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{{Short description|New York law firm}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox Law Firm
{{Infobox Law Firm
| firm_name = Kasowitz Benson Torres
| firm_name = Kasowitz Benson Torres
| firm_logo = [[File:Kasowitz_logo_2017.gif]]
| firm_logo = Kasowitz Benson Torres logo 2021.svg
| headquarters = [[Paramount Plaza]]<br>New York City
| headquarters = [[Paramount Plaza]]<br>New York City
| num_offices = 10<ref>"[http://www.kasowitz.com/offices/ Offices]". Kasowitz, Benson, Torres. ''kasowitz.com''. Retrieved June, 25 2020.</ref>
| num_offices = 9<ref>"[http://www.kasowitz.com/offices/ Offices]". Kasowitz, Benson, Torres. ''kasowitz.com''. Retrieved December 16, 2016.</ref>
| num_attorneys =
| num_attorneys =252<ref>"[https://www.nalpdirectory.com/employer_profile?FormID=11937&QuestionTabID=34&SearchCondJSON=.]". NALP Directory of Legal Employers. ''nalp.com''. Retrieved June, 25 2020.</ref>
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| practice_areas = [[Litigation]]
| practice_areas = [[Litigation]]
| key_people = [[Marc Kasowitz]], founder and managing partner<ref>"[http://www.kasowitz.com/marc-e-kasowitz/ Marc E. Kasowitz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220091029/http://www.kasowitz.com/marc-e-kasowitz/ |date=December 20, 2016 }}". Kasowitz, Benson, Torres&nbsp;&amp; Friedman. ''kasowitz.com''. Retrieved December 16, 2016.</ref>
| key_people = [[Marc Kasowitz]], founder and managing partner<ref>"[http://www.kasowitz.com/marc-e-kasowitz/ Marc E. Kasowitz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220091029/http://www.kasowitz.com/marc-e-kasowitz/ |date=December 20, 2016 }}". Kasowitz, Benson, Torres&nbsp;&amp; Friedman. ''kasowitz.com''. Retrieved December 16, 2016.</ref>
| revenue =
| revenue =$216,808,000<ref>"[https://www.law.com/law-firm-profile/?id=2868&name=Kasowitz-Benson-Torres-LLP#:~:text=With%20%24216%2C808%2C000%20gross%20revenue%20in,law%20firm%20in%20the%20world.]". Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP. ''law.com''. Retrieved June, 25 2020.</ref>
| date_founded = 1993
| date_founded = 1993
| founder =
| founder =
Line 17: Line 18:
| dissolved = <!-- Date/Reason the company dissolved, e.g., merger or bankruptcy -->
| dissolved = <!-- Date/Reason the company dissolved, e.g., merger or bankruptcy -->
}}
}}
'''Kasowitz, Benson & Torres''' is a New York law firm founded in 1993. It employs 252 lawyers throughout 10 offices.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The firm focuses on commercial [[litigation]], [[bankruptcy]] and [[restructuring]], real estate, as well as [[intellectual property]].<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The firm's notable clients have included [[Donald Trump]], [[AIG]], [[Comcast]], [[Condé Nast]], [[Douglas Elliman]], [[Enron]], [[Google]], [[Hilton Worldwide]], [[Liggett Group]], [[MetLife]], [[Teva Pharmaceuticals]], [[Robert De Niro]], [[U.S. Bank]], and [[WeWork]].
'''Kasowitz, Benson & Torres''' is a New York law firm founded in 1993. It employs 350 lawyers and maintains offices in several states.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The firm focuses on product liability [[litigation]], corporate, family and employment law, as well as [[intellectual property]], bankruptcy and [[creditors' rights]].<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The firm's notable clients have included [[Donald Trump]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cassens Weiss|first1=Debra|title=Meet Marc Kasowitz, the litigator who often represents Donald Trump|url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/meet_marc_kasowitz_the_litigation_lawyer_who_often_represents_donald_trump|website=ABA Journal|publisher=American Bar Association|accessdate=May 19, 2017}}</ref> [[Robert De Niro]], [[Celanese]], [[ArvinMeritor]], [[Liggett Group]], [[Enron]], [[WorldCom]] and [[Mia Farrow]].


