Press Releases

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Joseph M. McLaughlin is a Partner in the Firm's Litigation Department. He represents clients in a wide range of commercial litigation, with particular emphasis on complex class actions, securities litigation and general commercial litigation.

Mr. McLaughlin has represented clients in tobacco-related Attorney General and class action litigations, and tender offer and securities litigation in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. His recent trial experience included acting as:

• Lead counsel in representation of the limited partners of LJM2 Co-Investment, L.P. at trial regarding the validity of the removal of Enron-affiliated general partner. After a bench trial, the Court of Chancery issued a lengthy opinion validating the removal of the Enron-affiliated general partner and appointment of the new general partner.
• Counsel for B.A.T Industries plc at the 2001 jury trial of a health care expense reimbursement action brought by Blue Cross and Blue Shield seeking multi-billion dollar damages. Obtained directed verdict for client at close of plaintiffs’ case.
• Counsel for B.A.T Industries plc at the 2000 jury trial of a health care expense reimbursement action brought by the Johns Manville Trust seeking multi-billion dollar damages. Obtained directed verdict for client at close of plaintiffs’ case.
• Counsel for the limited partners of LJM2 Co-Investment, L.P. in (i) a fraudulent conveyance action commenced on behalf of six lenders to LJM2 in the LJM2 bankruptcy proceeding in Dallas; (ii) an action alleging multiple Delaware state law claims asserted on behalf of six lenders to LJM2 in the Delaware Court of Chancery; and (iii) a fraudulent conveyance action commenced on behalf of the Enron estate against LJM2.

Mr. McLaughlin is the author of the two-volume treatise, McLaughlin on Class Actions: Law and Practice (Glasser LegalWorks 2d ed. 2006) and is a recipient of the 2005 Burton Award for Legal Achievement. He is a member of the American Law Institute, and publishes a regular column in the New York Law Journal on Directors and Officers Liability issues, and has published articles on mass tort and securities law issues in the Stanford Journal of Law, Business & Finance and National Law Journal.

He received his Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Fordham College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and his law degree from Fordham University School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. He served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable John F. Keenan of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. McLaughlin is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the courts of the State of New York and U.S. Circuit and District Courts in numerous jurisdictions.