Harry Susman is a trusted trial lawyer who regularly secures winning judgements and verdicts for his clients. He tries complex cases for plaintiffs and defendants throughout the country. Harry has been recognized consistently by leading legal publications and researchers for his winning litigation work. With a rare distinction of being a former United States Supreme Court clerk, Harry has the best academic and legal credentials, but more importantly, he is a powerful and charismatic courtroom lawyer. For example, When a group of federal judges needed a lawyer to represent a class consisting of all federal judges seeking a pay raise, they turned to Harry in Sarah Evans Barker et al. v. United States 1:12-cv-00826. (U.S. Claims Court).
Harry’s success as a trial lawyer is evidenced in the significant cases he brings to and wins at trial and arbitration. Some of Harry’s notable wins include:
- After intervening in the SEC’s action against digital music streaming service, Akazoo, securing $35 million settlement on behalf of a group of PIPE and SPAC investors over allegations that Akazoo defrauded them and lied about business prospects both before and after its 2019 special purpose acquisition company merger. The group represented by Susman Godfrey in the matter was awarded $30.1 million of the settlement.
- Serving as lead trial lawyer in an arbitration defending a group of private equity firms against a $20 million securities fraud claim.
- Serving as lead trial lawyer in an arbitration on behalf of a group of oil and gas investors in a project in Papua New Guinea; after the hearing, the case was resolved.
- Winning a $73.5 million judgment before the Delaware Chancery Court as co-lead trial lawyer representing Wellstat Therapeutics; the judgment that was affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court.
- Invalidating an amended will on behalf of Ellen and Margaret Cotter that determined control over Reading International.
- Defending Water Exploration Limited and Dean Davenport in a breach of contract case where plaintiffs sought over $40 million. As lead trial counsel, Harry received a defense verdict after month-long trial.
- Winning a favorable summary judgement on behalf of OppenheimerFunds in case involving various structure finance vehicles in which plaintiffs sought almost $2 billion in damages. The judgement was later affirmed on appeal.
- Securing a favorable settlement for the Attorney General of Mississippi, Jim Hood, in his long-running dispute with Microsoft alleging violations of the Mississippi Consumer Protection Act. After the case settled, General Hood announced that the settlement was worth in excess of $100 million.
- Represented Tequila Herradura, the largest tequila manufacturer in Mexico, in a dispute with its United States distributor in a high stakes arbitration. Shortly after receiving the arbitration decision, Herradura was able to sell itself for almost $800 million.
Updated Oct 2024