==History==
==History==
===Founding===
The firm was founded as Kasowitz, Hoff, Benson & Torres in 1993 when [[Marc Kasowitz]] left the [[Mayer Brown]] law firm with 18 other lawyers and two clients.<ref name="American Lawyer">{{cite news|url=http://www.kasowitz.com/files/FastRise-NoWhitePage.pdf|last=Amon|first=Elizabeth|title=Fast Rise to the Top|date=August 2004|work=[[The American Lawyer]]|publisher=[[Incisive Media]]|pages=11|accessdate=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713135644/http://www.kasowitz.com/files/FastRise-NoWhitePage.pdf|archive-date=July 13, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[David Friedman (lawyer)|David M. Friedman]] was added as a partner in May 1995,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/19950501/SUB/505010712/profiles-executive-moves |title=Profiles/Executive Moves|date= May 1, 1995|work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> and William Bruce Hoff, Jr. left in November.<ref>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-12-25/news/ct-met-hoff-obit-20111225_1_trial-lawyer-models-nautical-research-journal William Bruce Hoff Jr.: Lawyer, model ship builder, dies] ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''</ref>
The firm was founded as Kasowitz, Hoff, Benson & Torres in 1993 when [[Marc Kasowitz]] left the [[Mayer Brown]] law firm with 18 other lawyers and two clients.<ref name="American Lawyer">{{cite news|url=http://www.kasowitz.com/files/FastRise-NoWhitePage.pdf|last=Amon|first=Elizabeth|title=Fast Rise to the Top|date=August 2004|work=[[The American Lawyer]]|publisher=[[Incisive Media]]|pages=11|accessdate=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713135644/http://www.kasowitz.com/files/FastRise-NoWhitePage.pdf|archive-date=July 13, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[David Friedman (lawyer)|David M. Friedman]] joined in 1994 and became a name partner in May 1995 and the firm was renamed Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/19950501/SUB/505010712/profiles-executive-moves |title=Profiles/Executive Moves|date= May 1, 1995|work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> William Bruce Hoff, Jr. left in November 1996.<ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/12/25/william-bruce-hoff-jr-1932-2011/ William Bruce Hoff Jr.: Lawyer, model ship builder, dies] ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''</ref>


===Expansion===
In 1996 several new lawyers joined the firm to begin its employment and matrimonial practices.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> It opened a New Jersey office in 1997, Atlanta in 2001<ref name="American Lawyer"/> and in 2003 the firm opened a San Francisco office while former assistant [[district attorney]], [[Leslie Crocker Snyder]], joined the office in New York.<ref> Unknown author, (September 2003) [http://www.kasowitz.com/supreme-court-justice-leslie-crocker-snyder-joins-kasowitz-benson-torres--friedman-09-30-2003/ Supreme Court Justice Leslie Crocker Snyder Joins Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414225126/http://www.kasowitz.com/supreme-court-justice-leslie-crocker-snyder-joins-kasowitz-benson-torres--friedman-09-30-2003/ |date=April 14, 2015 }} Official web site</ref> By 2004 the firm had increased to 160 lawyers and included an additional office in Atlanta.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> The firm opened its Miami, Florida office in 2006 and expanded its San Francisco, California office in 2007 by merging with the firm, Topel & Goodman.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The 2005 launch of the intellectual property arm of the company led to several personnel changes with various key lawyers arriving and departing.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> This included Peter J. Toren who left the intellectual property department in the spring of 2007.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/>
The firm began in New York City with 18 lawyers and after 6 months expanded to include a Houston branch office.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/><ref name="American Lawyer"/> Friedman joined the firm in 1993 or 1994 and opened its bankruptcy practice.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> In 1996 several new lawyers joined the firm to begin its employment and matrimonial practices.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> It opened a New Jersey office in 1997, Atlanta in 2001<ref name="American Lawyer"/> and in 2003 the firm opened a San Francisco office while former assistant [[district attorney]], [[Leslie Crocker Snyder]], joined the office in New York.<ref>Unknown author, (September 2003) [http://www.kasowitz.com/supreme-court-justice-leslie-crocker-snyder-joins-kasowitz-benson-torres--friedman-09-30-2003/ Supreme Court Justice Leslie Crocker Snyder Joins Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414225126/http://www.kasowitz.com/supreme-court-justice-leslie-crocker-snyder-joins-kasowitz-benson-torres--friedman-09-30-2003/ |date=April 14, 2015 }} Official web site</ref> By 2004 the firm had increased to 160 lawyers and included an additional office in Atlanta.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> The firm opened its Miami, Florida office in 2006 and expanded its San Francisco, California office in 2007 by merging with the seven lawyer firm, Topel & Goodman.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The 2005 launch of the intellectual property arm of the company led to several personnel changes with various key lawyers arriving and departing.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> This included Peter J. Toren who left the intellectual property department in the spring of 2007.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/>


