Major Victory for Firm’s Clients, Access Industries Inc. and its Principal, Len Blavatnik
September 26, 2007
Curtis achieved a major victory for its clients, Access Industries Inc. and its principal, Len Blavatnik, on September 24, 2007, when Judge Laura T. Swain of the Southern District of New York dismissed civil racketeering claims against them and thirty-three other defendants.
Plaintiff, a shareholder in a Russian oil company, asserted multiple RICO and Russian law claims against defendants, who included BP plc, its former chairman, Lord John Browne, and TNK-BP, Russia’s fourth largest oil company. Plaintiff contended that defendants engaged in a scheme to take over the Russian oil industry through a series of wrongful acts, allegedly committed mostly throughout Russia.
Defendants jointly moved to dismiss the claims on multiple bases, including the U.S. district court’s lack of subject matter jurisdiction over plaintiff’s claims.
In a twenty-page opinion, Judge Swain granted defendants’ motion on subject matter jurisdiction grounds without reaching defendants’ other arguments. The court explained that RICO’s extraterritorial application was limited and would only be applied when the complaint satisfied one of the tests for extraterritorial application. The court then found that the amended complaint failed to satisfy either of the so-called "conduct" or "effects" tests and that the court thus lacked subject matter jurisdiction. The court also denied plaintiff leave to file another amended complaint, finding that further amendment would be futile.
This is the second time that Curtis and co-defense counsel have successfully achieved a dismissal of this suit by the district court. Judge Swain previously dismissed it on forum non conveniens grounds, but that decision was reversed by the Second Circuit. Plaintiff then filed the amended complaint that was dismissed by Judge Swain on September 24, 2007.
The Curtis attorneys who worked on this matter were partner Turner P. Smith and associates Myles K. Bartley and Joshua L. Blosveren.
Bryan A. Elwood was Quoted in an Article Entitled, "Latin American Companies See Opportunities in China’s Safety Woes" Posted on LatinLawyer Online
September 26, 2007
Bryan A. Elwood was quoted in an article entitled, "Latin American Companies See Opportunities in China’s Safety Woes" posted on LatinLawyer Online, September 25, 2007. The article was in reference to the New York State Bar Association International Law and Practice Section conference in Peru where Mr. Elwood participated in a panel discussion on "Trade Issues Affecting Exports from Latin America."
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth authored an article entitled, "Solución de controversias en materia de inversión extranjera: Capítulo XI" of NAFTA, published in Jurídica, the law review of the University Iberoamericana in Mexico City
September 26, 2007
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth authored an article entitled, "Solución de controversias en materia de inversión extranjera: Capítulo XI" of NAFTA, published in Jurídica, the law review of the University Iberoamericana in Mexico City. The article explains the rights and protections for investors and investments in NAFTA countries as well as the different applicable ICSID and UNCITRAL rules and procedures as part of the resolution of investment disputes.
Curtis Attorneys Selected as Super Lawyers
September 25, 2007
The Curtis attorneys listed below were selected by Super Lawyers as the top 5% of Manhattan lawyers for their high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. They appeared on the 2007 list of Super Lawyers published in September. Super Lawyers is a comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys, representing a wide range of practice areas, firm sizes and geographic locations.
Peter E. Fleming, Jr., Partner
General Litigation, Criminal Defense and Securities Litigation
T. Barry Kingham, Partner
Civil Litigation Defense, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Eliot Lauer, Partner
Business Litigation, Securities Litigation, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Steven J. Reisman, Partner
Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
Robert W. Sheehan, Partner
Estate Planning & Probate
Lizabeth L. Burrell, Counsel
Transportation/Maritime, Appellate, Business/Corporate
Mubarak Said of the Muscat office was elected by the US Embassy to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Muscat American Business Council
September 19, 2007
Mubarak Said of the Muscat office was elected by the US Embassy to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Muscat American Business Council.
Curtis is an exclusive legal sponsor of the Lipper HedgeWorld Risk Forum - "Surviving the Storm - Lessons Learned from the Subprime Crisis" on Thursday, October 25, 2007
September 14, 2007
Curtis is an exclusive legal sponsor of the Lipper HedgeWorld Risk Forum - "Surviving the Storm - Lessons Learned from the Subprime Crisis" on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich, CT. This is a panel discussion by three industry veterans with over a century of experience; Leslie Rahl and Barbara Lucas of Capital Market Risk Advisors, Inc. and Rick Bookstaber author of "A Demon of Our Own Design." The panel discussion begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by a cocktail reception from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Bobbie Brock at bbrock@cm-p.com or at 212-696-6923.
Curtis partner Victor Zimmermann will be a panelist at the Lipper HedgeWorld Investor Outlook and Master Class seminar on Tuesday, October 2, 2007
September 14, 2007
Curtis partner Victor L. Zimmermann will be a panelist at the Lipper HedgeWorld Investor Outlook and Master Class seminar on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at the New York Athletic Club. Mr. Zimmermann will speak on the panel entitled, "Seeding Capital: The Tradeoffs." The seminar begins at 9:15 a.m. and will finish at 4:45 p.m.
Curtis partner, Victor L. Zimmermann participated in a panel discussion entitled "Managing Costly Cash Flow Mismatches Through Credit Facilities"
September 11, 2007
Curtis partner, Victor L. Zimmermann participated in a panel discussion entitled "Managing Costly Cash Flow Mismatches Through Credit Facilities" at the Financial Research Associates Annual Hedge Fund Business Operations Forum on September 11, 2007.
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost was named in the September 2007 issue of The American Lawyer.
