Andrew L. Schwartz focuses on complex commercial, corporate and securities litigation, and represents clients on a wide range of matters, from class action litigations to privately negotiated resolutions of complicated disputes. Andrew frequently represents private and public corporations, venture capital funds, investment banks, real estate organizations, corporate directors and individuals, and institutional investors – including sovereign wealth funds, family offices, mutual funds, banks, hedge funds, labor union and pension funds – in sophisticated commercial disputes in federal and state courts. He also has significant experience defending companies in litigation arising from antitrust disputes, and is actively involved in the evolving legal landscape surrounding blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.
Andrew is currently representing Jewish and Israeli students at Columbia, Barnard, and the University of Pennsylvania, in federal courts in the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, respectively, concerning allegations that the universities enable hostile antisemitic educational environments, including pervasive acts of discrimination, harassment, and intimidation, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He represented Jewish and Israeli students at New York University and Harvard in successfully settling their Title VI claims and obtaining first-of-their-kind settlements, including the creation of an independent Title VI office. Before settling Harvard, Andrew helped defeat Harvard’s motion to dismiss. The court’s seminal opinion set a new standard and means for combating antisemitism through the Civil Rights Act.
Andrew has been recognized by The Legal 500, by Benchmark Litigation as a Future Star and on its 40 & Under List, by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star and by Best Lawyers on its Ones to Watch list.
Work Highlights
- Teva Pharmaceuticals and its individual directors and officers in defense of one of the largest securities class actions in recent history as well as the more than 20 related direct actions, filed on behalf of more than 75 opt-out plaintiffs. The class action was settled in 2022 within insurance limits and the opt-out litigations are ongoing .
- Eros International. Successfully settled putative securities class action in the District of New Jersey on behalf of the company’s former Chief Financial Officer. Following a decision dismissing nearly all of the claims in the case, the lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which the CFO separately moved to dismiss.
- A cannabis fintech startup in the Northern District of Illinois pursuing claims of fraud and breach of contract concerning an alleged catch-and-kill scheme.
- An individual in the successful representation of claims for defamation. In granting the motion to strike under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, the Court held that the speech at issue was absolutely privileged under California and District of Columbia law.
- The founders and former shareholders of a private company, in New Jersey state court, in defense of allegations of fraud and breach of the share purchase agreement.
- An Israeli company in successfully settling insurance related claims in the American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution.
- Valeant Pharmaceuticals Opt-Out Litigation. On behalf of several mutual funds, a public pension plan, and other institutional investors, pursuing direct securities fraud claims against Valeant, arising from Valeant’s improper accounting and billions of dollars of fraud-related losses.
- Adeptus Health Opt-Out Litigation. On behalf of a hedge fund that owned one of the largest equity positions of Adeptus prior to its multi-billion dollar bankruptcy, successfully pursued direct claims against Adeptus’ former officers, directors, and private equity sponsor. The terms of the settlement are confidential.
- A hedge fund executive in successfully mediating a private employment dispute concerning wrongful termination and unpaid bonus.
- Workspace, a mixed-use cooperative corporation that owns two buildings in New York City’s SoHo, and certain members of Workspace’s board of directors, in securing the dismissal of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims. The court dismissed the complaint brought by a minority shareholder of Workspace, 106 Spring Street Owner, a portfolio company managed by 60 Guilders and funded by both Carlyle Realty Partners and 60 Guilders.
- Godiva Chocolatier in putative nationwide class action lawsuits alleging false advertising and violation of consumer protection laws.
- A New York City co-op in pursuing malpractice claims in New York state court concerning an alleged multimillion real estate transaction error and coverup.
- A venture capital fund that invested in a cannabis fintech company through a convertible promissory note in successfully settling claims for breach of contract and specific performance.
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