Tom A. Paskowitz

Tom’s representative matters include:

Securities Litigation:

• Defense of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and affiliated entities and individuals in numerous actions alleging misrepresentations and omissions in connection with offerings of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
• Defense of JPMorgan Securities LLC in two qui tam false claims actions alleging violations of state law in connection with the sale and marketing of municipal bonds.
• Representation of CNO Financial Group, Inc. and its officers and directors against a class action alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Engagements for Chinese clients:

• Defense of major Chinese oil company and affiliates in a US$1 billion AAA arbitration involving breach of contract claims in connection with an oil field development project.
• Represented Petrochina Company Ltd., a major state-owned oil company, and its officers against a class action alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (motion to dismiss granted and upheld on appeal).
• Represented The China National Offshore Oil Corporation, a major state-owned offshore oil company, and its officers against a class action alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (motion to dismiss granted and upheld on appeal).
• Represented the China Life Insurance Company (secured dismissal with prejudice) in a class action alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 stemming from the Company’s 2003 IPO, the world’s largest IPO in 2003.
• Represented China Valves Technology, Inc. in a class action alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
• Represented Duoyuan Printing and its officers and directors in a class action alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
• Represented the Audit Committee of a Chinese company in an SEC investigation and related civil action.
• Representing C-Suite executive of Chinese company in an SEC investigation and related civil action.

Antitrust Litigation:

• Defense of a major payment card issuer in consolidated antitrust actions brought by putative class of all U.S. merchants, as well as significant opt-out actions by large merchant plaintiffs.
• Defense of a global financial institution in multi-district litigation involving direct and putative class claims alleging price-fixing and manipulation of the LIBOR benchmark.
• Defense of a leading manufacturer of caustic soda in class action cases brought by direct and indirect purchasers claiming it participated in a price-fixing and supply reduction conspiracy.
• Defense of a major investment bank in consolidated antitrust action concerning credit default swaps.
• Defense of major publishing house in antitrust class action litigation brought by brick-and-mortar bookstores alleging violations of the federal antitrust laws in connection with the market for the sale of e-books.
• Defense of major daily newspaper in antitrust and fraud actions alleging that the newspaper granted preferential, highly discounted advertising rates to a “preferred” group of dealers, in exchange for agreements to discontinue a competing automobile advertising publication and to advertise exclusively in the defendant’s newspaper.

Commercial Disputes:

• Defense of the Options Clearing Corporation in an adversary proceeding related to Lehman bankruptcy and other civil actions alleging violations of the OCC’s rules.
• Defense of EMI Music in action alleging tortious interference with employment contract (secured dismissal with prejudice).
• Defense of major hedge fund in litigation seeking enforcement of guaranties in connection with various real estate investments.
• Defense of major hedge fund in litigation over a joint venture to own and operate aircraft.
• Defense of Fortunoff LLC in various adversary proceedings related to Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.
• Defense of major telecommunications company in AAA arbitration involving breach of contract claims.

Regulatory Investigations and Internal Investigations:

• Represented major financial institution in investigations by the DOJ and the European Commission regarding swap trading.
• Conducted internal investigation re: allegations of related-party dealings at Singapore branch of major pharmaceutical corporation.
• Conducted litigation risk analysis re: life settlement portfolio for major financial institution.

Tom maintains an active pro bono practice, including:

• Representing individuals in divorce and family court actions, including custody, child support, visitation, and order of protection proceedings
• Representing individuals seeking asylum in the United States in both affirmative and court proceedings
• Representing an author in a dispute regarding royalties
• Representing at trial an inmate who claimed to have been beaten when arrested in a Section 1983 excessive force case

Tom is a member of:

• The board of directors of Lower East Side Family Union, a non-profit organization that provides community-based services and family support to prevent foster care placement
• Sidley’s eDiscovery and Data Analytics group (and publisher of Sidley’s Notable Cases and Events in E-Discovery)
• The New York City Bar Association
• The New York State Bar Association