September 10, 2007
In the September 2007 issue of The American Lawyer, Curtis partners T. Barry Kingham and Turner Smith, and associates Gabriel Hertzberg and Priya Swaminathan were named in the Big Suits column as counsel to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
Curtis Attorneys Selected as The Best Lawyers in America 2008
September 7, 2007
The following Curtis attorneys were listed in Best Lawyers for their respective areas of practice; Lizabeth L. Burrell, Maritime Law; Peter E. Fleming, Jr., White-Collar Criminal Defense; T. Barry Kingham, Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Criminal Defense; Eliot Lauer, White-Collar Criminal Defense; and Robert W. Sheehan, Trusts and Estates.
Andrew H. Seiden, International Corporate partner, was appointed Chair of the Publicity, Privacy & Media Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section.
September 7, 2007
Andrew H. Seiden, International Corporate partner, was appointed Chair of the Publicity, Privacy & Media Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section.
Ibrahim Al Akhzami of the Muscat office has recently been admitted to practice in the Court of Appeal in Oman.
September 5, 2007
Ibrahim Al Akhzami of the Muscat office has recently been admitted to practice in the Court of Appeal in Oman.
Victor L. Zimmermann, partner of the Curtis Stamford office and Vice Chairman of the Firm’s International Funds practice, was extensively quoted in an article entitled "Hedge Fund Managers See Opportunity"
August 14, 2007
Victor L. Zimmermann, partner of the Curtis Stamford office and Vice Chairman of the Firm’s International Funds practice, was extensively quoted in an article entitled "Hedge Fund Managers See Opportunity" in the August 14, 2007 issue of the Stamford Advocate.
Curtis counsel and President of The Maritime Law Association of the United States, Lizabeth L. Burrell participated in the signing of the new Nairobi Convention on Wreck Removal.
August 7, 2007
Curtis counsel and President of The Maritime Law Association of the United States, Lizabeth L. Burrell participated in the signing of the agreed text of the new Nairobi Convention on Wreck Removal as a member of the U.S. delegation to the International Maritime Organization, the maritime branch of the United Nations. The signing of the new convention text took place on May 18, 2007.
Curtis partner Lynn P. Harrison 3rd recently participated in a video interview entitled "China’s Changing Economy" on Forbes.com
August 2, 2007
Curtis partner Lynn P. Harrison 3rd recently participated in a video interview entitled "China’s Changing Economy" on Forbes.com. To view the video, please click on the link below.
"China’s Changing Economy" on Forbes.com
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle S.C. is profiled in the 2007 issue of LatinLawyer 250
August 2, 2007
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle S.C. is profiled in the 2007 issue of LatinLawyer 250, Latin America's leading business law firms publication.
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth’s article, "Mexico: Legal Obligations of Mexican Companies - Or How to Avoid Common Pitfalls" has been posted on Mondaq.
August 1, 2007
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth’s article, "Mexico: Legal Obligations of Mexican Companies - Or How to Avoid Common Pitfalls" has been posted on Mondaq on July 26, 2007. Mondaq is an electronic resource of professionals’ knowledge and expertise providing legal, regulatory and financial commentary and information. To view the article, please click on the link below.
Mexico: Legal Obligations of Mexican Companies - Or How to Avoid Common Pitfalls
Curtis serves as conflicts counsel to Calpine Corp.
July 16, 2007
Curtis serves as conflicts counsel to Calpine Corp., and its affiliated debtor and non-debtor entities in its chapter 11 bankruptcy cases pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Calpine is the world’s largest producer of geothermal electricity and operates the largest fleet of natural gas-fired plants in North America. Calpine’s chapter 11 bankruptcy cases are the largest and most complex reorganizations that have been filed under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. On June 20, 2007, with the assistance of Curtis, Calpine filed its Disclosure Statement and Plan of Reorganization. The filing of a Disclosure Statement and Plan of Reorganization is a significant milestone in Calpine’s reorganization efforts. Calpine hopes to have its Plan of Reorganization confirmed during the 4th Quarter of 2007. The Curtis team working on the Calpine bankruptcy cases is led by partners Steven Reisman, Dan Lenihan, Mike Moscato and Theresa Foudy.
The American Embassy in Muscat recently granted Ibrahim A. Al-Akhzami, Curtis Oman associate, a scholarship to attend a two week mini-MBA program.
July 16, 2007
The American Embassy in Muscat recently granted Ibrahim A. Al-Akhzami, Curtis Oman associate, a scholarship to attend a two week mini-MBA program conducted by the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Bahrain. The program was offered to the top 15 promising young Omani leaders.
Katonah Village Improvement Society
July 10, 2007
Curtis is representing the Katonah Village Improvement Society pro bono in KVIS’s opposition to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s attempted registration of the name "Katonah" as a trademark for a wide range of consumer products, including furniture, hardware, linens and paints. The Katonah Village Improvement Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community organization founded in 1878 to improve and maintain the quality of life in the village of Katonah, New York. The Curtis team is led by partners Andrew H. Seiden and Turner P. Smith. The team also includes counsel Eric J. Stenshoel, associates Michael J. Brown and Gabriel Hertzberg and summer associate Chelsea McLean.
Curtis has been mentioned as counsel to Katonah Village Improvement Society in the following media venues:
The Record Review - PDF, 7.46MB
Business Week Online
AOL News
Curtis’ Representation of Katonah Village Improvement Society Featured in Business Week Online
July 6, 2007
Business Week Online featured an article entitled "Katonah vs. Martha Stewart" on Wednesday, July 4, 2007. The article recognized Curtis, Mallet-Prevost’s pro bono representation of the Katonah Village Improvement Society in the case. International Corporate partner Andrew H. Seiden, Chair of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, was quoted in the article. To read the article, please click on the link.
Counsels Gary L. Cutler and Andrew D. Otis co-authored an article entitled, "New Jersey to Pass Statute Implementing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative"
July 2, 2007
Counsels Gary L. Cutler and Andrew D. Otis co-authored an article entitled, "New Jersey to Pass Statute Implementing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative," which was featured in the June 2007 issue of the New Jersey State Bar Association Environmental Law Newsletter.
