Complex Commercial Litigation

• Represented an SEC receiver in numerous litigation matters, at both the trial and appellate levels, arising out of a multi-billion-dollar securities fraud. Ariel was a member of the trial team in the case against a group of defendants that provided banking services to Stanford, which settled for over $1.6 billion, therefore bringing the total litigation recoveries for the Receivership to over $2.7 billion.
• Represented technology company in dispute arising from an acquisition and earn-out payment, and related advancement proceedings, involving an alleged $100-million-dollar fraud arising from an acquisition of a technology company.
• Represented consumer products company in dispute arising from an asset purchase agreement involving claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraudulent inducement, and civil conspiracy.
• Defended electric utility in breach of contract dispute arising from the development of a power plant, which resulted in significant victory on summary judgment.
• Represented technology company in dispute involving claims of patent infringement and fraudulent transfers.
• Represented real estate developer in breach of contract dispute.
• Represented consumer products company at jury trial involving breach of contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
• Represented the University of California in dispute regarding patent assignment agreement.

Trade Secret and IP Litigation

• Represented large multinational oil and gas services company in jury trial arising from a dispute over a technology purchase agreement, which involved claims for breaches of the purchase agreement, fraudulent inducement, theft of trade secrets, and tortious interference.
• Defended health care company at jury trial and in other, related matters arising from a software license agreement involving claims for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, theft of trade secrets, and copyright infringement.
• Representing energy company in dispute involving former employees’ alleged theft of trade secrets and breaches of employment agreements.

False Advertising Class Actions

• Defended beverage manufacturer in several consumer class actions across the country challenging the labeling and marketing of a well-known diet soda brand; obtained wins at motion to dismiss stage in California and New York, which were upheld on appeal by the Ninth Circuit and Second Circuit.
• Defended beverage manufacturer in numerous consumer class actions in the United States and Canada challenging the labeling and marketing of another popular beverage; in the leading case, reached favorable settlement following significant partial victory at summary judgment; eventually obtained favorable nationwide settlement.
• Defended consumer goods manufacturer in false advertising and labeling consumer class action; obtained victory on summary judgment.

Antitrust

• Representing major grocer and food services provider asserting antitrust claims in multi-district litigation involving multi-billion dollar food industries.
• Represented company and its high-level executives in antitrust class action.
• Represented transportation network company in several lawsuits alleging antitrust violations and other business torts.

Other

• Represented former professional athlete in proceeding before the U.S. Olympic Committee.
• Defended an investment adviser in SEC investigation and action alleging violations of the Investment Advisers Act.
• Represented recycling company in employment class actions.