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Biography
A. William Urquhart joined the firm in 1988. He began his career at the New York law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Mr. Urquhart specializes in complex business litigation. These matters range from class actions to theft of trade secrets cases. He has been named "One of California's Most Successful Business Lawyers" by California Law Business, named "One of the Most Influential Attorneys in California" by The Los Angeles Daily Journal, chosen as one of the "Outstanding Trial Lawyers of America," by Chambers, U.S.A., chosen as a "Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine, and listed as one of the world's leading litigators in the Euromoney Guide to the World's Leading International Law Firms.
Representative Clients
Obtained a $23+ million verdict for an aerospace company in a breach of contract/misappropriation of trade secret matter before London Court of International Arbitrators.
Obtained a $15 million settlement from a financial advisor in a fraud case even though our client warranted it was not relying upon the advisor's opinion.
On behalf of Superior National obtained a $137 million settlement from Health Net, on the eve of trial, arising out of alleged fraud in connection with the sale of several insurance companies.
Tried and won two class actions.
Resolved seven class actions for a major financial institution, with no cost for settlement or judgment.
Obtained dismissal of seven class actions filed against Northrop-Grumman arising out of the failure of then Northrop's merger with Lockheed to close.
Obtained summary judgment for Hughes Electronics in a class action brought by minority shareholders arising out of Hughes settlement with Echostar after its merger with Hughes failed.
Obtained an injunction barring the allocation of losses as a result of defaults by major California utilities.
Obtained summary judgment in a class action, the appeal of which established the California rule limiting bondholders' rights to those provided by contract.
Obtained settlements of several shareholder derivative actions at no cost to company or directors.
Obtained a $25 million settlement for a manufacturing company after court granted judgment based on a finding of literal infringement of two patents.
Obtained dismissal of a $40 million breach of warranty lawsuit against a large computer company.
Obtained dismissal of a $100 million suit against an entertainment company in which plaintiff alleged the company stole trade secrets regarding computerized animation.
Obtained a $6.5 million verdict for a manufacturer in a dispute concerning post-closing adjustments following the sale of a business.
Obtained a defense verdict for a mortgage lender in a Lanham Act passing off suit.
Obtained a $20+ million settlement of a misappropriation of trade secrets case after obtaining a preliminary injunction.
Both obtained and resisted temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions in numerous cases involving recruitment of employees by competitors.
Obtained favorable settlements in a number of multi-million dollar business disputes without resort to litigation or arbitration.
Notable Representations
Obtained a $23+ million verdict for an aerospace company in a breach of contract/misappropriation of trade secret matter before London Court of International Arbitrators.
Obtained a $15 million settlement from a financial advisor in a fraud case even though our client warranted it was not relying upon the advisor's opinion.
On behalf of Superior National obtained a $137 million settlement from Health Net, on the eve of trial, arising out of alleged fraud in connection with the sale of several insurance companies.
Tried and won two class actions.
Resolved seven class actions for a major financial institution, with no cost for settlement or judgment.
Obtained dismissal of seven class actions filed against Northrop-Gruman arising out of the failure of then Northrop's merger with Lockheed to close.
Obtained summary judgement for Hughes Electronics in a class action brought by minority shareholders arising out of Hughes settlement with Echostar after its merger with Hughes failed.
Obtained an injunction barring the allocation of losses as a result of defaults by major California utilities.
Obtained summary judgment in a class action, the appeal of which established the California rule limiting bondholders' rights to those provided by contract.
Obtained settlements of several shareholder derivative actions at no cost to company or directors.
Obtained a $25 million settlement for a manufacturing company after court granted judgment based on a finding of literal infringement of two patents.
Obtained dismissal of a $40 million breach of warranty lawsuit against a large computer company.
Obtained dismissal of a $100 million suit against an entertainment company in which plaintiff alleged the company stole trade secrets regarding computerized animation.
Obtained a $6.5 million verdict for a manufacturer in a dispute concerning post-closing adjustments following the sale of a business.
Obtained a defense verdict for a mortgage lender in a Lanham Act passing off suit.
Obtained a $20+ million settlement of a misappropriation of trade secrets case after obtaining a preliminary injunction.
Both obtained and resisted temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions in numerous cases involving recruitment of employees by competitors.
Obtained favorable settlements in a number of multi-million dollar business disputes without resort to litigation or arbitration.