To read the article, please click on the link below.
New Jersey State Bar Association Environmental Law Newsletter - PDF, 69KB
Curtis was featured in The Record-Review article entitled, "Legal Eagles Enlisted to Combat Martha Stewart Trademark Plan".
June 25, 2007
Curtis was featured in The Record-Review article entitled, "Legal Eagles Enlisted to Combat Martha Stewart Trademark Plan," that reports on the Firm’s pro bono representation of the not-for-profit Katonah Village Improvement Society, in its opposition to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s attempt to register the name "Katonah" as a trademark. The Curtis team is led by partners Andrew H. Seiden and Turner P. Smith. The team also includes counsel Eric J. Stenshoel, associates Michael J. Brown and Gabriel Hertzberg and summer associate Chelsea McLean.
To read the article, please click on the link below.
Record-Review - PDF, 7.46MB
Curtis Paris Partner Geoffroy P. Lyonnet was Appointed by the ICC Commission of Arbitration as Co-chair of a Task Force.
June 7, 2007
Curtis Paris partner Geoffroy P. Lyonnet was appointed by the ICC Commission of Arbitration as co-chair of a task force on: "National rules of procedure for recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards pursuant to the New York Convention of 1958," an important initiative meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the New York Convention.
Curtis Client Flextronics announces the signing of a merger agreement to acquire Solectron Corporation in a stock and cash deal valued at over $3.6 billion.
June 5, 2007
Flextronics International Ltd. announced today the signing of a merger agreement to acquire Solectron Corporation in a stock and cash deal valued at over $3.6 billion. The combined company will have annual revenues of more than $30 billion, operations in 35 countries and a combined workforce of approximately 200,000 employees, and will combine Flextronics's vertical integration and ODM capabilities with Solectron's strengths in high-end computing, communications and networking infrastructure. Following completion, Flextronics will be the premier global provider of advanced design and vertically integrated electronics manufacturing services. The closing is expected to occur at the end of 2007 and is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The Curtis team on this matter includes Jeffrey N. Ostrager, Valarie Hing, Jeffrey Zuckerman, Evan Borenstein, Eduardo Cukier, Andrew Otis, Mike Kushner, John Nielsen, Eric Stenshoel, Danny Phillips, Doug Glazer, Leonora Shalet, Azish Filabi, Olga Beloded and Veronique Hodeau.
The Firm’s representation of Flextronics was covered in publications including The Deal, PR Newswire and Mergerstat Review.
Read More ...
Mexico City Partner, Antonio M. Prida’s article was published by The Harvard Law School Association of Mexico.
June 5, 2007
Mexico City Partner, Antonio M. Prida’s article entitled, "The Religion Laws of the Mexican State, Analyzed from the Perspective of Benito Juárez Ideals and from the Perspective of the Human Rights International Law," was published by The Harvard Law School Association of Mexico.
Bryan Elwood’s article was published in the North American Free Trade & Investment Report.
June 4, 2007
Bryan Elwood, Counsel in the Washington D.C. office, specializing in International Trade and Customs law, authored the article, "U.S. Food Standards Modernization--what Mexican and Canadian food exporters should know about U.S. food safety and how pending new regulation could become a problem for them." The article was published in the May 31st issue of the North American Free Trade & Investment Report, a business biweekly report on legal and financial issues affecting direct investment and cross-border trade in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.
Curtis has been selected to be on The American Lawyer’s list of the nation’s 200 highest-grossing law firms.
June 1, 2007
Curtis has been selected to be on The American Lawyer’s list of the nation’s 200 highest-grossing law firms.
Curtis Promotes Five Attorneys at the New York Headquarters.
June 1, 2007
Curtis has named four new partners, Evan Borenstein, Martin Forman, James McCann, Peter F. Stewart, and one new counsel John Nielsen.
Please click on the link below to see the announcement.
New York Announcement
Curtis Was Featured in the New York Lawyer.
May 21, 2007
Curtis was featured in an article entitled "Constantinople to Chow Down on Some Turkey" posted on the New York Lawyer website on May 18, 2007. The article mentions the opening of the Curtis Istanbul office.
Curtis Announces the Opening of an Istanbul Office.
May 16, 2007
Read More
Curtis attorney Ali Gursel was quoted in an article entitled "Curtis, Mallet Launches in Istanbul"
May 16, 2007
Curtis attorney Ali Gursel was quoted in an article entitled "Curtis, Mallet Launches in Istanbul" in the May 16, 2007 issue of The Lawyer. Mr. Gursel stated, "It'll help us to better support our clients in these jurisdictions. We've always run an international firm and we have wanted to expand our capabilities
further."
Curtis London acts as lead transaction counsel in the IPO of Estonian company, Ekspress Grupp.
May 10, 2007
Read More
Curtis partners R. Jay Fortin and Victor L. Zimmermann co-authored an article entitled "Issues for Asset-Based Lending Funds - Protecting Your Collateral in Structured Cross-border Commodity Finance"
May 4, 2007
Curtis partners R. Jay Fortin and Victor L. Zimmermann co-authored an article entitled "Issues for Asset-Based Lending Funds - Protecting Your Collateral in Structured Cross-border Commodity Finance." The article will be published in the ISI Publication, Alternative Investment Quarterly, Issue 22, First Quarter 2007. Distribution of the publication is scheduled for May.
Curtis Partner Jeffrey I. Zuckerman Quoted in the Global Competition Review.
May 2, 2007
Curtis Partner Jeffrey I. Zuckerman was quoted in the April 27, 2007 issue of the Global Competition Review in an article entitled "Consortium Snaps Up Sallie Mae."
