Page 43 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

litigation over recent years and it is always the greatest com- From left, partners Karin A. DeMasi, Omid H. Nasab,
pliment for a client to call on us to expand our relationship. Gary A. Bornstein, Vanessa A. Lavely and Lauren M.
Rosenberg.
A prospective client in crisis calls and asks why your team
should be retained. What is your answer? Cravath is known Responses prepared by Gary A. Bornstein and Kevin J.
for taking on our clients’ most consequential matters. As a Orsini, the co-heads of Cravath’s litigation department.
generalist firm, our attorneys have the breadth and depth
of experience to handle the most pressing matters for our
clients, no matter the practice area, tribunal or party role.
Our attorneys do not back down in the face of monumental
challenges or unsettled law. Our work for PG&E is a great What is the firm doing to ensure that future generations of
example of this. We represented the company in every facet litigators are ready to take the helm? Cravath has long been
of PG&E’s response to the unprecedented 2017 and 2018 known for its elite associate training. Because we promote
California wildfires, serving as lead trial counsel in hundreds almost exclusively from within, it is vital that we imbue our
of lawsuits—including numerous putative class actions— associates with the skills, creativity and strong legal minds
and helping to steer the company through the largest utility needed to succeed in the most challenging cases. Our training
bankruptcy in U.S. history. begins with recruitment, selecting the most promising young
attorneys straight from law school and training them in the
What traits do you respect most in opposing firms and law- Cravath style. In our litigation department, associates rotate
yers? As a litigation department, we are trial lawyers first and through every practice area to gain a broad understanding
foremost. Because of this, we have a great deal of respect for of the law and are taught from day one to prepare for every
opposing counsel with impressive trial skills. Of course, we matter as if it is going to trial.
also appreciate opposing counsel who demonstrate respect
for the legal profession and who treat everyone in the court-
room in a courteous and professional manner.

Photo: Ryland West/ALM | October 2021 41