Litigation
Real Estate & Construction Litigation |
GWT’s substantial civil litigation practice is as varied as its clients. Included in those services are all areas of commercial litigation, with particular expertise in real estate and construction litigation, contract and loan disputes, employment litigation, and trust litigation. The firm has a wealth of experience in all aspects of business litigation, including preliminary relief such as restraining orders, attachments, and injunctions, alternative dispute resolution, trials in state and federal courts, and appeals.
When we are first retained, we carefully analyze our client’s goals and engage in an early case assessment to insure those goals are achieved in a cost-effective manner. We are mindful of the need to provide efficient representation taking into account both the risks and benefits of litigation. The firm appreciates that in most instances business litigation involves a business strategy and is viewed as an investment decision by our clients.
GWT’s litigators concentrate on efficiently, but aggressively, representing clients through every step of the litigation process. We consider the possibilities of alternative dispute resolution from the earliest stages, but remain prepared to try cases where necessary and appropriate. We have successfully defended and prosecuted claims as varied as those for unfair competition and misappropriation of trade secrets, commercial lease disputes, view preservation, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, will and trust contests, partnership dissolutions, fiduciary fraud, and construction defects. Our diverse experience in these and other areas contribute to the early and successful resolution of cases.
The firm’s litigation clients range from individuals to business entities, large and small. We have represented, among many others, manufacturing, retail, software, and construction companies; commercial, industrial, and residential real estate developers; medical professionals and their practice groups; banks and other financial institutions; private individuals; accountants; architects, engineers and builders; and trusts and estates.
Real Estate & Construction Litigation
GWT is widely regarded for its real estate expertise. We represent a broad range of clients, including commercial, industrial, and residential real estate developers, architects, contractors, owners and investors in office, residential and retail space, and tenants in office and retail properties. GWT’s real estate litigators capably prosecute and defend litigation in state and federal courts and before arbitration panels involving, among other matters, disputes arising from agreements for purchase and sale, financing, disputes among partners, shareholders or members of an entity or venture, contract and mechanic’s lien disputes, construction defect matters, ADA and timeshare claims, environmental matters, land use claims, and commercial landlord-tenant disputes. We enjoy an even more specialized reputation as counsel for shopping center owners, tenants and associations in all aspects of their real estate operations, including CAM and lease disputes.
Practicing Attorneys: Mr. Greenberg, Mr. Whitcombe, Mr. Worthge, Ms. Lamberg and Mr. Weinberger
Business Litigation
Our business litigation practice includes corporate, partnership and joint venture disputes. These matters often involve multiple claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unfair competition and frequently, an immediate need for preliminary relief, including injunctive relief. Resolution of these disputes may involve issues relating to corporate control, intricate valuations, complex fact patterns and theories of liability, and at times underlying concerns relating to insolvency, international law, or even criminal implications.
Practicing Attorneys: Mr. Greenberg, Mr. Whitcombe, Mr. Gibson, Ms. Lamberg, Mr. Grayver, and Mr. Weinberger
Employment Litigation
GWT’s employment lawyers take pride in their ability to guide our clients in minimizing their risk of employment litigation. When disputes become unavoidable, however, our litigators have the talent and expertise to defend employers aggressively and efficiently in all types of litigation and arbitration. Our practice focuses on defense of wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment claims, as well as assorted non-compete, trade secret, defamation, privacy, and wage disputes. Our employer clients run the gamut from medical practices, restaurants, real estate developers, and timeshare and resort operators, to local manufacturers and other service industries.
Practicing Attorneys: Mr. Greenberg, Ms. Lamberg, Mr. Grayver, and Mr. Weinberger
Probate, Estate, & Trust Litigation
Our lawyers provide skilled representation of fiduciaries, individual and charitable beneficiaries, and other parties involved in will and trust contests, accounting actions, and trust and will matters in which the meaning of an instrument or identity of a beneficiary are at issue. We have successfully enforced no-contest clauses, defended breach of fiduciary duty claims, resolved complicated accounting issues, and protected charitable beneficiaries.
Practicing Attorneys: Mr. Greenberg, Mr. Gibson, Ms. Lamberg, and Mr. Weinberger
Banking Litigation
GWT’s Banking Litigation Group represents national banks and other lenders in a variety of matters, including commercial lending disputes. When we have been engaged to recover assets, our representation has included application for preliminary remedies, including writs of attachment and appointment of a receiver, and when necessary and warranted, creditor representation in insolvency proceedings. We are seasoned in pursuing both judicial foreclosure and relief from the automatic stay. Whatever the project, we are always mindful of achieving cost-effective results, taking into account the financial status of the debtor.
Practicing Attorneys: Mr. Whitcombe, Mr. Gibson, Ms. Lamberg
Products Liability
Products liability is a complex and important issue confronting the manufacturing, retail, distribution and construction industries. While a significant amount of our products liability work relates to claims presented in the context of construction defect cases, we also represent manufacturers and distributors in products liability matters in varied industries ranging from the manufacture of bicycle parts to the distribution of medical gases.
Practicing Attorneys: Mr. Whitcombe, Mr. Worthge, and Mr. Weinberger
Arbitration and Mediation
Arbitration and mediation are the most common forms of alternative dispute resolution, and are often viewed as prompt and cost-effective ways of resolving traditional litigation matters. During the past several decades, many businesses and employers have selected arbitration as an alternative method for resolving commercial disputes, and arbitration and mediation have become almost commonplace in real estate, construction, and employment disputes. GWT’s lawyers consider the possibility of alternative dispute resolution from the earliest stages of each of their cases, but remain prepared to try cases where necessary and appropriate. All of GWT’s litigators are experienced in successfully resolving cases in these alternative forums.
Appellate Practice
GWT’s Appellate Practice Group defends victories and seeks relief for clients in both state and federal appellate courts. Because we typically handle our own appeals, as well as the appeal of matters tried by other counsel, we realize that a successful appeal begins with effective trial strategies, including preserving important issues for appeal. When necessary, we set the stage for our appeals by assisting with key pre- and post-trial motions. Our experienced and effective Appellate Practice Group spares our client the cost of sending out appeals to outside firms that must start from square one to develop familiarity with the trial record (and charge accordingly).
Practicing Attorneys: Mr. Greenberg, Mr. Grayver, and Mr. Weinberger
