Led by one of the country's premier Supreme Court advocates, the Paul, Weiss Supreme Court and Appellate Practice regularly handles high-profile cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal and state appellate courts. Our lawyers have secured victories in some of the most important business and public interest cases of our time.
Kannon Shanmugam Awarded Honorary Doctor of Law from University of South Carolina
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was presented with an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Honorary degrees are the most significant recognition conferred by the university’s board of trustees, signaling exceptional professional and legal acumen practicing law before the highest U.S. courts, pro bono service on behalf of cases at the heart of judicial fairness, and a stalwart commitment to the ideals of jurisprudence.
In the virtual commencement speech, Kannon advised graduates not to think of their careers as a linear ladder, but rather as a rock climbing wall in which there are various paths to one’s intended destination. “Always bet on yourself, and don’t be afraid to go against the grain,” Kannon advised. “The obvious choice is not always the right one.”
Kannon also reminded graduates that “hard work is what distinguishes the merely good lawyers from the truly great ones.” Intelligence or experience alone are not enough—especially in a profession populated by very intelligent and experienced practitioners. “My process for preparing for my 29th Supreme Court argument this fall will look much the same as my process preparing for my first argument… with a lot of late nights and weekends,” Kannon observed.
Events & Publications
Second Circuit Review: SCOTUS Overrules Second Circuit on COVID-19 and Religious Worship
- Dec 22, 2020
- Publications
Second Circuit Review: SCOTUS Overrules Second Circuit on COVID-19 and Religious Worship
Litigation of counsel Martin Flumenbaum and firm chairman Brad Karp’s latest Second Circuit Review column, “SCOTUS Overrules Second Circuit on COVID-19 and Religious Worship,” appeared in the December 22 issue of the New York Law…
Kannon Shanmugam Featured on Bloomberg Law Podcast
- Dec 18, 2020
- Publications
Kannon Shanmugam Featured on Bloomberg Law Podcast
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was interviewed on Bloomberg Law’s “Cases and Controversies” podcast.
Kannon Shanmugam and Paul, Weiss Featured in The American Lawyer for Securing More Than 10% of SCOTUS Cert Grants This Year
- Dec 17, 2020
- Publications
Kannon Shanmugam and Paul, Weiss Featured in The American Lawyer for Securing More Than 10% of SCOTUS Cert Grants This Year
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam and the Paul, Weiss Supreme Court & Appellate practice group were featured in the December 17 edition of The American Lawyer Litigation Daily.
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in Original Jurisdiction for His 30th Supreme Court Argument
- Dec 09, 2020
- Publications
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in Original Jurisdiction for His 30th Supreme Court Argument
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was featured in an article, “What's it Like to Argue Before the Supreme Court — for the 30th Time?” published on December 9 by David Lat’s Original Jurisdiction.
Mark Alcott Publishes Op-Ed in New York Law Journal
- Oct 30, 2020
- Publications
Mark Alcott Publishes Op-Ed in New York Law Journal
Litigation of counsel Mark Alcott published an op-ed in the New York Law Journal, “How to Reform the Supreme Court Without Destroying It.”
Second Circuit Review: Court Affirms Grand Jury Subpoena for President
- Oct 28, 2020
- Publications
Second Circuit Review: Court Affirms Grand Jury Subpoena for President
Litigation of counsel Martin Flumenbaum and firm chairman Brad Karp’s latest Second Circuit Review column, “Court Affirms Grand Jury Subpoena for President,” appeared in the October 28 issue of the New York Law Journal.
Jennifer H. Wu Participates in Federal Circuit Bar Association’s “NextGen Appellate Advocacy” Panel
- Oct 13, 2020
- Events
Jennifer H. Wu Participates in Federal Circuit Bar Association’s “NextGen Appellate Advocacy” Panel
Litigation partner Jennifer H. Wu participated in a panel, “NextGen Appellate Advocacy,” hosted by the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Mock Argument Committee.
Second Circuit Review: The Second Circuit in the Supreme Court
- Sep 25, 2020
- Publications
Second Circuit Review: The Second Circuit in the Supreme Court
Litigation of counsel Martin Flumenbaum and firm chairman Brad Karp’s latest Second Circuit Review column, “The Second Circuit in the Supreme Court,” appeared in the September 22 issue of the New York Law Journal.
