Since joining the firm at its inception in 1997, Bill Isaacson's main practice areas have included complex commercial
litigation and class actions, and arbitration.
In the area of plaintiff class actions, Legal 500.com describes Mr. Isaacson as a "leader" at BSF "with many successes to
his credit.". For example, Mr. Isaacson has acted as trial counsel for class plaintiffs in
Animal Science Products v.
Mitsui & Co. (D.D.C.), an international cartel case, resulting in a jury verdict for the class of $49.5 million (before
trebling) (National Law Journal, August 4, 2003 p. 13) and
In re Scrap Metal Antitrust Litigation (N.D. Ohio) winning
a jury verdict of $11.5 million before trebling. Mr. Isaacson also has acted as a Steering Committee Member in
In re
Vitamins Antitrust Litigation in which the firm uncovered an international conspiracy and represented purchasers of a
range of vitamins in pursuing price fixing and market allocation claims ("Not Your Father's Class Action," National Law
Journal, June 7, 1999, p.A5), resulting in an over $1 billion in settlements. In addition, Mr. Isaacson has filed the
first class actions uncovering cartels in China responsible for exporting products to the United States, including the
vitamin C industry. Among other cases, Mr. Isaacson is currently colead counsel for the direct purchaser class in
In re
Municipal Derivatives Antitrust Litigation (S N.Y.).
In the field of arbitration, Legal 500 describes Isaacson as having a "brilliant knowledge of international arbitration."
For example, Mr. Isaacson has acted as lead counsel in proceedings in the Southern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit
to enforce an international arbitration award under the New York Convention resulting in a $261 million judgment which was
affirmed on appeal.
Karaha Bodas Co., L.L.C. v. Perusahaan Pertambangan Minyak Dan Gas Bumi Negara, 364 F.3d 274
(5th Cir. 2004); American Lawyer, 2005 Arbitration Scorecard. Mr. Isaacson also acted as lead trial counsel for Claimant
Homestore v. AOL (AAA Arbitration/Washington D.C.) asserting claims for breach of contract arising out of an internet
distribution agreement. Following a two week trial and before a final award, the parties entered a settlement agreement
restructuring the distribution agreement and terminating a $57 million payment due from Homestore and reducing future
payments by $9 million per quarter. Mr. Isaacson has acted as trial counsel for Respondent in Marketing Company v.
Telecommunications Company (AAA arbitration/ New York) in which Claimant was denied its request for $30 million in lost
profits.
Mr. Isaacson also has acted as counsel in
Worldspan v. Abacus (ICC Arbitration / London) (following a three week
trial in 1999, a 300 page Award in August 2000 found for Claimant Worldspan on claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty,
breach of contract, misappropriation of confidential information and conspiracy and awarded $39.5 million);
Kuwait Oil
Company & UK Oil Company v. UK Oil Company et al. (LCIA Arbitration/London) (following an arbitration in London and
Kuwait, an arbitration award in December 2000 affirmed Claimant's contractual equity interest in billion barrel oil fields
at issue, and awarded fees and costs to Claimants);
Shandling v. Grey (representing comedian Garry Shandling against
his former manager for breach of fiduciary duty through to settlement following a decision denying a motion for summary
adjudication, see "Shandling Claims Get New Life in a Stunning Reversal," Variety June 23, 1999, p. 1).
Mr. Isaacson is the current Chairman of the Board for
Legal Counsel for the Elderly of AARP, an advisory board member of the
DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, and a Finance Committee member for the
Field School in Washington DC. He has lectured at
Georgetown University Law School and made presentations and conducted mock trials at ABA and IBA seminars and meetings.
Based on their own surveys, the publication Super Lawyers listed Mr. Isaacson as a D.C. Super Lawyer for 2009 and Best
Lawyers listed him as one of the best lawyers in Washington DC.
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by William Isaacson
