Our Practice
Sutherland has approximately 425 lawyers, one-fourth of whom dedicate their practices to business litigation. One of the firm's most important areas of litigation is its representation of accounting firms and law firms. Our professional liability practice is unparalleled in the Southeast and includes the firm's most experienced trial lawyers. Our clients include the six largest accounting firms in the United States, as well as regional and local accounting firms, international affiliates of U.S. accounting firms, and national, regional and local law firms.
Over the past 25 years, we have represented accounting firms in hundreds of matters, including more than 50 major cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States. These matters include securities fraud class actions; federal and state RICO actions; professional liability claims; bankruptcy and other insolvency proceedings and investigations; SEC and Department of Justice investigations; other state and federal regulatory proceedings; state licensing board investigations and hearings; criminal investigations; and other high-stakes, complex business litigation. We have represented accounting firms with respect to virtually every category of engagement, including audit and assurance, tax and consulting services, in cases involving sub-prime lending, banking, health care, insurance, manufacturing, distribution, retail, internet, real estate limited partnerships, REITs, computer software, leasing, and other industries.
We have also represented law firms in a variety of disputes ranging from legal malpractice and fraud actions, to securities arbitrations and to claims under workers’ compensation statutes. Our work for law firms includes cases in state and federal courts in Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Hawaii, both individual and class actions, and arbitrations.
Our Resources
Our representation of accountants and lawyers is handled by a core group of lawyers with extensive experience trying professional liability and other cases. Our attorneys include former federal prosecutors and Department of Justice attorneys, as well as former senior attorneys of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. Because of our familiarity with the accounting profession, accounting and auditing literature, and the substantive law applicable to accountants, our "learning curve" on new accountants' liability matters is minimal, allowing us to assess and defend cases efficiently. Our comprehensive in-house program ensures that our lawyers are up-to-date on issues affecting accountants’ and attorneys’ liability litigation.
The partners in our professional liability group are complemented by outstanding lawyers at all levels of seniority, who have been recruited from the upper ranks of the best law schools in the country and who are trained to be effective and efficient litigators. Our lawyers are supported by a highly skilled staff of paralegals who are experienced in working with complex, document-intensive cases and accountants' working papers, both electronic and hard copy. We also take full advantage of technological developments that enable us to manage complex litigation and to develop and present our clients’ cases more efficiently.
Our Experience
Read highlights of representative litigation matters that we have handled for our accounting firm and law firm clients.
© 2013 Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