ICC Arbitration.
May 1, 2007
Curtis represented a state oil company in an ICC arbitration involving an alleged long-term contract for the supply of an oil product to a major power company.
ICSID Arbitration.
May 1, 2007
Curtis represented a Latin American government in an ICSID arbitration against an international oil company involving oil production.
Curtis Partner Victor L. Zimmermann was Extensively Quoted in the April 28, 2007 Edition of Stamford, Connecticut's Daily Newspapers.
April 30, 2007
Curtis partner Victor L. Zimmermann was extensively quoted in the April 28, 2007 edition of Stamford, Connecticut's daily newspapers, The Advocate, and their affiliate Greenwich Time, in an article entitled "Hedge Fund Bill May Not Get a Vote."
Fourth Circuit Cites Curtis Partner Jacques Semmelman's Law Review Article.
April 30, 2007
In a decision issued March 22, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit cited Jacques Semmelman's law review article, Federal Courts, the Constitution, and the Rule of Non-Inquiry in International Extradition Proceedings, 76 Cornell L. Rev. 1198 (1991), to reject the Government's argument, based on the "Rule of Non-Inquiry," that a federal district court lacks jurisdiction to review an extradition decision by the Secretary of State. The Rule of Non-Inquiry, a common law doctrine developed by the federal courts in international extradition cases, precludes a U.S. court from scrutinizing a foreign government's legal system in deciding whether to certify an accused for extradition. The Fourth Circuit stated that "[u]nderstanding the underpinnings of this rule is critical in deciding whether it applies here," and proceeded to cite extensively to Mr. Semmelman's article. The court concluded, based largely upon the history and doctrinal evolution of the rule as delineated in the article, that the Government's position was unjustified. The court, however, sustained the Government's position on a different, statutory basis. The case is reported at Mironescu v. Costner, 480 F.3d 664 (4th Cir. 2007).
Curtis partners Edward A. Kotite, Lawrence Goodman and Tom Mackay advised Gavel Securities on the funding and acquisition of Quarter Moon, Inc.
April 30, 2007
Curtis partners Edward A. Kotite, Lawrence Goodman and Tom Mackay advised Gavel Securities on the funding and acquisition of Quarter Moon, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of recreational and high performance small sailboats in North and Central America.
Curtis Partner Eero Rautalahti authors chapter in Financing Global Mining: The Complete Picture for PFI Market Intelligence.
April 30, 2007
Eero Rautalahti's chapter on 'Long-term concentrate contracts - essential risk management' was recently published in Financing Global Mining: The Complete Picture produced by PFI Market Intelligence. The publication looks at capital markets activity as it relates to the mining industry.
Curtis Partner Lynn P. Harrison, 3rd was featured in the Financier Worldwide.
April 27, 2007
Curtis Partner Lynn P. Harrison, 3rd authored an article entitled "East Meets West: Distressed Investing in China," which was featured in the Financier Worldwide April 2007 issue. Financier Worldwide is published every month and is recognized as a leading source of intelligence to the deal community.
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth's article was featured in the North American Free Trade and Investment Report.
April 26, 2007
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth's article entitled "Common Mistakes in Shareholders' Meetings in Mexican Stock Corporations," was featured in the April 15, 2007 issue of the North American Free Trade and Investment Report.
Curtis partner Peter M. Wolrich is chairing a panel on "Current Practice in International Arbitration" for Georgetown University Law Center.
April 24, 2007
Curtis partner Peter M. Wolrich is chairing a panel on "Current Practice in International Arbitration" for Georgetown University Law Center in Paris on May 5, 2007. He will also speak on the panel regarding "Techniques for Controlling Time and Cost in Arbitration."
Curtis partner Lynn P. Harrison 3rd was quoted in The Deal.
April 18, 2007
Curtis partner Lynn P. Harrison 3rd was quoted in the March 19-25, 2007 issue of The Deal in an article entitled "Down and Out in China."
Curtis attorney Peter Stewart will moderate a Solar Energy Panel at the Sixth Annual NanoBusiness Alliance Conference.
April 13, 2007
Curtis attorney Peter Stewart will moderate a Solar Energy Panel at the Sixth Annual NanoBusiness Alliance Conference on Monday, April 16, 2007 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The NanoBusiness Alliance is an industry association for the emerging nanotechnology industry.
Curtis partner Victor L. Zimmermann was a quoted source in an article titled, "Navigating the Hedge Fund Maze in a Leveraged World".
April 6, 2007
Curtis partner Victor L. Zimmermann was a quoted source in an article titled, "Navigating the Hedge Fund Maze in a Leveraged World" in the Business Section of The New York Times, April 6, 2007 edition.
Curtis international corporate partner Marie-Thérèse Allen participated as a delegate to the 23rd Annual International Business Conference of the Financial Women's Association of New York, which was held from March 15th through March 27, 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
April 5, 2007
Curtis international corporate partner Marie-Thérèse Allen participated as a delegate to the 23rd Annual International Business Conference of the Financial Women's Association of New York, which was held from March 15th through March 27, 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During the Conference she met with a number of high ranking government officials, members of parliament and ministers, and with CEOs and other executives of both Vietnamese businesses and government-owned entities, as well as of multinationals, other foreign companies and international banks doing business in Vietnam.
As a co-sponsor of the Conference (together with HSBC, Citibank, Vietcombank, AIG and VinaCapital), Curtis was showcased to all of the delegates, speakers and other participants in the Conference, and beyond through the Conference’s coverage in the Vietnamese business press.
Curtis London, led by Eero Rautalahti, have acted as the lead transaction counsel in the IPO of Ekspress Grupp, an Estonian publishing company operating in the Baltic States.
