|
Steven W. Thomas. Prior to forming TAF, Steven Thomas was a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell for six years where he developed a contingency-fee plaintiffs practice. Mr. Thomas' understanding of the financial markets and complex financial instruments provides a unique advantage to clients acting as plaintiffs. Mr. Thomas acted as the lead trial lawyer in obtaining a $521 million jury verdict for both compensatory and punitive damages against BDO Seidman LLP. After a five-month trial, the jury returned its gross negligence verdict in less than two hours and its punitive damage award in less than an hour. Mr. Thomas also obtained multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for businesses and investors in actions involving mergers and acquisitions, professional malpractice against accountants and lawyers, fraud in connection with the trading of securities and disputes involving intellectual property rights. In representing such business plaintiffs, Mr. Thomas has negotiated agreements with creditors for troubled companies in and out of bankruptcy, and represented debtors, creditors and creditor committees as special litigation counsel in a variety of actions.
Mr. Thomas also represents businesses as defendants in both criminal and civil antitrust actions, and has extensive experience representing businesses and boards of directors in internal and external investigations. Mr. Thomas recently negotiated a successful resolution of a criminal antitrust matter with the U.S. Department of Justice for a multinational corporation, with no
indictment, no payment of a fine, and no publicity for the company.
Mr. Thomas attended Duke Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Duke Law Journal and graduated Order of the Coif. Mr. Thomas clerked for The Honorable Ralph K. Winter, formerly Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Emily Alexander, formerly of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, is an experienced litigator and trial attorney. Most recently, Ms. Alexander was second chair in a five month trial resulting in a $521 million verdict against BDO Seidman LLP, the fifth largest accounting firm. At trial, Ms. Alexander examined and cross-examined key witnesses, including a convicted felon and BDO auditors.
Ms. Alexander has represented business clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in partnership and contract disputes, negligence and malpractice actions, intellectual property and securities fraud claims, and antitrust and regulatory matters.
Ms. Alexander graduated from Fordham Law School, Order of the Coif, and clerked for the Honorable Lawrence M. McKenna of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. She is a member of both the New York and California bar.
Mark Forrester, &nhsp; formerly of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and the Law Offices of Mark Forrester, represents businesses in crisis. Mr. Forrester also brings and defends class actions, and has substantial experience in litigation involving financial matters, including banking, accounting and
securities fraud.
Mr. Forrester graduated from Columbia Law School, Order of the Coif. He clerked for the Honorable M. Blaine Michael of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Jessica Rassler, also formerly of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, is an associate at Thomas, Alexander & Forrester LLP. Ms. Rassler was a member of the trial team that secured a $521 million jury verdict against BDO Seidman.
Ms. Rassler graduated from Stanford Law School and clerked for the Honorable Legrome D. Davis of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She is a member of both the California bar and the New York bar.
|
