Prominent Business Trial Lawyers Announce New Firm

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 6, 2015… Nationally known trial lawyers John Hueston and Brian Hennigan today announced the formation of a new law firm focusing on high-stakes civil litigation and white collar defense. 

Hueston and Hennigan leave litigation powerhouse Irell & Manella, where they were partners and chairs of the Business Trials and Crisis Management practice and White Collar Defense practice. This trial-tested group will be uniquely focused on all facets of bet-the-company matters: civil litigation, both plaintiff and defense, and regulatory and white collar matters.

They are joined by an all-star group of departing Irell partners, including Marshall Camp, Alison Plessman, Moez Kaba and Doug Dixon, and by Alexander Giza, most recently a partner at Russ, August & Kabat.

“We intend to build a leading, national trial and litigation law firm, focusing on high-stakes civil and white collar cases, but with a significant commitment to pro bono and public impact matters,” said Hennigan, who will serve as the firm’s first managing partner. Hueston, a former lead Enron prosecutor, agreed. “This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to create a focused, national trial practice with the best lawyers I know,” said Hueston.

Hennigan and Hueston emphasized that they have the highest regard for their former colleagues at Irell & Manella, which they expect to remain a leading firm.

News of the new firm was greeted enthusiastically by clients and prominent members of the bar. 

Steve Zipperstein, General Counsel at BlackBerry Ltd., said "Hueston and Hennigan are two of the nation's top trial lawyers and legal strategists. They deliver superb results cost-effectively, while providing world class, highly responsive client service.  They are widely admired and respected by judges and lawyers across the country.  They are a General Counsel's Dream Team." 

Melissa Scanlan, Senior Director for Litigation and Antitrust at T-Mobile USA Inc., said "Hueston and his team are an ideal choice for the toughest cases; the combined, concentrated trial talent of Hueston Hennigan makes this firm a top shelf litigation choice for virtually any high risk, complex matter. This move will enable this team to be more nimble and better able to focus on what really matters to clients - solving their most complex problems efficiently and effectively."

"They will be a national powerhouse competing with firms like Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Keker & Van Nest LLP, and Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP," said Peter Zeughauser with Zeughauser Group who advises law firms on strategy. "The boutique structure allows them a little more freedom to pursue the types of cases they want to."