Jacob Johnston

About Jacob Johnston

Jacob is an experienced litigator who has handled a variety of high-stakes disputes, including complex commercial litigation; restructuring and bankruptcy-related litigation; consumer class actions; appraisal proceedings; antitrust matters; securities litigation; and intellectual property matters. 

He represents clients in state and federal courts throughout the country during all stages of litigation, from initial investigations to trial and appeal, and in investigations and mediations. Jacob also regularly provides pre-litigation counseling and strategic advice and advises on transaction-related litigation risk and corporate governance matters. 

Jacob has represented public and private companies in a broad range of industries—including life sciences, software & technology, financial services, telecommunications, media, energy, and retail—as well as foreign sovereigns and individuals.

Recent work

• Representing Sumitomo Pharma UK in matters relating to a pending Bermuda appraisal proceeding. 
• Represented PowerSchool Group, LLC, the leading provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education in North America, against plaintiffs seeking a one-third equity interest in the company based on an alleged investment agreement. Secured dismissal in New York State Supreme Court and argued appeal before a panel of the Appellate Division that unanimously affirmed the judgment.   
• Trial counsel to Frontier Communications Corporation in all litigation matters related to its Chapter 11 filing in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Frontier's plan of reorganization was confirmed after a contested hearing, permitting it to restructure more than $17 billion in outstanding funded debt. Jacob has also been trial counsel to Chapter 11 debtors in bankruptcy courts in Delaware, Texas, Virginia, and Missouri. 
• Defended a foreign sovereign in cases brought against it in connection with a national economic crisis, including obtaining decertification on appeal of nine putative classes claiming nearly $1 billion in damages. 
• Defended a private equity firm against claims brought by portfolio company executives in connection with the redemption of equity interests. Negotiated a favorable settlement in which plaintiffs agreed to dismiss all claims and forfeit their remaining equity for less than the cost of further litigation. 
• Secured a favorable settlement for the world's largest social media company and its officers and directors in a securities class action alleging that the company misstated the impact of mobile usage on its revenue and revenue growth prior to its IPO.   
• Represented the country’s largest television station operator in a government investigation into an alleged price fixing conspiracy and related civil litigation.