Daniel V. Ward

Experience

Securities and Corporate Governance Litigation

• Represented a private equity sponsor in expedited $2B merger litigation in Delaware Court of Chancery concerning the application of a “material adverse event” clause in light of a public company’s performance during the COVID pandemic.  
• Representing private Delaware LLC in corporate governance dispute among board members and founder regarding claims of wrongful termination and fraud.  
• Representing shareholders in derivative litigation pending in Delaware and California courts regarding breach of fiduciary duty by directors of a technology company.   
• Counsel to investors and trustees of residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) in multiple loan repurchase cases in the state and federal courts of New York, Delaware and Connecticut. 
• Trial counsel during three-week RMBS trial in federal court on behalf of TMI Trust Company alleging breaches of representations and warranties by WMC Mortgage LLC, seeking repurchase of thousands of mortgage loans and seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
• Secured dismissal of parallel class action and derivative litigation filed in federal court in Massachusetts against Abiomed, Inc., alleging securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, with both dismissals affirmed by the First Circuit.
• Secured dismissal of class action litigation filed in federal court in Massachusetts against Seres Therapeutics, Inc., alleging securities fraud.
• Represented State Street Global Advisors in connection with ERISA and securities litigation arising from investment losses in their institutional funds.
• Represented and advised numerous companies in connection with disputes arising from mergers and acquisitions.

Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

• Counsel to leading biotechnology company in international arbitration concerning COVID vaccine distribution before the London Court of International Arbitration.  
• Counsel to public technology company in AAA commercial arbitration concerning $100 million claim for earnout payments allegedly due under a purchase agreement.  
• Counsel to private technology company in federal court litigation pending in New Hampshire against international telecommunications company concerning license agreements.  
• Counsel to major investment bank in international arbitration concerning investment in Latin American telecommunications company.  
• Counsel during a month-long international arbitration in Hong Kong, on a matter brought against a Chinese supplier for breach of warranty. In one of the largest international arbitration awards ever decided in Hong Kong, won a $98.5 million award on behalf of our client, with all counterclaims denied.
• Trial counsel in a $30 million wrongful termination and contractual dispute brought by a former partner of an investment management firm. Won a complete jury verdict for the defendant in a trial lasting over three weeks, and defeated the plaintiff’s subsequent appeal.
• Lead trial counsel for individual accused of misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract and breach of M.G.L. c. 93A in dispute among 3D metal printing companies in federal district court in Massachusetts.

Securities Enforcement

• Counsel to numerous public companies, private fund managers and other investment advisers in connection with FINRA inquiries, SEC examinations and enforcement matters, including responses to deficiency letters and investigative subpoenas, involving a range of issues including accounting fraud and fund management fees.
• Conducted numerous internal investigations for public company audit committees regarding internal compliance with securities laws and regulations.  

Zoning, Land Use and Real Estate

• Represented a leading REIT in multiple regulatory and land use proceedings regarding portfolio properties located in Boston; represented multiple public companies in disputes and investigations regarding environmental remediation; represented numerous commercial landlords in leasing and acquisition disputes.

Pro Bono

• Extensive pro bono practice, including as lead trial counsel in an international child custody dispute under the Hague Convention tried in New Hampshire federal court, and numerous political asylum proceedings on behalf of refugees. Dan also formerly served on the board of directors of empowerHER, an organization that provides mentorship for girls that have lost their mothers.