Alan Howard, Esq.
PARTNER | Perkins Coie LLP
Seasoned trial attorney Alan Howard represents clients in complex commercial disputes, cross-border litigation and international arbitration. Alan skillfully manages clients engaged in multiple proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, including companies involved in high stakes commercial contract disputes related to manufacturing, production and distribution of goods, technology and software issues, as well as domestic and global joint ventures.
Alan has successfully defended companies and individual directors in shareholder class actions in state and federal courts, most recently in Delaware, California, New York and Georgia. In addition, Alan has particular experience counseling financial institutions on anti-money laundering regulations and compliance.
With over three decades of experience trying cases at the state and federal level, Alan is also experienced in arbitration proceedings under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, JAMS and the International Chamber of Commerce. His international and domestic clients work in a range of industries, including financial services, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, telecommunications, retail and consumer products.
Maintaining a robust pro bono practice, Alan has been recognized by the American Bar Association, Public Justice, The American Lawyer and the Financial Times for his service as lead counsel in an action involving claims of forced labor, trafficking in forced labor, civil RICO, discrimination and fraud brought on behalf of hundreds of skilled workers from India. He also worked on the prominent civil rights case involving the “Jena 6” in Louisiana.
EXPERTISE
- Commercial Disputes
- Contract
- Intellectual Property
- Corporate Governance
- Fiduciary Duty
- Securities Matters
LOCATION
NY Metro
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Secured an arbitration award for breach and repudiation of a 15-year coal transportation agreement, over the assertion of a force majeure defense, on behalf of railroad against an owner of coal-fired power generation plants.
Represented the owner of an environmental plant in a dispute with the plant operator over claims of force majeure.
Handled multiple domestic and international arbitrations involving technology and software development and licensing agreements.
Represented a private equity acquisition search firm in a dispute over a finder’s fee.
Represented the manufacturer of industrial equipment in a dispute over an exclusive output contract.
Successfully defended an international financial institution against fraud claims in New York.
Represented companies and individual directors in the successful defense of shareholder class actions in state and federal courts, including in Delaware, California, New York, and Georgia.
Prevailed on behalf of an automotive parts manufacturer in an ICC arbitration arising out of the sale of a division, and specifically involving claims related to manufacturing processes.
Mediated a dispute on behalf of a worldwide leader in the development and supply of agricultural products involving a biotech licensing agreement.
Achieved an arbitration award for a major telecommunications company to enforce an indemnification agreement.
Represented an international infrastructure company in litigation relating to road and water projects in Africa.
Prevailed at trial on behalf of a retailer charged with theft of trade secrets.
Represented a global financial institution in mass tort litigation in the U.S.
Achieved at arbitration an award in favor of international manufacturers of high-speed trains arising out of a development contract for a multibillion-dollar project in Asia.
Represented a manufacturer of high-speed trains in litigating and mediating its disputes with Amtrak relating to the construction of the Acela.
Arbitrated on behalf of an insurance company its dispute arising out of the termination of software contracts.
Resolved breach of contract and patent litigation claims in the United States on behalf of a German medical device manufacturer.
Achieved a verdict at trial in favor of a telecommunications company in a false advertising lawsuit.
Successfully represented at trial a sporting goods manufacturer against patent licensing claims.
Defended to verdict individual and third-party payor claims against a tobacco manufacturer in smoking and health litigation.
*Prior firm experience.
COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
EDUCATION
Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1987
Yale University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1984
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Recognized by New York Super Lawyers as a "Super Lawyer", 2018 - 2020
Awarded “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by Public Justice, 2015
Received “Global Pro Bono Dispute of the Year” and “Global Citizenship (Grand Prize Winner)” award from The American
Lawyer, 2015
Recognized as “Innovative Lawyer of the Year,” Social Responsibility-Pro Bono Cases category by Financial Times, 2015
Received “Pro Bono Publico Award” from ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono, 2014
PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
Southern Poverty Law Center, Board of Directors, Former Chair