About
David M. Howard is a counsel based in our New York office, where his practice centers on high-stakes commercial disputes with substantial cross-border dimensions and regulatory exposure. He represents clients in contentious matters ranging from the acquisition and sale of emerging companies to business operations in high-risk jurisdictions, bringing particular depth to the telecommunications, finance, media, and energy sectors — industries where regulatory exposure and geopolitical factors frequently intersect with commercial risk. David also counsels emerging fintech companies through complex commercial disputes arising from the pressures of rapid growth, contested business relationships, and escalating regulatory scrutiny, working at the forefront of some of the most consequential matters in fast-moving financial technology markets.
David handles the full range of international dispute work, with a particular focus on matters that cross forums, jurisdictions, and regulatory agencies. He regularly appears before US federal and state courts and international arbitral tribunals. David develops and executes coordinated strategies across parallel civil proceedings and government investigations — aligning defenses, managing risk across multiple forums, and preserving strategic flexibility while maintaining consistent factual and legal positions from the outset. His cross-border practice encompasses disputes arising from business across Asian, European, and Latin American markets, including shareholder conflicts, post-acquisition claims, joint venture breakdowns, and enforcement proceedings spanning multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. David is equally experienced in contentious privilege and discovery matters in multinational proceedings, including 28 U.S.C. § 1782...
Litigation & Investigations
- Representing Klarna Group plc in defending a securities class action over its IPO filings.
- Representing Klarna Inc. in a class action involving its browser extension.
- Representing Next 15 Group plc and its CEO in obtaining complete dismissal on summary judgment in litigation seeking more than $100 million in relation to alleged business tort and breach of contract action brought by a former shareholder of an acquired company.
- Representing Amarin Corporation plc in obtaining complete dismissal in shareholder litigation.
- Representing an international telecommunications company in defending against alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act and parallel DOJ investigations.
- Representing an international telecommunications company in defending against DOJ and SEC Foreign Corrupt Practice Act investigations.
- Representing a fintech alternative investment company in parallel DOJ, SEC, and NYAG investigations and civil disputes involving marine finance loans and investment fund issues.
- Representing a Hong Kong-based fund in an adversary proceeding in bankruptcy.
- Representing multiple South American energy companies in construction financing disputes.
- Representing alternative investment companies in multiple civil litigations involving investment advisor issues.
- Representing an activist investor group in parallel Delaware federal and state proxy litigations.
- Representing numerous companies in New York and Delaware shareholder securities litigations.
- Defending against and prosecuting Section 1782 applications to get US discovery in aid of proceedings in non-US jurisdictions.
- Handling cross-border discovery in numerous countries throughout the world.
Arbitration
- Representing the CEO of a cryptocurrency mining company in arbitration regarding trade secrets, breach of contract, and defamation (JAMS, FL).
- Representing a UK-based media company in defending breach of contract claims arising from the acquisition of a startup (JAMS, CA) along with a parallel DOJ investigation regarding the startup.
- Representing a South American energy company in an arbitration against a Spanish contractor (ICC, NY).
- Representing an athlete in arbitration proceedings against the US Soccer Federation (US Olympic Committee).
- Representing an investment advisor in arbitration regarding trade finance loans (ICC, NY).
- Representing a non-US telecommunications company in a contract dispute regarding wireless cellular services (AAA/ICDR, NY).
- Representing an Asia-based supply company in arbitration regarding contract dispute (CPR, NY).
Appellate
- Argued before state appellate court while representing former members of a police review board.
- Drafted and filed amicus curiae briefs on behalf of a:
- Former FEC commissioner in support of petition for writ of certiorari to US Supreme Court in Ted Lieu et al. v. FEC, No. 19-1398.
- Nonprofit organization in support of petition for writ of certiorari to US Supreme Court and in support of merits brief in Uzuegbunam, et al. v. Preczewski, et al., No. 19-968.
- Former US ambassador in Afghan and Iraqi Allies et al. v. Pompeo et al., 1:18-cv-01388 (D.D.C.).
David M. Howard
3 World Trade Center
175 Greenwich Street, 51st Floor
New York, NY 10007