Mr. Curran, a trial lawyer, is a partner in the Firm’s Washington, DC office, where he heads the litigation practice. He has been repeatedly recognized as a leading litigator in Washington and nationwide. In 2007, he was designated in the very top echelon of “litigation stars” by one of the leading lawyer-ranking guides.

Mr. Curran represents domestic, foreign and sovereign clients in complex civil litigation at all levels in federal and state courts.  He has won high-stakes verdicts and judgments in trial courts across the country, and he has successfully argued appeals in the District of Columbia, Second, Fourth, Eleventh and Federal Circuits.  A significant part of his practice focuses on issues of international law and federal-government regulation, especially antitrust.

Recent representative matters include:

• Lead counsel in successful defense of federal criminal antitrust case against corporate client in the shipping industry; prevailed after month-long trial in Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of a major antitrust action brought by US Federal Trade Commission against pharmaceutical manufacturers relating to settlement of patent litigation.  After 40-day trial, won defense verdict.  Also lead counsel on Eleventh Circuit appeal upholding trial verdict.  Copycat private class actions still pending in Multi-District Litigation proceeding.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of various Asian rubber-thread manufacturers against criminal and civil allegations of price-fixing in violation of US antitrust laws.  Succeeded in having no indictment brought after extended grand jury proceedings.  Succeeded in defeating $100 million civil class action, winning jury verdict.  Won affirmance of verdict in Fourth Circuit, setting important precedent on extraterritoriality of US antitrust laws.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of international shipping company in Multi-District Litigation actions alleging price fixing.  Won landmark decision in Second Circuit compelling arbitration of claims.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of major Saudi bank alleged to have financially supported terrorism.  Won pre-trial dismissal of $1 billion claim.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of major New York bank in private US federal civil action and in federal government and regulatory investigation related to misappropriated funds.  Won civil action on merits, including award of $1.74 million in attorney's fees, and obtained dismissal of regulatory investigation.
• Lead counsel defending against major antitrust action brought by US Department of Justice.  In two-week trial, successfully refuted allegations of territorial allocation among competitors in paper industry.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of importers of foreign-made steel products alleged to have violated US antitrust and trade laws.  Successfully removed case from state court to federal court on pre-emption grounds, successfully defeated motions for TRO and for preliminary injunction, and won pre-trial dismissal of case.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of Republic of Costa Rica in $352 million federal antitrust action brought by cellular telephone company.  Prevailed on motion to dismiss after limited discovery.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of Central Bank of Jordan in federal action brought by foreign banker.  Prevailed on pre-discovery motion to dismiss.  Also lead counsel on appeal in DC Circuit affirming dismissal.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of Republic of Kazakhstan in federal action arising from international commercial transaction.  Retained after default judgment was entered and was being enforced; prevailed by having default judgment vacated, enforcement enjoined, and claim dismissed.
• Lead counsel in successful representation of Government of Vietnam in US federal action to determine current ownership of US assets that had been frozen upon the 1975 fall of Saigon.Won $3 million dollar judgment.
• Lead counsel defending City of Amsterdam, The Netherlands in US federal action seeking return of priceless artworks allegedly misappropriated in 1930s.
• Lead counsel defending the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in US federal action brought by Iraqi national alleging wrongful seizure of Jordanian bank; prevailed in district court.
• Lead counsel representing major Japanese electronics company in connection with global criminal and civil proceedings related to alleged cartel activity.

Mr. Curran regularly represents clients before US federal government bodies as well as before the courts.  Mr. Curran has represented clients in investigations conducted by, among others, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense, the International Trade Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Congressional committees.  He is also experienced in representing foreign sovereigns and diplomats in their interactions with the Department of State with regard to issues of immunity.

Mr. Curran has substantial experience in the antibribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.  In dozens of FCPA matters over the last decade, he has (i) advised clients on the propriety of proposed conduct and on responding to questionable conduct by employees, (ii) conducted internal investigations, and (iii) assisted companies in establishing practices and programs of compliance.

Mr. Curran also regularly advises clients on complying with the US Foreign Asset Control regulations and with the US antiboycott laws.

Mr. Curran recently completed his third three-year term on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit's Advisory Committee on Admissions and Grievances.  He was chairman of the committee.