K. Virginia Burke DeBeer

Defending officers and directors of E&P company in putative securities class action under Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act

Defending payroll software company and its officers and directors in putative securities class action under Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act. Ventrillo et al v. Paycom Software Inc et al, 5:23-cv-01019-F (W.D. Okla.)

Obtained partial denial of motion for class certification in securities fraud class action, on the ground that plaintiffs had failed to show price impact as to several alleged corrective disclosures.  Allegheny Cnty. Emps.’ Ret. Sys. v. Energy Transfer LP, No. 20-200 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 23, 2022)

Obtained post-trial judgment in favor of defendants in a $2 billion class action lawsuit alleging that a midstream MLP’s general partner had breached its duties when agreeing to merge the MLP with an affiliated energy company; the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed the decision. Dieckman Regency GP LP, 2021 WL 537325 (Del. Ch. Feb. 15, 2021), aff’d, 264 A.3d 641 (Del. 2021)

Obtained favorable settlement following discovery in securities fraud class action brought against a global technology company and its officers and directors alleging that the company misled investors about its sales forecasts. Rougier v. Applied Optoelectronics, Inc., No. 4:17-CV-2399 (S.D. Tex. 2020)

(Del. Ch.) – Counsel for two hedge funds in an expedited nine-witness trial in Delaware Court of Chancery over a disputed multi-billion dollar stock authorization by a public company

(Del. Super. Ct.) – Defended beverage company against tortious interference claim relating to an acquisition, which was favorably settled shortly before trial

(S.D. Tex.) Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of technology company in federal securities class action lawsuit

(Del. Ch.) Defending energy company officers and directors in breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit related to merger

(Del. Ch.) – Successfully opposed stockholder’s application for temporary restraining order that sought to extend aircraft leasing company’s director nomination window

Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of the board of directors of a manufacturer of electrical and communications infrastructure into allegations raised by a whistleblower that company management was intentionally overstating its inventory