In 2009 the firm hired Marcos Daniel Jimenez, former U.S. attorney for the [[Southern District of Florida]], to lead its Miami, Florida office<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"> Raymond, Nate (September 13, 2013). "[http://www.kasowitz.com/files/uploads/documents/kasowitz%20holds%20power%20close%20as%20he%20grows%20firm,%20lures%20business_new%20york%20law%20journal_9.13.10.pdf Kasowitz Holds Power Close As He Grows Firm, Lures Business]". ''[[New York Law Journal]]''. Accessed June 27, 2014.</ref> and added insurance recovery litigation to its practice.<ref name=AmLaw>{{cite web|last1=Lowe|first1=Zach|title=It's Official|url=http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2010/01/dicksteinkasowitz.html|website=Am Law Daily|publisher=AmLawDaily|accessdate=April 8, 2015}}</ref> In January 2010 the company added Robin Cohen and her insurance team from the firm, Dickstein Shapiro.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/>
In 2009 the firm hired Marcos Daniel Jimenez, former U.S. attorney for the [[Southern District of Florida]], to lead its Miami, Florida office<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013">Raymond, Nate (September 13, 2013). "[http://www.kasowitz.com/files/uploads/documents/kasowitz%20holds%20power%20close%20as%20he%20grows%20firm,%20lures%20business_new%20york%20law%20journal_9.13.10.pdf Kasowitz Holds Power Close As He Grows Firm, Lures Business]". ''[[New York Law Journal]]''. Accessed June 27, 2014.</ref> and added insurance recovery litigation to its practice.<ref name=AmLaw>{{cite web|last1=Lowe|first1=Zach|title=It's Official|url=http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2010/01/dicksteinkasowitz.html|website=Am Law Daily|publisher=AmLawDaily|accessdate=April 8, 2015}}</ref> In January 2010 the company added Robin Cohen and her insurance team from the firm, Dickstein Shapiro.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/>