April 3, 2007
Curtis London, led by Eero Rautalahti, has acted as the lead transaction counsel in the IPO of Ekspress Grupp, an Estonian publishing company operating in the Baltic States. The transaction comprised a public offering under the EU Prospectus Directive and a private placement to European institutional investors. The Firm's client Suprema Securities was the Global Coordinator and Bookrunner for the offering which was eight times over-subscribed. The value of the transaction was $41 million and gave the company a market capitalization of $127 million.
Other Curtis attorneys who worked on this matter include Tom Mackay, Gerd Laub, Nick Donnelly and Chrysola Kounoupa in London and Peter Stewart and Jean Poh in New York.
Curtis Represents Federal Government in Loan Restructuring
March 21, 2007
On March 15, 2007, the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Board, represented by Curtis, entered into an agreement to restructure its $250 million federally guaranteed project loan to Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Company. The loan proceeds were used to construct a state of the art electric arc furnace at the company's plant in Steubenville, Ohio. The restructuring cleared the way for Wheeling's merger with Esmark Corporation, a downstream steel finishing and fabrication company. Wheeling was required to raise $50 million in new subordinated convertible debt and prepay $37.5 million in principal and one year of interest on the federal loan, in exchange for which Wheeling was granted financial covenant relief and consent to consummate the merger on specified terms and conditions. The covenant relief was structure to averted a "going concern" qualification to PricewaterhouseCoopers' audit opinion on Wheeling's 2006 financial statements. The engagement was handled for Curtis by Daniel Lenihan and Evan Borenstein, working in conjunction with the Steel Board's financial advisor, Lazard Freres & Co., and the loan's administrative agent, Royal Bank of Canada. The Steel Board was established by Act of Congress in 1999 and has been represented by Curtis since its inception. The Board is comprised of the Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce, and one of the five Commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Curtis partner, Peter M. Wolrich was lead counsel in an arbitration brought by a privately owned company against a tank terminal operator.
March 15, 2007
Curtis partner, Peter M. Wolrich was lead counsel in an arbitration brought by a privately owned company against a tank terminal operator. The dispute involved claims for damages resulting from the shutdown of the client's plant due to a fire on the respondent's premises. An award in favor of Curtis's client was recently rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal.
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth’s article “Legal Obligations of Mexican Companies - Or How to Avoid Common Pitfalls,” part 2 was published in the February 15, 2007 issue of the North American Free Trade and Investment Report, a biweekly report on legal and financial issues affecting direct investment and cross-border trade in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.
March 14, 2007
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth’s article “Legal Obligations of Mexican Companies - Or How to Avoid Common Pitfalls,” part 2 was published in the February 15, 2007 issue of the North American Free Trade and Investment Report, a biweekly report on legal and financial issues affecting direct investment and cross-border trade in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. To view the article, please click on the link below.
Please click here to view article.
Curtis partner and Co-Chairman of the Firm's Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Department, L.P. Harrison 3rd will speak at the Practising Law Institute's 29th Annual Current Developments in Bankruptcy & Reorganization seminar on Monday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 10, 2007.
March 12, 2007
Curtis partner and Co-Chairman of the Firm's Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Department, L. P. Harrison 3rd will speak at the Practising Law Institute's 29th Annual Current Developments in Bankruptcy & Reorganization seminar on Monday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 10, 2007. To view the program brochure, please click on the link below.
Please click here to view program brochure.
Curtis partner and Chair of the Private Equity Group Lawrence Goodman will speak at the Capital Roundtable: The Art of the Smaller Deal MasterClass - “How Smaller Middle- Market P.E. Funds Can Outperform the Great Big Ones” on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at the University Club in New York City.
March 08, 2007
Curtis Paris partner and Chair of the Private Equity Group Lawrence Goodman will speak at the Capital Roundtable: The Art of the Smaller Deal MasterClass - “How Smaller Middle- Market P.E. Funds Can Outperform the Great Big Ones” on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at the University Club in New York City. The seminar will be held from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. To register and receive $150 discount for the seminar go to http://www.capitalroundtable.com/masterclass/mc_2007-03-15.html and enter code "CurtisVIP."
Curtis partner Lynn P. Harrison 3rd appeared on "A Passage From Wall Street," a weekly 25 minute special that aired on Phoenix TV InfoNews Channel.
March 08, 2007
Curtis Paris partner Lynn P. Harrison appeared on "A Passage From Wall Street," a weekly 25 minute special that aired on Phoenix TV InfoNews Channel. Mr. Harrison discussed investment and business opportunities in China, and what the Chinese government should do to enable Western investors to help Chinese business grow.
Curtis Frankfurt partner Dr. Ronald Moeder and associate Christian Ochs are presenting on the topic "eAdministration today and tomorrow!?"
March 06, 2007
Curtis Paris partner Dr. Ronald Moeder and associate Christian Ochs are presenting on the topic "eAdministration today and tomorrow!?" for the Local Government of the City of Stuttgart on March 7, 2007.
Curtis Paris partner Raymond Gianno will be an expert participant for Doing Business in 2008, scheduled for publication in September 2007
February 27, 2007
Curtis Paris partner Raymond Gianno will be an expert participant for Doing Business in 2008, scheduled for publication in September 2007. The Doing Business database provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement. The Doing Business indicators are comparable across 175 countries. They indicate the regulatory costs of business and can be used to analyze specific regulations that enhance or constrain investment, productivity, and growth. Doing Business has stimulated reforms in over 50 countries.
Curtis Counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was mentioned in the March 5, 2007 issue of Holland & Knight's newsletter the Maritime Spotlight and in the February 20, 2007 issue of Maritime Advocate Online
February 23, 2007
Curtis counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was mentioned in the March 5, 2007 issue of Holland & Knight's newsletter the Maritime Spotlight and in the February 20, 2007 issue of Maritime Advocate Online. Ms. Burrell is president of the Martime Law Association and will be accepting an award on its behalf during a reception on March 28, 2007 where The American Merchant Museum Foundation at King’s Point will pay tribute to the US Maritime Law Association.
