William A. Isaacson

Partner
Washington, DC

t: 202 237 5607
f: 202 237 6131

wisaacson@bsfllp.com

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Areas of Practice

Litigation

International Arbitration

Education

University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1986; Order of the Coif; Margaret G. Hyde Award

University of Redlands, B.A., Political Science & English, 1982; National Debate Tournament Finalist (1982)

Clerkships

Hon. Harrison L. Winter, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1986-1987

Admissions

District of Columbia

Since joining the firm at its inception in 1997, Bill Isaacson's main practice areas have included complex commercial litigation and class actions, and arbitration.

In the area of plaintiff class actions, Legal 500.com describes Mr. Isaacson as a "key litigator" at BSF who "has emerged as the leader on the foreign antitrust front." For example, Mr. Isaacson has acted as trial counsel for class plaintiffs in Animal Science Products v. Mitsui & Co. (D.D.C.), an international cartel case, resulting in a jury verdict for the class of $49.5 million (before trebling) (National Law Journal, August 4, 2003 p. 13) and In re Scrap Metal Antitrust Litigation (N.D.Ohio) winning a jury verdict of $11.5 million before trebling. Mr. Isaacson also has acted as a Steering Committee Member in In re Vitamins Antitrust Litigation in which the firm uncovered an international conspiracy and represented purchasers of a range of vitamins in pursuing price fixing and market allocation claims ("Not Your Father's Class Action," National Law Journal, June 7, 1999, p.A5), resulting in an over $1 billion in settlements. In addition, Mr. Isaacson has filed the first class actions uncovering cartels in China responsible for exporting products to the United States, including the vitamin C industry. Mr. Isaacson is currently lead counsel for the direct purchaser class in In re Graphic Processing Units Antitrust Litigation (N.D. Cal.).

In the field of arbitration, Legal 500.com explains that "clients and peers agree that the two partners [Schiller and Isaacson] working in international arbitration are well equipped to handle major, complex cases." For example, Mr. Isaacson has acted as lead counsel in proceedings in the Southern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit to enforce an international arbitration award under the New York Convention resulting in a $261 million judgment which was affirmed on appeal. Karaha Bodas Co., L.L.C. v. Perusahaan Pertambangan Minyak Dan Gas Bumi Negara, 364 F.3d 274 (5th Cir. 2004); American Lawyer, 2005 Arbitration Scorecard. Mr. Isaacson also acted as lead trial counsel for Claimant Homestore v. AOL (AAA Arbitration/Washington D.C.) asserting claims for breach of contract arising out of an internet distribution agreement. Following a two week trial and before a final award, the parties entered a settlement agreement restructuring the distribution agreement and terminating a $57 million payment due from Homestore and reducing future payments by $9 million per quarter. (Fair Disclosure Wire, January 9, 2003). Mr. Isaacson has acted as trial counsel for Respondent in Marketing Company v. Telecommunications Company (AAA arbitration/ New York) in which Claimant was denied its request for $30 million in lost profits.

Mr. Isaacson also has acted as counsel in Worldspan v. Abacus (ICC Arbitration / London) (following a three week trial in 1999, a 300 page Award in August 2000 found for Claimant Worldspan on claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, misappropriation of confidential information and conspiracy and awarded $39.5 million); Kuwait Oil Company & UK Oil Company v. UK Oil Company et al. (LCIA Arbitration/London) (following an arbitration in London and Kuwait, an arbitration award in December 2000 affirmed Claimant's contractual equity interest in billion barrel oil fields at issue, and awarded fees and costs to Claimants); Shandling v. Grey (representing comedian Garry Shandling against his former manager for breach of fiduciary duty through to settlement following a decision denying a motion for summary adjudication, see "Shandling Claims Get New Life in a Stunning Reversal," Variety June 23, 1999, p. 1).

Mr. Isaacson is member of the Advisory Board for Legal Counsel for the Elderly and has lectured at Georgetown University Law School and made presentations and conducted mock trials at ABA seminars and meetings. Based on its own surveys, the publication Super Lawyers listed Mr. Isaacson as a D.C. Super Lawyer for 2008.

Selected Publications

Antifederalism Revisited, 21 University of Toledo Law Review 147 (Fall 1989)