Gerard A. Savaresse

Counsel

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Gerard Savaresse focuses his practice on a broad range of commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on consumer class actions and securities litigation. He has represented and secured successful outcomes for companies at all stages of litigation, including on the pleadings, discovery, class certification, summary judgment, and trial.

Languages

  • French
  • Spanish

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • New York

Court Admissions

  • US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit 
  • US District Court, Southern District of New York

Education

  • Fordham University, J.D.: magna cum laude; order of the coif; Fordham Law Review; Moot Court Board Member; Annual Merit Scholarship; Ann Moynihan Award, Fordham’s Clinical Program; Outstanding Clinical Student Award, Clinical Legal Education Associations
  • New York University, B.A.: summa cum laude

Professional Activities

Internships

  • The Honorable Richard J. Sullivan, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (2012)
  • Federal Litigation Clinic, Fordham Law School

Co-Author

Consumer Class Actions

  • Defend pet food company in consumer class action alleging that defendants violated the Illinois, California, and Kansas consumer fraud statute
  • Led efforts to centralize 40 class actions in an MDL accusing company of misleading marketing of recalled pet food
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice for apparel company in class action alleging defects and false advertising related to its children's footwear
  • Helped secure pre-Answer settlement for charcoal toothpaste manufacturer
  • Defend personal care and toothpaste manufacturer in false advertising suit alleging that “natural” claims are misleading

General Litigation & Trial Experience

  • Successfully argued directed verdict on key coverage issue and member trial team obtain partial verdict in favor of insurer in high-stakes environmental coverage trial
  • Responsible for preparing expert cross-examination and secured admission of key closing evidence as member of trial team that secured complete no-damages verdict for chip manufacturer
  • Lead author on successful oppositions to motions to dismiss and compel arbitration, preserving all claims in highly-publicized dispute between leading real estate companies
  • Lead author on brief that secured dismissal with prejudice in post-closing M&A contract dispute
  • Part of briefing team that secured summary judgment ruling that Plaintiffs lacked standing in suit against water district
  • Lead drafter of opposition brief that defeated application for discovery under 28 U.S.C. § 1782 on issue that was recently upheld at U.S. Supreme Court
  • Lead drafter of opposition to subpoena seeking discovery of the foreign subsidiary of a U.S. parent corporation

Financial Institutions

  • Successfully defended multinational office supply company and three of its former officers in putative securities fraud class action
  • Helped obtain dismissal for underwriters in a Section 11 securities class action in North Carolina 
  • Assisted financial institution in regulatory inquiry involving convertible bond offering
  • Part of briefing team that defeated class certification of putative ERISA class action
  • Defended financial institution in multiple regulatory actions relating to allegations stemming from electronic trading platform
  • Part of team that secured favorable settlement for financial services company in proprietary fund litigation
  • Conducted investigation for financial institution into alleged violations of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Part of team that obtained summary judgment for financial institution against allegations of securities fraud relating to auction rate securities

Pro Bono

  • Recognized with pro bono award by legal aid services provider for work as lead attorney in litigations that compelled government to return non-citizen unlawfully removed from the country, and secured highest-at-the-time judgment against the government for unlawfully removing non-citizen, including defeating motion to dismiss on issues of first impression in the S.D.N.Y.
  • Compelled landlord to install access ramp for wheelchair-bound client who could not leave his apartment
  • Successfully obtained time-served plea for defendant charged with selling drug analogues after compelling government to produce DEA report indicating that products were not chemically analogous to any controlled substances
  • Secured hearing for habeas petitioner on ineffective assistance of counsel grounds
  • Evaluated inmates' eligibility for presidential clemency and drafted recommendations to steering committee
  • Researched and contributed to policy work for an anti-human trafficking campaign

Press Releases