Curtis Frankfurt Partner Dr. Ronald Moeder presented on the topic of Corporate Governance at an MBA Program during the 2006/2007 winter semester seminar at Heilbronn University in Germany
February 8, 2007
Curtis Frankfurt partner Dr. Ronald Moeder presented on the topic of Corporate Governance at an MBA Program during the 2006/2007 winter semester seminar at Heilbronn University in Germany. Topics Dr. Moeder discussed included, “What is Corporate Governance,” “Principles of Corporate Governance,” “Corporate Governance in Practice,” and “Topics for Seminar Theses.”
Curtis Mexico Associate Mauricio Foeth’s article “Legal Obligations of Mexican Companies - Or How to Avoid Common Pitfalls” has been published in the January 31, 2007 issue of the North American Free Trade and Investment Report
February 8, 2007
Curtis Mexico associate Mauricio Foeth’s article “Legal Obligations of Mexican Companies - Or How to Avoid Common Pitfalls” has been published in the January 31, 2007 issue of the North American Free Trade and Investment Report, a biweekly report on legal and financial issues affecting direct investment and cross-border trade in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.
Please click here to download a copy of the article.
(.pdf, 258kb)
Curtis Partner Frank Russo, Counsel Stephen W. Duffy and Associates Carlos Longoria and Cristina Ramos advised Hilton Koch, owner and president of Hilton Mattress, one of Houston’s most successful and recognizable businesses, in his US$10 million purchase of the WNBA Houston Comets
February 1, 2007
Curtis partner Frank Russo, counsel Stephen W. Duffy and associates Carlos Longoria and Cristina Ramos advised Hilton Koch, owner and president of Hilton Mattress, one of Houston’s most successful and recognizable businesses, in his US$10 million purchase of the WNBA Houston Comets.
Curtis Partner Peter M. Wolrich has authored a chapter entitled “ADR Under the ICC ADR Rules” in the publication ADR in Business Practice and Issues Across Countries and Cultures (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, December 2006)
January 30, 2007
Curtis partner Peter M. Wolrich has authored a chapter entitled “ADR Under the ICC ADR Rules” in the publication ADR in Business Practice and Issues Across Countries and Cultures (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, December 2006). The purpose of the book is to look at ADR on its own terms as a way of resolving business disputes, particularly at the international level.
Curtis Counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell, president of The Maritime Law Association of the United States (“MLA”), attended a MLA Officers’ Meeting and Luncheon in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 2007
January 22, 2007
Curtis Counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell, president of The Maritime Law Association of the United States (“MLA”), attended a MLA Officers’ Meeting and Luncheon in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 2007. Also in attendance were representatives of the U.S. Department of State, Commerce, Justice, Transportation and Homeland Security, the Army Corps of Engineers, and of the Navy and Coast Guard.
Curtis Partner Carl A. Ruggiero, Frankfurt Counsel Marc V. Kramer and Associate Thomas Laurer were interviewed by Hedgework and spoke at a Hedgework event
January 18, 2007
Curtis partner Carl A. Ruggiero, Frankfurt counsel Marc V. Kramer and associate Thomas Laurer were interviewed by Hedgework, an organization that brings together members of the alternative investment and hedge fund industry in Germany. The discussion focused on structuring international hedge funds and the latest trends in hedge funds. The interview has been published on Hedgework’s website (www.hedgework.de) and was also circulated directly to all Hedgework members (around 500 people from the German alternative investment industry/community).
Shortly after the interview, Mr. Ruggiero, Mr. Kramer and Mr. Laurer spoke at a monthly Hedgework event in Frankfurt on “Convergence of hedge funds and private equity-legal aspects of an international trend.”
Please click here to download a copy of the interview.
(German, .pdf, warning: large file/slow download)
Curtis Partner Antonio M. Prida was featured in the January edition of Entorno, a news magazine of the Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX), as the co-author of “A Proposed Agenda for an Electoral Reform”
January 17, 2007
Curtis partner Antonio M. Prida was featured in the January edition of Entorno, a news magazine of the Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX), as the co-author of “A Proposed Agenda for an Electoral Reform.” Mr. Prida’s article indicates that past presidential elections in Mexico showed the strength of the electoral institutions which withstood pressure from populist parties and non-governmental groups. However, Mr. Prida also proposes reforms to the election laws in order to avoid the post-electoral drama witnessed by the world.
Curtis Partner Carl A. Ruggiero was quoted in the January 12th edition of Connecticut’s daily newspaper, The Advocate, in an article titled “A Portfolio Fit for a Prophet”
January 12, 2007
Curtis partner Carl A. Ruggiero was quoted in the January 12th edition of Connecticut’s daily newspaper, The Advocate, in an article titled “A Portfolio Fit for a Prophet.” The article discusses Western hedge funds looking to the Middle East for capital.
Curtis Counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell is listed as one of the “Notable Practitioners” in Shipping in the 2007 edition of Chambers and Partners Global Guide.
January 11, 2007
Curtis counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell is listed as one of the “Notable Practitioners” in Shipping in the 2007 edition of Chambers and Partners Global Guide.
Curtis Partner Victor L. Zimmermann quoted in Stamford Advocate
December 19, 2006
Victor L. Zimmermann, managing partner of the Firm’s Stamford, Connecticut office, was quoted extensively in the article “Funds Likely To Support Investor Limits” published in the Stamford Advocate on December 21, 2006. The article describes the favorable investor reaction to the SEC’s recent proposal to limit the number of investors eligible to invest in hedge funds to those worth more than US$2.5M.