Kannon Shanmugam Interviewed by NLJ About His Supreme Court Victory Concerning the Constitutionality of the CFPB
- Aug 27, 2020
- Publications
Kannon Shanmugam Interviewed by NLJ About His Supreme Court Victory Concerning the Constitutionality of the CFPB
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was interviewed by The National Law Journal about Paul, Weiss’ role in the landmark Supreme Court decision on June 29 in Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Two Leading Trial Lawyers Join Paul, Weiss
- Jul 31, 2020
- Firm News
Two Leading Trial Lawyers Join Paul, Weiss
Meredith Dearborn and Jessica Phillips, two talented trial lawyers, are joining the firm as partners in the Litigation Department.
Supreme Court to Determine Whether FTC Can Obtain Monetary Restitution in Federal Court
- Jul 20, 2020
- Publications
Supreme Court to Determine Whether FTC Can Obtain Monetary Restitution in Federal Court
On July 9, the Supreme Court granted review in AMG Capital v. Federal Trade Commission and Federal Trade Commission v. Credit Bureau Center to decide whether a federal court can award monetary relief in the form of restitution in an…
Kentucky Supreme Court Dismisses $50 Billion Derivative Action Against Hedge Fund Managers for Lack of Standing
- Jul 14, 2020
- Publications
Kentucky Supreme Court Dismisses $50 Billion Derivative Action Against Hedge Fund Managers for Lack of Standing
Paul, Weiss obtains dismissal of $50 billion derivative action brought by beneficiaries of the Kentucky Retirement System against hedge fund managers and others. In a unanimous ruling, the Kentucky Supreme Court held that plaintiffs…
Supreme Court Holds That CFPB’s Structure Is Unconstitutional
- Jul 01, 2020
- Publications
Supreme Court Holds That CFPB’s Structure Is Unconstitutional
In Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Supreme Court recently held that the structure of the CFPB violates the constitutional separation of powers. One of the most important separation-of-powers cases in recent…
Supreme Court Upholds the SEC’s Authority to Seek Disgorgement in Civil Actions, But Imposes Important Limiting Principles
- Jun 25, 2020
- Publications
Supreme Court Upholds the SEC’s Authority to Seek Disgorgement in Civil Actions, But Imposes Important Limiting Principles
The Supreme Court held on June 22 that the SEC may seek disgorgement in enforcement actions, as long as the disgorgement does not exceed a wrongdoer’s net profits and is to be awarded for victims.
Supreme Court to Determine the Effect of a Carve-Out Provision on an Agreement to Arbitrate Questions of Arbitrability
- Jun 24, 2020
- Publications
Supreme Court to Determine the Effect of a Carve-Out Provision on an Agreement to Arbitrate Questions of Arbitrability
The Supreme Court agreed on June 15 to determine whether, under the Federal Arbitration Act, a provision in an arbitration agreement exempting certain claims from the scope of the agreement negates a provision clearly delegating…
U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Title VII Prohibits Sexual-Orientation and Transgender Discrimination
- Jun 23, 2020
- Publications
U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Title VII Prohibits Sexual-Orientation and Transgender Discrimination
In Bostock v. Clayton County, the U.S. Supreme Court recently held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or transgender…
Kannon Shanmugam Participates in NJIPLA Patent Litigation Webinar
- Jun 16, 2020
- Events
Kannon Shanmugam Participates in NJIPLA Patent Litigation Webinar
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was a featured speaker in a webinar, “Patent Cases at the Supreme Court: From Petitions to CVSGs to Arguments, and Everything in Between,” hosted by the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law…
Trial Lawyers Karen Dunn and Bill Isaacson Join Paul, Weiss
- Jun 11, 2020
- Firm News
Trial Lawyers Karen Dunn and Bill Isaacson Join Paul, Weiss
Bill Isaacson and Karen Dunn have joined the firm as partners in the Litigation Department, resident in the Washington, D.C. office. Both are nationally recognized trial lawyers who have tried and won numerous high-stakes cases for…
U.S. Supreme Court Limits Standing for ERISA Plan Participants to Sue for Breach of Fiduciary Duties
- Jun 11, 2020
- Publications
U.S. Supreme Court Limits Standing for ERISA Plan Participants to Sue for Breach of Fiduciary Duties
In Thole v. U.S. Bank, the Supreme Court held that participants in a defined-benefit pension plan governed by ERISA lacked standing to sue for breaches of fiduciary duties if they had not suffered personal financial injury.
