Abe Katsman's practice focuses on complex litigation and appellate work. Through 2008, Abe practiced at Bernstein Liebhard in New York City. His work there centered on complex securities class actions, derivative actions, and antitrust litigation. He drafted briefs and motions for federal district and circuit courts, including the briefs in two successful corporate appeals before the Delaware Supreme Court. He also argued motions in state and federal court, researched and wrote memoranda on securities law questions, took and defended depositions, handled other pretrial discovery and settlement proceedings, and worked closely with economic and financial experts on damages analyses and reports.
His practice also includes first amendment matters, general commercial litigation and appeals, commercial contract drafting and negotiation, defense of SEC enforcement actions, and corporate governance litigation.
Abe is also a political writer/commentator who has been published in The Daily Beast, American Thinker, Breitbart, Israel Hayom, Ha’aretz, and The Jerusalem Post.
Abe is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, and his admission in Washington is pending.
Honors and Awards
CALI Award in Comparative Commercial Law
Highest Grade Legal Research & Writing 1 & 2
Best Appellate Brief AwardBest Oralist Award in Appellate Arguments
Joseph M. Livermore Service Award for the 2014-2015 Academic Year
Professional Licenses
Washington State Managing Real Estate Broker
Notable Cases
1501 1st Ave. N v. Branfman, Cai, et al.
Complex EB-5 and Dissenter’s Rights Litigation and Trial.
Jeff represented 23 minority shareholders from China and Japan in an 8-day trial against American Life, Inc., the nation’s largest EB-5 developer. This was a trial of first impression in Washington. In conjunction with co-counsel, Jeff took the case to verdict, winning over $21 million for his clients.
Leek v. Wang, McDuffie, et al.
Complex Corporate Litigation and Trial
Jeff represented one of the Defendants, a renowned cybersecurity expert and owner of a multinational cybersecurity company. Plaintiff claimed Breach of Contract, Breach of Partnership, Breach of Duty as Partners, Contract Implied in Law, Contract Implied in Fact, Willful Refusal to Pay Wages, Negligent Misrepresentation, Intentionally Misrepresentation, and a host of other claims. After a 4-day trial, the court dismissed all claims against Jeff’s client.
In. Re. Estate of Pinto
Complex Probate Litigation and Trial
A week-long trial where Jeff successfully represented one of the estate beneficiaries, securing a near $1 million total verdict for his client and the return of an invaluable family heirloom.
Vo v. Huynh
Complex Family and Business Litigation and Trial
A highly contentious divorce where Jeff represented the wife. The husband owned and operated a multi-million dollar telecommunication business, and throughout litigation, concealed and wasted vast amounts of community assets. Jeff moved the court to appoint a Receiver, who wound up the business. Jeff secured approximately $400,000 in sanctions against the husband prior to trial. The trial court awarded Jeff’s client all the assets and businesses concealed by the opposing party, in addition to attorney fees.
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