Curtis Represented Wilmington Trust Company in Chapter 11 Reorganization Of Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. And Affiliates
December 19, 2006
Curtis represented Wilmington Trust Company in its role as Indenture Trustee of the US$300M eight and seventh-eighths (87/8%) Senior Notes, due in 2008, issued by Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and guaranteed by various affiliates (collectively “Winn-Dixie”). Wilmington Trust also served as an active member of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie’s Plan of reorganization became effective on November 21, 2006 and the holders of the Senior Notes are expected to recover in excess of 96 cents on the dollar on their unsecured claims payable in publicly traded reorganized Winn-Dixie Common Stock expected to be issued on or about December 21, 2006. The Curtis team was led by partners Steven J. Reisman and Theresa Foudy. Associates Andrew Thau, Peter Behmke and Anting Wang assisted on the engagement.
Curtis was mentioned as counsel to PlusFunds in an article entitled “Stepping Away from the Data” in the December 15, 2006 issue of HedgeWorld Daily News
December 18, 2006
Curtis was mentioned as counsel to PlusFunds in an article entitled “Stepping Away from the Data” in the December 15, 2006 issue of HedgeWorld Daily News.
Curtis Counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was quoted extensively in an article titled “Law Society Walks the Link on EFTs” in the December 15, 2006 issue of TradeWinds, a maritime-focused publication
December 14, 2006
Curtis counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was quoted extensively in an article titled “Law Society Walks the Link on EFTs” in the December 15, 2006 issue of TradeWinds, a maritime-focused publication.
Curtis Partner Turner Smith was mentioned as counsel to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in an article titled “FIFA to Appeal Ruling” in London’s The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, December 14, 2006
December 14, 2006
Curtis partner Turner Smith was mentioned as counsel to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in an article titled “FIFA to Appeal Ruling” in London’s The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, December 14, 2006.
Curtis Counsel Bryan Elwood co-authored an article entitled “NAFTA at Twelve Years: An Overview” that was published in the New York Bar Association’s International Law Practicum periodical
December 13, 2006
Curtis Counsel Bryan Elwood co-authored an article entitled “NAFTA at Twelve Years: An Overview” that was published in the New York Bar Association’s International Law Practicum periodical
Curtis client Access completed a sale of its 25% + 1 share stake in Svyazinvest, the Russian national telephone company, to OAO Comstar United Telesystems (“Comstar”) in the largest Russian transaction of the year
December 12, 2006
Curtis client Access completed a sale of its 25% + 1 share stake in Svyazinvest, the Russian national telephone company, to OAO Comstar United Telesystems (“Comstar”) in the largest Russian transaction of the year. As part of the same transaction, Access acquired the right to purchase 11% of the shares of Comstar, a Russian company that did an IPO in February of this year. Access purchased the Svyazinvest stake in 2004 from the Soros group in a transaction handled by Evan Borenstein and Jeff Ostrager.
The Curtis team who handled the transaction was led by William Bricker and included Evan Borenstein, Eileen Matthews, Jeff Ostrager, Doug Glazer, Ed Cukier, Olga Beloded, Valarie Hing and Tom Mackay.
Please click here to download the official Curtis announcement of the deal.
Curtis Partner Robert W. Sheehan is a new member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP)
December 11, 2006
Curtis partner Robert W. Sheehan is a new member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP). STEP is a unique professional body providing members with a local, national and international learning and business network. Members of STEP are the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates.
Curtis Partner Eduardo A. Cukier has been appointed Special Professor of Law at the Hofstra University School of Law
December 7, 2006
Curtis partner Eduardo A. Cukier has been appointed Special Professor of Law at the Hofstra University School of Law. He will teach a course on International Taxation during the 2007 spring semester.
Curtis Partner Peter M. Wolrich will appear in The International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration 2007
December 4, 2006
Curtis partner Peter M. Wolrich will appear in The International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration 2007, the Arbitration chapter of The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2007, which will published in March 2007.
His listing can immediately be viewed on www.whoswholegal.com and www.globalarbitrationreview.com.
Curtis Counsel Andrew Otis and Associate Dora Straus achieved a victory for pro bono client New York Council of Dog Owner Groups (NYCDOG)
November 30, 2006
Curtis Counsel Andrew Otis and Associate Dora Straus achieved a victory for pro bono client New York Council of Dog Owner Groups (NYCDOG) in New York State Supreme Court - Queens County when Judge Peter A. Kelly issued an opinion dated November 30, 2006 in the matter of Juniper Park Civic Association, Inc v. City of New York, 7888/2006 that dismissed in its entirety petitioner’s motion to compel the New York City Parks Department to rescind its policy of allowing dogs off-leash in certain locations in City parks at certain hours.
Curtis Counsel Gary L. Cutler’s article “Corporate Responsibility for Misconduct of Management” was published in the Outside Counsel column of the November 28, 2006 New York Law Journal
November 30, 2006
Curtis Counsel Gary L. Cutler’s article “Corporate Responsibility for Misconduct of Management” was published in the Outside Counsel column of the November 28, 2006 New York Law Journal.
Curtis attorneys attend the Fall Meeting of the International Law and Practice Section of the New York State Bar Association held in Shanghai, China
November 30, 2006
Curtis attorneys Marco A. Blanco, Bryan A. Elwood, Lynn P. Harrison 3rd and Andrew D. Otis traveled to Shanghai in October for the Fall Meeting of the International Law and Practice Section of the New York State Bar Association.