Supreme Court: New York Convention Doesn’t Bar Non-Signatories to an International Arbitration Agreement from Seeking to Compel Arbitration
- Jun 08, 2020
- Publications
Supreme Court: New York Convention Doesn’t Bar Non-Signatories to an International Arbitration Agreement from Seeking to Compel Arbitration
In GE Energy Power Conversion France SAS v. Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC, the Supreme Court held that the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards does not preclude a nonsignatory to an international…
Second Circuit Denies Rehearing in Key Insider Trading Case
- Apr 13, 2020
- Publications
Second Circuit Denies Rehearing in Key Insider Trading Case
In denying defendants’ petition for rehearing in United States v. Blaszczak, the Second Circuit firmly established potential liability for insider trading in the criminal context even where the original “tipper” receives no personal…
Appellate Litigation in the Age of COVID-19
- Apr 06, 2020
- Publications
Appellate Litigation in the Age of COVID-19
The U.S. Supreme Court and other federal and state appellate courts are adjusting their practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Courts are canceling arguments, postponing them, or providing for telephonic arguments and are…
Supreme Court to Decide Constitutionality of CFPB
- Mar 02, 2020
- Publications
Supreme Court to Decide Constitutionality of CFPB
On March 3, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument to determine the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Created by Congress as part of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB is a multi-member,…
Economic Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Developments: 2019 Year in Review
- Jan 31, 2020
- Publications
Economic Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Developments: 2019 Year in Review
This memorandum surveys economic sanctions and anti-money laundering (“AML”) developments and trends in 2019 and provides an outlook for the year ahead.
U.S. Supreme Court Vacates and Remands ERISA Stock-Drop Suit
- Jan 23, 2020
- Publications
U.S. Supreme Court Vacates and Remands ERISA Stock-Drop Suit
On January 14, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a per curiam order in Retirement Plans Committee of IBM Jander[1] (“Jander”), a closely watched case regarding the pleading standard for corporate stock-drop and disclosure claims…
Kannon Shanmugam to Speak at NYC Bar’s CLE Program
- Jul 17, 2019
- Events
Kannon Shanmugam to Speak at NYC Bar’s CLE Program
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam will speak at the New York City Bar’s CLE program, “Supreme Court — A Year in Review, 2018 Term.”
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in “Legal Speak” Podcast
- Jun 24, 2019
- Events
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in “Legal Speak” Podcast
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam is featured in the June 21 episode of “Legal Speak,” a podcast on Law.com.
Kannon Shanmugam to Speak on the Supreme Court’s 2019 Term
- Jun 20, 2019
- Events
Kannon Shanmugam to Speak on the Supreme Court’s 2019 Term
Litigation Partner Kannon Shanmugam will speak on a panel at the South Asian Bar Association of North America’s 2019 Annual Conference.
Takeaways From the Supreme Court’s Decision in Lorenzo v. SEC
- Jun 04, 2019
- Videos
Takeaways From the Supreme Court’s Decision in Lorenzo v. SEC
In March 2019, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Lorenzo v. SEC, concluding that, under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a person who “disseminates” but does not “make” a misstatement may be…
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in Lawdragon Article on Move to Paul, Weiss
- May 25, 2019
- Publications
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in Lawdragon Article on Move to Paul, Weiss
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was featured in a Q&A in Lawdragon.
Supreme Court Reiterates That Rejection of Executory Contract Constitutes Breach
- May 20, 2019
- Publications
Supreme Court Reiterates That Rejection of Executory Contract Constitutes Breach
The U.S. Supreme Court held today in Mission Product Holdings, Inc. v. Tempnology, LLC that a trademark licensee may retain certain rights under a trademark licensing agreement even if the licensor enters bankruptcy and rejects the…
U.S. Supreme Court Holds That False Claims Act Relators May Have up to 10 Years to File Suit, Regardless of Government Intervention
- May 16, 2019
- Publications
U.S. Supreme Court Holds That False Claims Act Relators May Have up to 10 Years to File Suit, Regardless of Government Intervention
On May 13, 2019, the Supreme Court unanimously held in Cochise Consultancy, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Hunt that the limitations period in Section 3731(b)(2) of the False Claims Act applies in all qui tam suits where the…
Paul, Weiss’s Supreme Court & Appellate Practice Featured in The American Lawyer
- Apr 30, 2019
- Publications
Paul, Weiss’s Supreme Court & Appellate Practice Featured in The American Lawyer
The American Lawyer featured Paul, Weiss’s new Supreme Court & Appellate Practice in an April 30 article.
Supreme Court Deals Another Blow to Availability of Class Arbitration
- May 03, 2019
- Publications
Supreme Court Deals Another Blow to Availability of Class Arbitration
On April 24, 2019, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Lamps Plus, Inc. v. Varela, holding that under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) class arbitration may not be compelled based on ambiguous contract language.