In November 2012 the firm opened an additional office in Silicon Valley.<ref name="JD Journal">{{cite web|last1=Staff Writer|title=KBTF Open Office in Silicon Valley|url=http://www.jdjournal.com/2011/11/22/kasowitz-benson-torres-friedman-open-office-in-silicon-valley/|website=JD Journal|publisher=JDJournal|accessdate=April 8, 2015}}</ref> They opened a Los Angeles, California office in May 2013 led by partners that were lured away from Jenner & Block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jdjournal.com/2013/05/21/kasowitz-benson-poaches-two-partners-sets-them-up-in-new-la-office/|title=Kasowitz Benson Poaches Two Partners, Sets Them Up in New LA Office |publisher=JDJournal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Staff Writer|title=Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman|publisher=Insurance Weekly News|date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> In June, former U.S. Senator, [[Joe Lieberman]], joined the firm as Senior Counsel<ref>Unknown author, (June 6, 2013) [http://www.kasowitz.com/senator-joseph-lieberman-joins-kasowitz-06-06-20131 Senator Joseph Lieberman Joins Kasowitz] News, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP</ref> and his former Senate Chief of Staff, [[Clarine Nardi Riddle]] launched a Government Affairs branch of the company in Washington D.C.<ref name="China Weekly">{{cite news|last1=News Reporter|title=Kasowitz Opens DC Office with Clarine Nardi Riddle to Lead Government Affairs Practice|work=China Weekly News|date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> In October, two senior litigation attorneys from [[NBC Universal]] joined the firm's Los Angeles office to begin an entertainment litigation practice.<ref name=Variety>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Ted|title=NBCU Legal Execs Joint Litigation Firm|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/nbcu-legal-execs-join-litigation-firm-with-focus-on-profit-participation-disputes-1200688174/|website=Variety|publisher=Variety}}</ref>
In November 2012 the firm opened an additional office in Silicon Valley.<ref name="JD Journal">{{cite web|last1=Staff Writer|title=KBTF Open Office in Silicon Valley|url=http://www.jdjournal.com/2011/11/22/kasowitz-benson-torres-friedman-open-office-in-silicon-valley/|website=JD Journal|publisher=JDJournal|accessdate=April 8, 2015}}</ref> They opened a Los Angeles, California office in May 2013 led by partners that were lured away from Jenner & Block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jdjournal.com/2013/05/21/kasowitz-benson-poaches-two-partners-sets-them-up-in-new-la-office/|title=Kasowitz Benson Poaches Two Partners, Sets Them Up in New LA Office |publisher=JDJournal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Staff Writer|title=Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman|publisher=Insurance Weekly News|date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> In June, former U.S. Senator, [[Joe Lieberman]], joined the firm as Senior Counsel<ref>Unknown author, (June 6, 2013) [http://www.kasowitz.com/senator-joseph-lieberman-joins-kasowitz-06-06-20131 Senator Joseph Lieberman Joins Kasowitz] News, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP</ref> and his former Senate Chief of Staff, [[Clarine Nardi Riddle]] launched a Government Affairs branch of the company in Washington D.C.<ref name="China Weekly">{{cite news|last1=News Reporter|title=Kasowitz Opens DC Office with Clarine Nardi Riddle to Lead Government Affairs Practice|work=China Weekly News|date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> In October, two senior litigation attorneys from [[NBC Universal]] joined the firm's Los Angeles office to begin an entertainment litigation practice.<ref name=Variety>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Ted|title=NBCU Legal Execs Joint Litigation Firm|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/nbcu-legal-execs-join-litigation-firm-with-focus-on-profit-participation-disputes-1200688174/|website=Variety|date=October 2, 2013 |publisher=Variety}}</ref>


In 2014, following the resolution of several large cases, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman laid off approximately 30 of its 350 attorneys.<ref>{{cite news
In 2016, the transition team of President-elect Donald Trump announced that Friedman had been selected to be the nominee as the United States Ambassador to Israel.
| last =Simmons
| first =Christine
| title =Kasowitz Layoffs Tied to End of Credit Crisis Cases
| newspaper =New York Law Journal
| date =February 21, 2014
| url=http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/id=1202643902054/Kasowitz-Layoffs-Tied-to-End-of-Credit-Crisis-Cases
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last =Lat
| first =David
| title =Nationwide Layoff Watch: Casualties At Kasowitz Benson
| newspaper =Above the Law
| date =February 10, 2014
| url=http://abovethelaw.com/2014/02/nationwide-layoff-watch-casualties-at-kasowitz-benson/
}}</ref> In 2014, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman was ranked as the 119th largest firm in the United States by [[Law360]].<ref>[http://www.law360.com/articles/518950/law360-reveals-400-largest-us-law-firms Simpson, Jake, "Law360 Reveals 400 Largest US Law Firms"] ''Law360''</ref> In June, the firm was awarded the Chambers USA 2014 Award for Excellence.<ref>Staff Reporter (June 13, 2014) Kasowitz Insurance Policyholder Recovery Group Receives Chambers Award for Excellence, ''Insurance Weekly News''</ref>


⚫
===Notable clients and cases===
In 2019 Kevin Arquit, joined the firm as Co-Chair of the firm’s Antitrust Group.
In 2003 the firm successfully opposed a chemical company called Celanese and won an asbestos lawsuit involving the auto parts supplier, ArvinMeritor.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> They also overturned a $799 million punitive damages award levied against the Liggett cigarette company.<ref name="American Lawyer"/>


