Trials

Kaplan Hecker & Fink: Experienced Trial Lawyers Delivering Results

KHF boasts a formidable team of exceptionally talented trial lawyers renowned for their unparalleled courtroom expertise. Our lawyers have successfully handled civil and criminal cases in federal and state courts, achieving favorable verdicts for our clients. With a diverse background of five former federal prosecutors and three public defenders who have tried dozens of cases, we bring unique perspectives and strategic flexibility to every case we handle. Our track record demonstrates our ability to deliver compelling results.

Litigation Expertise for Success at Trial

Our lawyers have decades of combined experience handling trials ranging from criminal prosecutions of high-profile defendants and white collar criminal defense to complex commercial disputes. These experiences have prepared our attorneys to approach each trial with the care and expertise required to secure the best results for our clients. We approach each case by mastering the facts, identifying the core issues, and strategically placing our clients at the center of the narrative. Our goal is to tell a compelling and persuasive story that resonates with judges and juries, ultimately leading to victory.

Recognized Excellence in Trial Advocacy

Partners Sean Hecker and David Patton have been honored as fellows of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, an exclusive association comprising the top trial lawyers from the U.S. and Canada. This invitation-only fellowship recognizes experienced trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills, ethical conduct, professionalism, and collegiality. Chambers ranked Sean as one of 2023’s top trial lawyers in the United States, noting that he wins “universal acclaim for his sophisticated practice, which regularly sees him called on to defend complex, high-stakes criminal trials” and that sources describe him as having “tremendous presence in the courtroom.” In 2023, Benchmark Litigation also recognized Roberta Kaplan and Sean Hecker as “Top 100 Trial Lawyers.”

Landmark Cases and Notable Achievements

KHF has a proven track record of handling high-stakes cases and achieving historic verdicts. Our team successfully represented writer E. Jean Carroll in sexual assault and defamation suits against former President Donald Trump, securing two substantial jury verdicts of $5 million and $83.3 million, respectively—both in less than three hours. 

One of our earliest cases involved a significant lawsuit filed under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871. We took on twenty-four neo-Nazi and white supremacist leaders accused of orchestrating racial and religious violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. The result was a historic trial verdict and a $26 million award for our clients, ensuring accountability for the perpetrators.

In another remarkable achievement, KHF secured a rare acquittal for the former Barclay's foreign-exchange head who faced wire fraud charges. This case was named the 2019 “Most Important Court Case of the Year” by Global Investigations Review, recognizing our firm’s exceptional work on behalf of our client.

Prior to joining KHF, some of our lawyers’ representative trial matters included:

• Represented a Fortune 500 company in a multi-billion-dollar private antitrust trial, which resulted in a judgment as a matter of law in the company’s favor.
• Defended Bristol-Myers Squibb against $3.4 billion in contract and tort claims by generic drug manufacturer Apotex, winning a unanimous jury verdict of no liability.
• Represented and concluded a deferred prosecution agreement for the lead defendant in a long-standing federal insider trading case about Medicare reimbursement rate changes. Earlier trials resulted in acquittals on the insider trading charges and a successful appeal on a variety of fraud counts.
• Tried and convicted professional gambler Billy Walters for insider trading scheme.
• Tried and convicted the so-called “Chelsea Bomber,” Ahmad Khan Rahimi, for perpetrating a terrorist bombing in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in October 2016.
• Tried and convicted Usama bin Laden’s son-in-law and al Qaeda spokesman Sulaiman Abu Ghayth.
• Prosecuted and convicted Aafia Siddiqui, an Al Qaeda operative, for attempted murder of U.S. personnel in connection with the assault of U.S. military and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in Afghanistan.
• Prosecuted and convicted members of an international organization (with conduct in the United States, Russia, Liberia and South America) that trafficked in thousands of kilograms of cocaine and military grade weapons.
• Prosecuted and convicted the co-conspirator of convicted international arms trafficker, Viktor Bout, for wire fraud and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by attempting to purchase commercial airplanes from American companies in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Choose Kaplan Hecker & Fink for Effective Trial Representation

When it comes to trial representation, KHF stands out as a powerhouse law firm. Our experienced trial lawyers possess the skills, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through the complexities of litigation and achieve the best possible outcomes.