BSF partner Stuart Singer was named Litigator of the Week by the American Lawyer’s Litigation Daily after winning at the Fifth Circuit for client Greenberg Traurig.
The investor plaintiffs argued that Greenberg was responsible for their losses in the Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme. Singer prevailed at the district court level, successfully arguing that an attorney is immune from civil suits brought by a non-client when the conduct at issue occurred within the scope of the attorney’s representation of a client. But on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the plaintiffs insisted that the scope of such immunity is limited to a litigation setting. Singer convinced the appellate panel that it is broader, and also applies to banking, corporate, regulatory and other work.
“There is a special responsibility—and privilege—when you represent a law firm as a client. You are dealing not only with substantial sums of money but also defending lawyers’ work and reputation,” Singer said in an interview with the American Lawyer. “It is easier when, as here, you have a legally sophisticated client who not only understands but can actively contribute to defense of the case. It has been one of the best experiences in my career over the past decade to defend professional liability matters,” he said.