Mr. Lawson’s practice includes defending corporate and individual clients in a variety of disputes. His recent work for clients includes:
- Representation of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, a leading global provider of information technology, consulting, and business process services, and certain current and former directors and officers in putative shareholder derivative actions in federal and state court in New Jersey, a putative securities class action in federal court in New Jersey, and various shareholder demands in the Delaware Court of Chancery arising out of Cognizant's announcement of an internal investigation into whether certain payments relating to facilities in India were made in possible violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other applicable laws.
- Representation of BioAmber Inc. in a securities class action in federal court in New York, challenging various disclosures relating to the company’s operations.
- Representation of a hedge fund using algorithmic trading strategies in an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission into market manipulation.
- Representation of a London-based trader in connection with an antitrust class action concerning SSA bond trading.
- Representation of former J.P. Morgan Securities LLC analyst, Ashish Aggarwal, against allegations of conspiracy, insider trading, and wire fraud charges. A Central District of California jury found Mr. Aggarwal not guilty related to his role in an alleged insider trading scheme. This was a rare defense victory in an insider trading case and the first since the U.S. Supreme Court’s December 2016 decision in Salman v. United States, which lowered the bar for prosecutors in insider trading cases.
- Representation of a global technology company in connection with False Claims Act qui tam litigation and criminal investigations by the U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division.
- Representation of a U.S.-based global manufacturer of scientific instruments and medical devices in connection with investigations by the SEC, DOJ and Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption into alleged bribery and corruption violations at several of the company's China subsidiaries, including relating to the use of third-party intermediaries in connection with contracts with state-owned entities.
- Representation of a nationwide transportation company in numerous civil suits arising out of alleged misclassification of independent contractors.
In addition, Mr. Lawson has:
- Co-authored a brief in the Second Circuit challenging a district court’s revocation of a pro bono client’s in forma pauperis status. Successfully obtained reversal of the district court’s order.
- Co-authored a brief in federal district court on behalf of an internationally renowned post-secondary educational institution defending against state-law contract and tort claims. Successfully obtained dismissal of all of plaintiffs’ claims.
- Co-authored a brief in support of petition for certiorari in the Supreme Court in Hidalgo v. Arizona.
- On a pro bono basis, successfully challenged under the First Amendment a city’s ban on charitable solicitation in public.
Professional Experience
Mr. Lawson served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 2015-2016.