In 2004 the company received the "largest toxic tort settlement in U.S. history" in a case involving one of [[Monsanto]]'s company plants in Alabama.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> By 2005 the firm had participated in the bankruptcy cases of Enron, WorldCom, [[Global Crossing]] and [[Adelphia Communications]] and the matrimonial proceedings for Robert De Niro, [[Donna Hanover]] and Mia Farrow.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> The firm has represented [[Donald Trump]] since 2001.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morrow|first1=Brendan|title=Marc E. Kasowitz: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|url=http://heavy.com/news/2017/04/marc-e-kasowitz-attorney-lawyer-bill-o-reilly-donald-trump/|work=Heavy.com|date=April 19, 2017}}</ref> In January 2006, the firm filed a defamation lawsuit (dismissed in 2009) on behalf of Donald Trump against the author and publisher of ''[[TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald]]''.<ref>{{cite news
⚫
==Notable Cases and Clients==
| last =
The firm's clients include Fortune 500 companies, private equity and other investment firms across a wide range of industries. The firm has successfully secured billions of dollars in awards for clients, such as AIG, Aman Resorts, Aurelius Capital Management, Beverly Hills School District, Boston Properties, Centerbridge Partners, Coach, Comcast, Condé Nast, Douglas Elliman, Elie Tahari, Energy Transfer Partners, Fairfax Financial Holdings, Fir Tree Partners, Google, Harbinger Capital Partners, Hilton Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotel Group, J. Crew, Levi-Strauss, Liggett Group, MacAndrews & Forbes, MBIA, MetLife, MF Global Holdings, Morgans Hotel Group, National Grid, Related Companies, Renco, Rescap, Starwood Capital, State of Hawaii, Teva Pharmaceuticals, TPG, U.S. Bank, USG Asbestos Trust, Vector Group, Waterfall Asset Management, W.C. Bradley, and WeWork
| first =
| title =Trump Sues Writer and Book Publisher
| newspaper =The New York Times
| date =January 25, 2006
| url =https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/25/business/media/25trump.html
| accessdate =
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last =Goodman
| first =Peter
| title =Trump Suit Claiming Defamation Is Dismissed
| newspaper =The New York Times
| date =July 15, 2009
| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/business/media/16trump.html
}}</ref> In 2010 the firm's clients included [[Fortress Investment Group]], [[Liggett Group]], [[MBIA]] and [[Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited]].<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> In 2016, the firm represented Harold Peerenboom of Toronto in an extended legal fight with his seasonal [[Palm Beach, Florida]], neighbor, businessman [[Isaac Perlmutter]].<ref>[[Andrew Ross Sorkin|Sorkin, Andrew Ross]], [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/08/business/dealbook/lurid-suit-over-hate-mail-embroils-isaac-perlmutter-marvel-chief.html "Lurid Suit Over Hate Mail Embroils Isaac Perlmutter, Marvel Chief"], ''[[New York Times]]'' Dealbook, March 7, 2016. Retrieved 2017-06-09.</ref> In 2017, the firm had recently added the Russian [[Sberbank]] "in a case that accused it of conspiring to take over a Russian granite company".<ref>Sorkin, Andrew Ross, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/05/business/dealbook/sorkin-marc-kasowitz-trump-lawyer.html "Trump’s Lawyer, Marc Kasowitz: ‘The Toughest of the Tough Guys’"], ''New York Times'' Dealbook, June 5, 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-09.</ref>

In 2020, the firm registered as a foreign agent with the US Department of Justice after representing Kiryat Sefer, an Israeli real estate developer that built the first neighborhood of the [[Modi'in Illit]] settlement.<ref name="fara">{{cite web |title=Registration Statement |url=https://efile.fara.gov/docs/6863-Registration-Statement-20200828-1.pdf |website=Foreign Agents Registration Act |publisher=US Department of Justice |access-date=25 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="kswebsite">{{cite web |title=Kiryat Sefer |url=http://www.kiryatsefer.co.il/ |website=Kiryat Sefer |access-date=25 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="wpks">{{cite web |title=Who Profits - The Israeli Occupation Industry - Kiryat Sefer |url=https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/company/3722?kiryat-sefer-diur-modiin |website=Who Profits |access-date=25 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Administration==
The firm's main administration consists of the partners, Marc Kasowitz, Daniel Benson, Hector Torres and [[David M. Friedman|David Friedman]] and its executive committee consists of Kasowitz, Benson and Torres.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The company's average per partner profit was $2.9 million in 2004<ref name="American Lawyer"/> and $2.1 million in 2009.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> According to a 2004 article in [[American Lawyer]] the firm had a "diverse culture" featuring an exceptional number of young lawyers but fewer than the average number of women and minority employees.<ref name="American Lawyer"/> In contrast, a 2014 a report by American Lawyer ranked the firms cultural diversity as 59th out of the 223 firms they evaluated.<ref name="Amer Law">{{cite news|last1=Staff writer|title=Diversity Scorecard: How the Firms Rate|url=http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202657037862/Diversity-Scorecard-How-the-Firms-Rate?slreturn=20150502153310|accessdate=June 2, 2015|publisher=The American Lawyer|date=May 29, 2014}}</ref>

