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Sharon Nelles is a partner in the Firm s Litigation Group. She represents leading global companies and financial institutions in antitrust, securities, banking, M&A and other complex commercial litigation, as well as regulatory and criminal investigations. Ms. Nelles has substantial experience handling matters involving the interplay among regulatory investigations, enforcement proceedings and the civil lawsuits that follow. Ms. Nelles has represented Microsoft Corporation, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Standard Chartered Bank, MBNA America Bank and SBC Communications in high-profile class action litigation and shareholder derivative suits, including the Microsoft indirect purchaser cases, the JPMorgan Chase/Bank One merger litigations and the Goldman Sachs mutual funds fee dispute. She has tried cases in the state and federal courts on behalf of such clients as Microsoft, Eastman Kodak Company and General Bank, and has represented prominent firms and individuals in proceedings before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, several state Attorneys General, the CFTC and the IRS. She recently has been active in matters involving subprime mortgage lending, mutual funds pricing, options backdating, insider trading, OFAC compliance, market timing and "pay-for-play." Ms. Nelles frequently conducts investigations for corporate clients, special committees and boards of directors. Selected Civil Cases Counsel to Microsoft in its defense of private antitrust damages actions around the country brought by end-users of Microsoft software, direct purchasers of Microsoft software and by Microsoft competitors such as Netscape following the Department of Justice's antitrust case United States v. Microsoft. Represented Microsoft in the two private indirect purchaser class actions that went to trial challenging Microsoft's prices. Led successful defense of purported class actions brought against JPMorgan Chase and current and former members of JPMorgan Chase s board of directors who approved the company s 2004 merger with Bank One. Obtained dismissal of all claims, with the Delaware Supreme Court issuing a significant decision on standards for obtaining proxy damages. Serves as lead counsel to JPMorgan Chase, board members and JPMorgan Securities in the ongoing related multidistrict federal securities cases. Tried contract dispute in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of Kodak resulting in an award of more than $25 million for Kodak and a declaratory judgment relieving Kodak of future payment obligations estimated at $15 to $25 million. Lead counsel to Standard Chartered Bank in an aiding and abetting action brought by Brazilian investors against Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of America pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York arising out of those banks correspondent relationships with Bank of Europe. Selected White Collar and Regulatory Matters Counsel to Microsoft in Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of its accounting for revenue, assets and liabilities. Counsel to Diageo in an industry-wide investigation by the New York State Attorney General s Office into spirits and wine distribution practices. Counsel to U.S. and non-U.S. companies in significant non-public investigations by the United States Attorney's Office, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York State Attorney General's Office concerning brokerage practices, finite reinsurance and the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme. Professional Activities and Community Involvement The Acting Company - Director Rankings and Recognition Euromoney s Benchmark: America s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys cited as a leading practitioner in Litigation (2008) Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Recognized as a leading litigator in Antitrust (2007) The Legal 500 U.S., Volume 3: Litigation - Recommended Lawyer for Antitrust Litigation (2007) The American Lawyer - Selected as one of "The Young Litigators Fab 50" - 50 litigators under 45 who are expected to be "leading the field for years to come." (January 1, 2007) | 