Ani-Rae Lovell is a commercial litigator with a broad-based practice. Ani-Rae advises clients facing commercial disputes, chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, and fiduciary duty litigation. Before live disputes arise, Ani-Rae counsels clients in stressed and distressed situations, pre-investment due diligence, and litigation risk management, including assessing insurance and indemnity coverage. Ani-Rae’s clients run the gamut – from individual officers, directors, and controlling shareholders to hedge funds, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, financial institutions, and public companies. Ani-Rae’s experience extends across all stages of litigation and forums, including trials and appeals, mediation, arbitration, and cases in state and federal court.
Experience
- Defended Shari Redstone and National Amusements, Inc. against parallel actions in the Delaware Court of Chancery brought by former stockholders of Viacom and former stockholders of CBS challenging the multi-billion dollar merger of Viacom and CBS in 2019, resulting in settlement prior to trial.
- Representing foreign subsidiaries of Schroders plc in litigations in federal court relating to the Madoff investment fraud.
- Represented the independent director of Basic Energy Services, Inc., in connection with that director’s investigation and analysis of estate causes of action as part of Basic’s ongoing chapter 11 cases, which involve more than $400 million of funded debt.
- Obtained dismissal of $1 billion dollars in fraudulent conveyance claims as lead defense counsel for shareholders that invested in a major publicly-traded fashion company prior to its leveraged buyout and subsequent bankruptcy.
- Represented committee of independent directors of a publicly-traded oil and gas company in an investigation of potential claims as well as related post-petition Rule 2004 discovery.
- Represented officer and director in advancement litigation, including in an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court.
- Pro bono representation of historic African Methodist Episcopal Church in contested chapter 11 proceeding, ultimately resulting in a confirmed plan of reorganization following a one-week confirmation trial.