==Controversy==
In September 2007 the firm was dismissed by its client, [[Biovail Corporation]] after a Southern District Judge found Biovail Corp. had used legal documents in violation of a protection order.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/> The law firm denied knowledge of the protective order and was later rehired by Biovail.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/>

In December 2007, one of the firm's partners, Jeremy Pitcock, was fired for "extremely inappropriate personal conduct." Pitcock sued the firm for wrongful firing and defamation and the firm countered with a suit claiming Pitcock sexually harassed 12 female employees. A panel of the Appellate Division, dismissed both suits.<ref name="New York Law Journal Sept 2013"/>

A former associate filed a lawsuit against the firm in August 2011 alleging negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and wrongful termination. The suit's 2012 dismissal was upheld upon appeal.<ref>Weiss, Debra Cassens (January 23, 2013) [http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/associate_who_told_partners_of_his_superior_legal_mind_loses_appeal/%5d%5bCITE Associate Who Told Partners of His Superior Legal Mind Loses Appeal] ''ABA Journal''</ref><ref>[http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/id=1202585369244?slreturn=20140421172247 Pearson, Brendon (January 23, 2013) ''New York Law Journal'']</ref>

In October 2018, the firm was at the center of a fiery exchange between then-Senator [[Kamala Harris]] and then-US [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] nominee [[Brett Kavanaugh]] during his Senate hearing. Harris questioned Kavanaugh on whether he had spoken to any individuals employed at the firm about the ongoing [[Mueller special counsel investigation|Mueller investigation]], which at the time President [[Donald Trump|Trump]] was a personal client of the firm. It ultimately resulted in an unclear answer from Kavanaugh with lawmakers in the chamber struck at partisan odds over the appropriateness of the posed question.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsm1GPnlqmU| website=[[YouTube]] | title=Exchange between Sen. Harris and Judge Kavanaugh on Mueller Investigation (C-SPAN) }}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 01:32, 11 September 2024

Kasowitz Benson Torres
HeadquartersParamount Plaza
New York City
No. of offices9[1]
Major practice areasLitigation
Key peopleMarc Kasowitz, founder and managing partner[2]
Date founded1993
Company typeLimited liability partnership
Websitehttp://www.kasowitz.com/

Kasowitz, Benson & Torres is a New York law firm founded in 1993. It employs 350 lawyers and maintains offices in several states.[3] The firm focuses on product liability litigation, corporate, family and employment law, as well as intellectual property, bankruptcy and creditors' rights.[3] The firm's notable clients have included Donald Trump,[4] Robert De Niro, Celanese, ArvinMeritor, Liggett Group, Enron, WorldCom and Mia Farrow.

History

[edit]

Founding

[edit]

The firm was founded as Kasowitz, Hoff, Benson & Torres in 1993 when Marc Kasowitz left the Mayer Brown law firm with 18 other lawyers and two clients.[5] David M. Friedman joined in 1994 and became a name partner in May 1995 and the firm was renamed Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman.[6] William Bruce Hoff, Jr. left in November 1996.[7]

Expansion

[edit]

The firm began in New York City with 18 lawyers and after 6 months expanded to include a Houston branch office.[3][5] Friedman joined the firm in 1993 or 1994 and opened its bankruptcy practice.[5] In 1996 several new lawyers joined the firm to begin its employment and matrimonial practices.[5] It opened a New Jersey office in 1997, Atlanta in 2001[5] and in 2003 the firm opened a San Francisco office while former assistant district attorney, Leslie Crocker Snyder, joined the office in New York.[8] By 2004 the firm had increased to 160 lawyers and included an additional office in Atlanta.[5] The firm opened its Miami, Florida office in 2006 and expanded its San Francisco, California office in 2007 by merging with the seven lawyer firm, Topel & Goodman.[3] The 2005 launch of the intellectual property arm of the company led to several personnel changes with various key lawyers arriving and departing.[3] This included Peter J. Toren who left the intellectual property department in the spring of 2007.[3]

