A. William Urquhart joined the firm in 1988 after practicing in New York for a decade. Mr. Urquhart splits his time between the firm’s Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices. Mr. Urquhart specializes in complex business disputes. These matters range from high-stakes international arbitrations to class actions. He also has run numerous internal investigations for companies, their directors and special committees prompted by government investigations by the SEC, DoJ, FTC, CFTA, whistleblowers and shareholder actions.
He has been named "One of California's Most Successful Business Lawyers" multiple times 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 USA. He is listed as one of the world's leading litigators in the Euromoney Guide to the World's Leading International Law Firms and a recommended IP lawyer by Chambers Global. Ranked as a leading California litigator by Chambers USA every year since its first publication, he has been called "exceptionally bright" (Chambers Global), a "forceful trial lawyer" who "commands a strong reputation in the litigation arena" (Chambers USA) and a "litigation celebrity" (Vault 100 Guide). Benchmark Plaintiff Litigation 2012 has also recognized Mr. Urquhart as a “National Intellectual Property Litigation Star” and a “Local Litigation Star” for California Antitrust, Class Action, Intellectual Property, and Securities as well as being selected as a SuperLawyer for over 16 years. He has been a highly-recommended key player in the Dispute Resolution space, particularly in General Commercial Disputes, International Arbitration and International Litigation, as exemplified by his inclusion in The Legal 500 United Sates 2018 Edition. Since 2006, The Best Lawyers in America has recognized Mr. Urquhart for his work in the Commercial and Bet-the-Company Litigation markets.
- On behalf of a leading mutual fund, obtained dismissal of a class action alleging the client invested in illegal gambling operations.
- On behalf of a Jordanian entrepreneur obtained a $2 billion contract in settlement of three ICSID arbitrations against Egypt.
- Obtained a $100+ million award for an aerospace company in a breach of contract/misappropriation of trade secret matter before London Court of International Arbitration.
- On behalf of a global telecommunications company, successfully resolved what was then the largest IP dispute in U.S. history acting as lead world-wide counsel in 18 separate litigations and three international arbitrations around the world.
- On behalf of a major defense contractor secured dismissal of charges by the SEC.
- On behalf of a major office supply company secured dismissal of price fixing charges by DoJ.
- On behalf of Dubai World, obtained a defense verdict from a Florida jury in a case brought by a former employee who alleged fraud, abuse of process and defamation and secured a judgment for Dubai World on a counterclaim.
- On behalf of Dubai World, resolved dispute with joint venture partner MGM over the funding of the CityCenter, one of the largest privately funded projects in U.S. history.
- Advised Dubai World in connection with the aftermath of the Emirate of Dubai's announcement that it would not guarantee Dubai World's debts.
- On behalf of Dubai Ports World obtained a $37 million settlement in a dispute with the Republic of Yemen.
- On behalf of Superior National, obtained a $152 million settlement from Health Net, on the eve of trial, arising out of alleged fraud in connection with the sale of several insurance companies.
- 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.
- 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 seventeen 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 among contributors to a solvency fund arising out 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 the 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 the 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.
- Antitrust & Competition
- Lender Liability & Other Banking Financial Institution Litigation
- Class Action Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Domestic U.S. Arbitration
- Energy Sector Disputes
- Entertainment & Media Litigation
- Government Contracts Litigation
- Securities Litigation
- Investigations, Government Enforcement & White Collar Criminal Defense Practice
- Trade Secret Litigation
- Middle East & North Africa Practice
- International Trade Commission Proceedings
- International Arbitration
- Fordham Law School
(J.D., cum laude, 1977)- Fordham Law Review
- Fordham Law Review
- Fordham College
(B.A., 1969)
- The State Bar of California
- The State Bar of New York
- The District of Columbia Bar
- United States Courts of Appeals:
- Second Circuit
- Ninth Circuit
- United States District Courts:
- Southern District of New York
- Eastern District of New York
- Central District of California
- United States Tax Court
- Selected as a SuperLawyer, 2004-2013, 2015-2018
- Speaker/Lecturer, Price Waterhouse Intellectual Property Forum
- University of Southern California Business Forum
- Various PLI Seminars on Complex Business Litigation
- Member, American Bar Association:
- Class Action and Derivative Suits Committee
- Securities Litigation Committee
- Patent , Trademark and Copyright Law Section
- Antitrust Law Section
- Public Contract Law Section
- Litigation Section
- Member, The State Bars of California and New York:
- Intellectual Property Section
- Litigation Section