Bakkt Holdings.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Harry Olivar, Jr., Jesse Bernstein, Andrew Rossman, Jonathan Pickhardt

Other key lawyers

Brian Timmons, Jim Asperger, Julia Choe, Emma Barton, Dabney O'Riordan, Alex Spiro