John C. Wander

Represents buyers, sellers, and directors and officers in shareholder class action and derivative litigation arising out of merger transactions

As co-lead trial counsel, obtained opinion permitting Energy Transfer Equity, LP to terminate merger agreement with The Williams Companies based on failure of condition precedent relating to the provision of a tax opinion; Decision affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court on March 23, 2017 The Williams Companies, Inc. v. Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., 2016 WL 3576682 (Del. Ch. June 24, 2016)

Co-Lead trial counsel in successful defense of suit by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. unit holders contesting a private offering

Representative transactions: Energy Transfer’s terminated acquisition of The Williams Companies; AltaGas acquisition of WGL Holdings; Ant Financial acquisition of MoneyGram; private equity acquisition of Sizmek, Inc.; MoneyGram recapitalization; management buyout of Exco Corp.; private equity acquisition of Sport Supply, Inc.; acquisition of Odyssey Healthcare by Gentiva, Inc.; private equity acquisition of Entrust, Inc.; private equity acquisition of TXU Corp.; private equity acquisition of United Surgical Partners International, Inc.; acquisition of MetaSolv, Inc. by Oracle; private equity acquisition of UICI, Inc.

(D. Del.) — Lead counsel for money transfer services company in Section 11 litigation arising out of secondary offering shortly before stock drop

(S.D. Fla.) — Obtained dismissal on 12(b)(6) as lead counsel for a fund of funds sued by investors alleging misrepresentations in offering a memorandum related to Madoff funds

(N.D. Tex.) — Lead counsel for private equity sponsors in consolidated litigation arising out of alleged reserve misrepresentations contained in a registration statement issued by an exploration company; the motion to dismiss was granted

Obtained dismissal on 12(b)(6) as lead counsel for a Big Four accounting firm in federal shareholder class action litigation alleging securities fraud in connection with debt offering registration statements issued by the accounting firm client

Nationwide counsel for family of life insurance companies in litigation relating to premium-financed life policies

Lead counsel in class actions against an insurance company allegedly underpaying disability benefits to policyholders and failing to provide timely benefits decisions to workers’ compensations claimants

Defended several insurance companies in class action litigation and individual lawsuits involving “vanishing premium” life insurance policies, including trial and summary judgment victories

Represented a major insurance holding company in litigation with managing general agents over market exits

Lead trial counsel for a taxpayer in a federal income tax refund case involving research and development tax credits

Assisted real estate developers in litigation surrounding the sale and purchase of real estate assets and partnership disputes

Represented majority-in-interest of a real estate partnership in a dispute with minority partners and dissolution of the partnership

Lead counsel for a mining equipment manufacturer in injunction proceedings denying temporary injunction and affirming termination of exclusive distribution agent

Serve as lead counsel for a private equity company in a termination dispute with a former partner

Successfully represented producers of Texas political debates over a twelve-year period in various lawsuits challenging editorial decisions about candidate participation