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Westbrook & Hayes

Practice I · Bet-the-company disputes, tried by the partners you hired

Complex Commercial Litigation

Trade secrets, fraud, contract, and business-tort disputes where the downside is existential. We staff lean, prepare every matter as if it will be tried, and let that preparation drive the settlement value.

17 jury verdicts as lead trial counsel since the firm's founding

How we practice it

Most commercial cases settle — but they settle on terms set by whichever side the other believes will actually walk into the courtroom. Our litigation group is built around that belief. Partners take the depositions that matter, argue the motions that matter, and examine the witnesses at trial. Nothing is delegated that a jury will eventually see.

We are equally comfortable on either side of the v. Roughly half of our trial work is for plaintiffs — often on fee arrangements that put our own capital at risk alongside the client's — and half is defense work for companies facing claims that threaten the enterprise.

Representative matters

Fictional matters shown on a sample site — and past results never guarantee a future outcome.

  1. 01

    $412M plaintiff's verdict — trade secrets

    Lead trial counsel for a fuel-cell developer against its former manufacturing partner; three-week federal jury trial ending in a nine-figure verdict and a permanent injunction.

  2. 02

    Complete defense verdict — $1.2B fraud claim

    Defended a specialty-chemicals company against fraud and breach claims seeking $1.2 billion; the jury returned a complete defense verdict in under four hours.

  3. 03

    Adverse $240M judgment reversed on appeal

    Retained post-verdict as appellate counsel; secured a full reversal and rendered judgment for our client in the court of appeals.

Who leads it

WH / Consultation

Facing a complex litigation problem?

Bring us the posture, the exposure, and the calendar. A partner from this practice will give you a candid read — including whether you need us at all.

Request a consultation

Or call (555) 014-7700 — conflicts checked within one business day.

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