In 2009 the firm hired Marcos Daniel Jimenez, former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, to lead its Miami, Florida office[3] and added insurance recovery litigation to its practice.[9] In January 2010 the company added Robin Cohen and her insurance team from the firm, Dickstein Shapiro.[3]

In November 2012 the firm opened an additional office in Silicon Valley.[10] They opened a Los Angeles, California office in May 2013 led by partners that were lured away from Jenner & Block.[11][12] In June, former U.S. Senator, Joe Lieberman, joined the firm as Senior Counsel[13] and his former Senate Chief of Staff, Clarine Nardi Riddle launched a Government Affairs branch of the company in Washington D.C.[14] In October, two senior litigation attorneys from NBC Universal joined the firm's Los Angeles office to begin an entertainment litigation practice.[15]

In 2014, following the resolution of several large cases, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman laid off approximately 30 of its 350 attorneys.[16][17] In 2014, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman was ranked as the 119th largest firm in the United States by Law360.[18] In June, the firm was awarded the Chambers USA 2014 Award for Excellence.[19]

Notable clients and cases

[edit]

In 2003 the firm successfully opposed a chemical company called Celanese and won an asbestos lawsuit involving the auto parts supplier, ArvinMeritor.[5] They also overturned a $799 million punitive damages award levied against the Liggett cigarette company.[5]

In 2004 the company received the "largest toxic tort settlement in U.S. history" in a case involving one of Monsanto's company plants in Alabama.[5] By 2005 the firm had participated in the bankruptcy cases of Enron, WorldCom, Global Crossing and Adelphia Communications and the matrimonial proceedings for Robert De Niro, Donna Hanover and Mia Farrow.[5] The firm has represented Donald Trump since 2001.[20] In January 2006, the firm filed a defamation lawsuit (dismissed in 2009) on behalf of Donald Trump against the author and publisher of TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald.[21][22] In 2010 the firm's clients included Fortress Investment Group, Liggett Group, MBIA and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.[3] In 2016, the firm represented Harold Peerenboom of Toronto in an extended legal fight with his seasonal Palm Beach, Florida, neighbor, businessman Isaac Perlmutter.[23] In 2017, the firm had recently added the Russian Sberbank "in a case that accused it of conspiring to take over a Russian granite company".[24]

In 2020, the firm registered as a foreign agent with the US Department of Justice after representing Kiryat Sefer, an Israeli real estate developer that built the first neighborhood of the Modi'in Illit settlement.[25][26][27]

Administration

[edit]

The firm's main administration consists of the partners, Marc Kasowitz, Daniel Benson, Hector Torres and David Friedman and its executive committee consists of Kasowitz, Benson and Torres.[3] The company's average per partner profit was $2.9 million in 2004[5] and $2.1 million in 2009.[3] According to a 2004 article in American Lawyer the firm had a "diverse culture" featuring an exceptional number of young lawyers but fewer than the average number of women and minority employees.[5] In contrast, a 2014 a report by American Lawyer ranked the firms cultural diversity as 59th out of the 223 firms they evaluated.[28]

Controversy

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In September 2007 the firm was dismissed by its client, Biovail Corporation after a Southern District Judge found Biovail Corp. had used legal documents in violation of a protection order.[3] The law firm denied knowledge of the protective order and was later rehired by Biovail.[3]

In December 2007, one of the firm's partners, Jeremy Pitcock, was fired for "extremely inappropriate personal conduct." Pitcock sued the firm for wrongful firing and defamation and the firm countered with a suit claiming Pitcock sexually harassed 12 female employees. A panel of the Appellate Division, dismissed both suits.[3]

A former associate filed a lawsuit against the firm in August 2011 alleging negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and wrongful termination. The suit's 2012 dismissal was upheld upon appeal.[29][30]