Supreme Court Passes–For Now–on Rejecting an Implied Private Right of Action for Tender Offer Claims
- Apr 25, 2019
- Publications
Supreme Court Passes–For Now–on Rejecting an Implied Private Right of Action for Tender Offer Claims
On April 23, 2019, the Supreme Court issued a one-line per curiam order in Emulex v. Varjabedian: “The writ of certiorari is dismissed as improvidently granted.”
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in Above the Law
- Mar 29, 2019
- Publications
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in Above the Law
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was featured in an Above the Law article discussing his recent speech, “Arguing Before the Supreme Court,” at the Columbia Federalist Society.
U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Entities Engaged in Nonjudicial Foreclosure Proceedings Are Generally Exempt from the FDCPA
- Mar 21, 2019
- Publications
U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Entities Engaged in Nonjudicial Foreclosure Proceedings Are Generally Exempt from the FDCPA
Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court held that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) generally exempts entities that merely engage in nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings, in accordance with state law.
Paul, Weiss Adds Kannon Shanmugam, Renowned Supreme Court and Appellate Lawyer
- Jan 27, 2019
- Firm News
Paul, Weiss Adds Kannon Shanmugam, Renowned Supreme Court and Appellate Lawyer
Kannon Shanmugam, a renowned Supreme Court and appellate lawyer, has joined Paul, Weiss as a partner in the Litigation Department and will chair the Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation Group.
Economic Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Developments: 2018 Year in Review
- Feb 05, 2019
- Publications
Economic Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Developments: 2018 Year in Review
This memo surveys economic sanctions and AML developments and trends in 2018 and provides an outlook for the year ahead. We also provide some thoughts concerning compliance and risk mitigation in this challenging environment.
FCPA Enforcement and Anti-Corruption Developments: 2018 Year in Review
- Jan 17, 2019
- Publications
FCPA Enforcement and Anti-Corruption Developments: 2018 Year in Review
In this memo, we offer reflections on the year’s most significant developments in anti-corruption and FCPA enforcement and policy.
Awards & Recognition
Kannon Shanmugam Receives “Silver Tongue” Award
- Feb 22, 2021
- Awards
Kannon Shanmugam Receives “Silver Tongue” Award
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was honored with the William & Mary Law School’s Edmund Randolph Award for Excellence in Oral Advocacy (the “Silver Tongue Award”), which recognizes outstanding appellate advocacy.
Karen Dunn Named to Benchmark’s “Top 10 Women in Litigation”
- Aug 28, 2020
- Awards
Karen Dunn Named to Benchmark’s “Top 10 Women in Litigation”
Litigation partner Karen Dunn was recognized by Benchmark Litigation as one of the 2020 “Top 10 Women in Litigation,” a best-in-class subset of Benchmark’s annual list of the leading 250 female litigators across the United States.
Sixteen Paul, Weiss Partners Included in Benchmark Litigation's “Top 10 Women in Litigation,” “Top 250 Women in Litigation” and “40 & Under Hot List"
- Aug 19, 2020
- Awards
Sixteen Paul, Weiss Partners Included in Benchmark Litigation's “Top 10 Women in Litigation,” “Top 250 Women in Litigation” and “40 & Under Hot List"
Sixteen litigation partners have been recognized by Benchmark Litigation in its 2020 “Top 10 Women in Litigation,” “Top 250 Women in Litigation” and “40 & Under Hot List – Northeast.”
Kannon Shanmugam Awarded Honorary Doctor of Law from University of South Carolina
- Aug 08, 2020
- Awards
Kannon Shanmugam Awarded Honorary Doctor of Law from University of South Carolina
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam was presented with an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in The National Law Journal’s 2019 Appellate Hot List
- Oct 29, 2019
- Awards
Kannon Shanmugam Featured in The National Law Journal’s 2019 Appellate Hot List
Kannon Shanmugam was named to The National Law Journal’s “Appellate Hot List” in its 2019 special report.
Kannon Shanmugam Elected as Honorary Bencher at Inner Temple
- Oct 14, 2019
- Awards
Kannon Shanmugam Elected as Honorary Bencher at Inner Temple
Litigation partner Kannon Shanmugam has been elected as an honorary bencher at one of the four English Inns of Court, the Inner Temple.
Masha Hansford Named a DC Rising Star by The National Law Journal
- Jul 26, 2019
- Awards
Masha Hansford Named a DC Rising Star by The National Law Journal
Litigation counsel Masha Hansford has been named a “DC Rising Star” by The National Law Journal.