Hospitality and Leisure

Representative Counseling Engagements

• Represented several international hotel management companies in connection with antitrust merger investigation.
• Represented co-developer and financial institution in development and construction of major U.S. urban convention center and hotel, including assisting with formation of joint venture entities, funding and creditor agreements, financial guaranty and municipal bond financing documents, REIT formation documentation, and hotel management and related service agreements.
• Represented largest processor of electronic hotel transactions in sale of its former division
• Represent an international hotel company on a broad range of antitrust and commercial matters affecting its relationships with franchisees, suppliers, distributors, and competitors.
• Represent several major international hotel operating companies in connection with domestic tax issues.
• Advised restaurant group based in eastern United States in real estate and leasing transactions.
• Assisted financial services hospitality company with tax advice and financial services assistance as part of a real estate transaction.
• Counsel an international hotel company on developing and implementing brand standards, revenue management programs and pricing/marketing matters.
• Advised European multinational food services and facilities management corporation in bankruptcy matters.
• Advise international hotel operating companies on corporate and regulatory issues within the Middle East.
• Advise high-end Chinese restaurant management company in its various transactions with restaurant owners and investors, including operating, licensing, partnership and service agreements.
• Advised international hotel operating company in connection with renewal and termination of its commercial agency agreements in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Assisted hotel operating company with employment issues arising from union organizing.
• Advised on labor and employment matters for a leader in the hospitality procurement industry.
• Created and executed a collective bargaining strategy for leading hotel operating company.

Representative Litigation and Arbitration Engagements

• Represent several international hotel owner/operator companies in multi-million dollar recovery claims against product suppliers for anticompetitive conduct.
• Represent international hotel operating company in claims brought against owner and operator by prospective purchaser of hotel.
• Represented international hotel company in ERISA class action suit relating to deferred stock benefits program.
• Represented hotel in an AAA/ICDR arbitration and related litigation arising from “midnight takeover” by owner.
• Represent international hotel operating company in tortious interference suit brought by hotel's former part owner under Lebanese and French law.
• Represented gambling trade association in an appeal involving international trade claims of unlawful state aid.
• Represented travel promotion company in False Claims Act retaliation suit.
• Represented international hotel company in antitrust suit alleging conspiracy to restrain the price of hotel rooms.
• Served as lead litigation counsel for international hotel operating company in patent infringement suits.
• Represented international hotel operating company in ICC arbitration proceedings in London under UAE law, arising from an owner dispute under a hotel management agreement.
• Represented an international hotel operating company in ICC arbitration proceedings, relating to a dispute with owners of a hotel property in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Represented an international hotel operating company in a tax dispute relating to its gift card and guest loyalty programs.
• In Hawaii’s largest-ever tax assessment, obtained a favorable settlement for an international hotel operating company.
• Represent international hotel chain in multiple litigations before the Egyptian court relating to corporate matters.
• Represented international hotel operating company in government contracts and related litigation over development and construction of major convention center hotel.