In October 2018, the firm was at the center of a fiery exchange between then-Senator Kamala Harris and then-US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate hearing. Harris questioned Kavanaugh on whether he had spoken to any individuals employed at the firm about the ongoing Mueller investigation, which at the time President Trump was a personal client of the firm. It ultimately resulted in an unclear answer from Kavanaugh with lawmakers in the chamber struck at partisan odds over the appropriateness of the posed question.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "Offices". Kasowitz, Benson, Torres. kasowitz.com. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  2. ^ "Marc E. Kasowitz Archived December 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine". Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman. kasowitz.com. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Raymond, Nate (September 13, 2013). "Kasowitz Holds Power Close As He Grows Firm, Lures Business". New York Law Journal. Accessed June 27, 2014.
  4. ^ Cassens Weiss, Debra. "Meet Marc Kasowitz, the litigator who often represents Donald Trump". ABA Journal. American Bar Association. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Amon, Elizabeth (August 2004). "Fast Rise to the Top" (PDF). The American Lawyer. Incisive Media. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  6. ^ "Profiles/Executive Moves". Crain's New York Business. May 1, 1995.
  7. ^ William Bruce Hoff Jr.: Lawyer, model ship builder, dies Chicago Tribune
  8. ^ Unknown author, (September 2003) Supreme Court Justice Leslie Crocker Snyder Joins Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman Archived April 14, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Official web site
  9. ^ Lowe, Zach. "It's Official". Am Law Daily. AmLawDaily. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  10. ^ Staff Writer. "KBTF Open Office in Silicon Valley". JD Journal. JDJournal. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  11. ^ "Kasowitz Benson Poaches Two Partners, Sets Them Up in New LA Office". JDJournal.
  12. ^ Staff Writer (June 7, 2013). "Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman". Insurance Weekly News.
  13. ^ Unknown author, (June 6, 2013) Senator Joseph Lieberman Joins Kasowitz News, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP
  14. ^ News Reporter (June 5, 2013). "Kasowitz Opens DC Office with Clarine Nardi Riddle to Lead Government Affairs Practice". China Weekly News.
  15. ^ Johnson, Ted (October 2, 2013). "NBCU Legal Execs Joint Litigation Firm". Variety. Variety.
  16. ^ Simmons, Christine (February 21, 2014). "Kasowitz Layoffs Tied to End of Credit Crisis Cases". New York Law Journal.
  17. ^ Lat, David (February 10, 2014). "Nationwide Layoff Watch: Casualties At Kasowitz Benson". Above the Law.
  18. ^ Simpson, Jake, "Law360 Reveals 400 Largest US Law Firms" Law360
  19. ^ Staff Reporter (June 13, 2014) Kasowitz Insurance Policyholder Recovery Group Receives Chambers Award for Excellence, Insurance Weekly News
  20. ^ Morrow, Brendan (April 19, 2017). "Marc E. Kasowitz: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com.
  21. ^ "Trump Sues Writer and Book Publisher". The New York Times. January 25, 2006.
  22. ^ Goodman, Peter (July 15, 2009). "Trump Suit Claiming Defamation Is Dismissed". The New York Times.
  23. ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross, "Lurid Suit Over Hate Mail Embroils Isaac Perlmutter, Marvel Chief", New York Times Dealbook, March 7, 2016. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
  24. ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross, "Trump’s Lawyer, Marc Kasowitz: ‘The Toughest of the Tough Guys’", New York Times Dealbook, June 5, 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
  25. ^ "Registration Statement" (PDF). Foreign Agents Registration Act. US Department of Justice. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  26. ^ "Kiryat Sefer". Kiryat Sefer. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  27. ^ "Who Profits - The Israeli Occupation Industry - Kiryat Sefer". Who Profits. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  28. ^ Staff writer (May 29, 2014). "Diversity Scorecard: How the Firms Rate". The American Lawyer. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  29. ^ Weiss, Debra Cassens (January 23, 2013) Associate Who Told Partners of His Superior Legal Mind Loses Appeal ABA Journal
  30. ^ Pearson, Brendon (January 23, 2013) New York Law Journal
  31. ^ "Exchange between Sen. Harris and Judge Kavanaugh on Mueller Investigation (C-SPAN)". YouTube.
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