Overview Choate is a go-to firm for complex, high stakes business litigation. We help sophisticated clients across jurisdictions resolve their most challenging business disputes through various forms of litigation, including trials, arbitrations, and appeals. And, unlike many lawyers today, we are trial lawyers – able to develop sophisticated strategies that win. Our experience in trying cases often leads to a negotiated resolution favorable to our clients. Whether a dispute is just starting to develop, a client wants to understand its rights, or a complaint has been filed, our seasoned lawyers know how to give practical, informed advice designed to maximize the chance of success while being mindful of cost and risk. Our approach is entirely business-focused and client-centered. Antitrust Choate is a leader in litigating antitrust cases, advising on pricing and competitive strategies, and managing antitrust issues in complex transactions such as mergers, joint ventures and IP licensing. We also represent and advise clients navigating various government enforcement agencies including the Federal Trade Commission, US Department of Justice, State Attorney General’s Offices, Federal courts, State courts and Hart-Scott-Rodino compliance. Our strategic experience covers a wide range of industries, including biotechnology, consumer electronics, financial services and insurance, food and beverage, healthcare, life sciences, logistics/transportation, manufacturing, media, medical products, specialty manufacturing, technology, and wholesaling. Class Action & Derivative Litigation Whether defending challenging “bet-the-company” or “bet the industry” litigation or responding to opportunistic suits that should be resolved with an early disposition, we stand at the cutting edge of developing class action jurisprudence. Our class action defense practice helps clients achieve their best outcomes. As there is no “one size fits all” approach to defending against a putative class action, we work closely with clients to evaluate the likelihood of prevailing and the likelihood of achieving a favorable settlement at various stages of a class action dispute. We are laser focused on the end game – achieving strategic results for our sophisticated clients. The agility that comes with our size and model allows us to follow an interdisciplinary approach, easily combining the procedural proficiency of our litigators with the hands-on, in-depth proficiency of our other leading practices. The result is rich, multi-disciplinary guidance which leads to superior strategies and outcomes. Commercial Litigation With clients ranging from fortune 100 companies, start-ups and universities to major law firms and individuals, our sophisticated litigation team represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-exposure cases. We are highly experienced in class actions and in private equity-related litigation, including handling sophisticated M&A and corporate governance investigations and prosecuting and defending disputes stemming from private M&A transactions. Our experience enables us to develop strategies that are tailored to align with the business goals of our clients. For matters that progress to the appeals stage, our team includes seasoned appellate lawyers, who put their experience to work handling high stakes appeals. Employment Choate regularly advises employers on all aspects of employment relationships – including when disputes arise requiring investigation and litigation – related to employment and non-compete agreements, leaves and disability accommodations, retaliation, and in claims related to discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, wrongful termination, defamation, and other tort claims. We also regularly assist clients in drafting and updating employee handbooks and policies, complying with wage and hour laws, and conducting terminations and reductions-in-force. Choate routinely appears before federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country, in arbitration, and in administrative agency proceedings. We provide advice on employment matters throughout the United States to clients based in Europe, Canada and around the world. Securities & Corporate Governance Choate has a preeminent practice led by senior lawyers with significant experience and success in representing investment funds, public corporations, their executives, and boards of directors in securities cases across the United States, including private shareholder class action and derivative litigation, internal investigations and special committee representations, SEC investigations/proceedings and white collar defense, and M&A litigation. Faced with new disclosure requirements and enhanced regulatory authority, examination practices and whistleblower provisions, companies and individuals need sensitive matters handled efficiently and discreetly. We have consistently succeeded in having cases derailed early through motions to dismiss, avoiding costly and time-consuming discovery. Our team has also been trusted by more than two dozen corporate boards of directors or their committees to provide advice and conduct investigations into sensitive matters, often in response to shareholder derivative demands.