Celebrated boutique Hecker Fink has earned itself a pride of place in the crowded New York litigation market. Peers and clients stand united in their reverence for the firm and appreciation for its structure and operations. “They’re a firm that’s at the tips of our tongues if there’s a trial that it wouldn’t make sense for us to do,” testifies a peer. “If they can handle it, it goes to them. I know a lot of people who are coming out of the government are excited about the prospect of working there.” The firm is also noted for keeping its eye on cultivating the future levels of talent. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the momentum behind
David Gopstein, who made his debut as a future star in the last edition of Benchmark and has already made a swift ascent to litigation star only a year later on the strength of plaudits from various corners of the market. One peer insists, “David is definitely someone you need to look into!” A client raves, “David is an elite writer, a gifted oralist, and a better person. He is especially skilled at trials and in oral arguments before US Courts of Appeals.” Another extols, “David is smart, creative and responsive. His approach is client centered, and he seeks to provide the best results for the situation.”
Shawn Crowley makes her debut in this edition on the strength of client praise. “Shawn is exceptionally intelligent and great with clients. She also has a great way with people generally.” The firm also benefited from the addition of
Damaris Hernández, a young star formerly with Cravath.
Michael Ferarra and Sean Hecker are two stars of the white-collar bar. “Mike Ferrara and Sean Hecker are two people that I would call if I was in the crosshairs,” declares a peer, going on to quip, “Who doesn’t love Sean Hecker?” A client calls Hecker “a smart, responsive, creative lawyer,” and addresses Ferrara as “a strategic thinker with excellent legal and advocacy skills.” One peer also insist, “Everyone knows Sean but you have to give more notice to
Jenna Dabbs – she’s also terrific.” Dabbs, along with debut future star
Kate Doniger, represents Amentum, formerly known as AECOM Government Services, in a False Claims Act lawsuit, alleging false labor billing on a contract AECOM and related entities performed for the US Government in Afghanistan. Following a 2020 motion to dismiss and appeal, the Second Circuit subsequently affirmed the dismissal of most of the claims, and the parties engaged in fact and expert discovery on the remaining claim. In the fall of 2024, the Court converted the motion to dismiss to one for summary judgment and, after motion practice, granted summary judgment in AECOM’s favor. Dabbs also acted with DC-based
Joshua Matz representing a plaintiff in his suit against the President and other Administration officials challenging as unlawful his purported removal from office as the Special Counsel of the US Office of the Special Counsel. While the plaintiff ultimately lost this case, the firm was able to secure him a month in office after the President purported to fire him. During that month, the obtained reinstatement for nearly 6000 unlawfully terminated federal employees. Dellinger’s restoration to office after the President purported to remove him was groundbreaking, and the case was the first against the Administration to reach the Supreme Court in the President’s second term. Matz is cheered by a client as “outstanding, brilliant, hard working and compassionate.”