Mr. Blanco, a member of the Meeting’s Steering Committee was a featured speaker at the event on the subject of cross-border tax planning. Mr. Elwood, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Otis co-chaired meeting panels and also spoke. Mr. Elwood’s presentation concentrated on international trade. Mr. Harrison addressed the recent developments in the bankruptcy laws of China and the United States with special emphasis on the New Enterprise Bankruptcy Law in China enacted in August 2006. Finally, Mr. Otis spoke about lessons from implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act for implementation of China’s Environmental Assessment Law. During their trip, the Curtis attorneys also traveled to Beijing to participate in additional conferences, deliver speeches and meet with Chinese law firms and potential clients. Curtis is currently assisting Chinese clients with legal issues in the United States, Europe and Latin America and developing a practice area to better assist clients with business in China.
For further information, please contact Greta Schneider, Client Relations Manager at gschneider@cm-p.com or Partners Roman Bninski rbninski@cm-p.com and Lynn Harrison lharrison@cm-p.com.
Curtis counsel Jonathan Harris was quoted in the November 17, 2006 issue of The New York Times
November 17, 2006
Curtis counsel Jonathan Harris was quoted in the November 17, 2006 issue of The New York Times in an article entitled, “Savoring a Small Victory After a Market Timing Scandal,” regarding the defense of Frederick J. O'Meally, former Prudential and Wachovia Broker.
Tom Mackay, partner of Curtis London, was one of about sixteen external lawyers invited to join an Implementation Advisory Group set up by the UK government after the UK Companies Act received Royal Assent
November 13, 2006
Tom Mackay, partner of Curtis London, was one of about sixteen external lawyers invited to join an Implementation Advisory Group set up by the UK government after the UK Companies Act received Royal Assent last week. It is reported to be the single largest piece of legislation in the world and will take many, many months before it is fully implemented.
Curtis was ranked among other national law firms for their 2006 summer associate program in The American Lawyer Student Edition, November 2006 issue
November 6, 2006
Curtis was ranked among other national law firms for their 2006 summer associate program in The American Lawyer Student Edition, November 2006 issue.
Curtis counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was mentioned in October 2006 on The Maritime Advocate online as new counsel to the Firm
November 1, 2006
Curtis counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was mentioned in October 2006 on The Maritime Advocate online as new counsel to the Firm.
Curtis associate Azish Filabi was published in the October 23, 2006 issue of the New Jersey Law Journal for her article entitled “Eminent Domain in the New Jersey Courts: A Review of the Superior Court Cases that have Interpreted Kelo”
October 25, 2006
Curtis associate Azish Filabi was published in the October 23, 2006 issue of the New Jersey Law Journal for her article entitled “Eminent Domain in the New Jersey Courts: A Review of the Superior Court Cases that have Interpreted Kelo.”
Click here to read the article
(135KB, pdf)
Curtis counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was highlighted in the October 23, 2006 issue of The Lawyer as new counsel based in Curtis’s New York office and current president of the Maritime Law Association of the United States
October 23, 2006
Curtis counsel Lizabeth L. Burrell was highlighted in the October 23, 2006 issue of The Lawyer as new counsel based in Curtis’s New York office and current president of the Maritime Law Association of the United States.
Curtis Achieves Dismissal for Arthur Andersen LLP from Enron “Megaclaims” Proceeding
October 16, 2006
Curtis successfully defended Arthur Andersen LLP in the Enron “Megaclaims” Proceeding before Judge Gonzalez in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Barclays — a defendant in the underlying proceeding — had asserted a third-party complaint against Andersen seeking contribution for certain claims brought against Barclays by the Enron estate.
On October 11, 2006, Judge Gonzalez granted Andersen’s motion to dismiss Barclays’ third-party complaint on the ground that a bankruptcy court cannot exercise supplemental jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367. In his opinion, Judge Gonzalez adopted Andersen’s argument that a bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction is limited to those matters referred to a bankruptcy court by the district court under 28 U.S.C. § 157. Whether a bankruptcy court can exercise supplemental jurisdiction is a dynamic topic in current bankruptcy jurisprudence. The Curtis team included partners Eliot Lauer, Steven J. Reisman and Theresa A. Foudy, and associate Timothy N. McCabe.
Curtis partner Victor L. Zimmermann was quoted in the October 13, 2006 edition of Stamford, Connecticut’s daily newspapers, The Advocate, and their affiliate Greenwich Time, in an article entitled “Registration Reconsidered”
October 13, 2006
Curtis partner Victor L. Zimmermann was quoted in the October 13, 2006 edition of Stamford, Connecticut’s daily newspapers, The Advocate, and their affiliate Greenwich Time, in an article entitled “Registration Reconsidered.”
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle Mexico City S.C. associate Mauricio Foeth was published in the July/August 2006 issue of A&M the German-Mexican Chamber of Commerce magazine for his article entitled “Nuevos Tipos De Sociedades Para Promover Las Inversiones”
October 12, 2006
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle Mexico City S.C. associate Mauricio Foeth was published in the July/August 2006 issue of A&M the German-Mexican Chamber of Commerce magazine for his article entitled “Nuevos Tipos De Sociedades Para Promover Las Inversiones”.
Please click here to read the article
Curtis successfully defended Arthur Andersen LLP in a federal securities fraud class action brought to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
October 4, 2006
Curtis successfully defended Arthur Andersen LLP in a federal securities fraud class action brought to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Andersen was the auditor of MedQuist, one of the nation’s leading medical transcription companies, whose shareholders alleged that MedQuist had fraudulently inflated its revenue by deliberately overbilling its customers. Andersen was alleged to have known of this fraud and yet still endorsed MedQuist’s financial statements. On September 29, 2006, Judge Jerome B. Simandle granted our motion to dismiss on the grounds that Andersen’s awareness of the fraud had not been adequately alleged. The court noted that the plaintiffs’ allegations were “self-defeating,” because they had alleged that MedQuist’s fraud operated by leavin
