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Benjamin J. Razi

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5463

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Ben Razi is a trial lawyer who handles high-stakes litigation, trials, and arbitrations. He is co-chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. With a practice that spans industries, Ben specializes in distilling complex disputes into simple messages that persuade judges, juries, and arbitrators. He has applied this approach with great success across a range of litigation, including insurance and other contract disputes, whistleblower and other "fraud" cases, white collar defense, and torts.

    Ben has been named a "Trials MVP" by Law360 and has twice been recognized as “Litigator of the Week” by The AmLaw Litigation Daily. Most recently, Ben earned the “Litigator of the Week” honor for his successful role as first-chair trial counsel in a 5-week jury trial for National Grid in a major insurance coverage lawsuit. Previously, he earned the honor for achieving a complete jury trial victory for our clients in a novel civil forfeiture lawsuit brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

    In addition to his active litigation and trial practice, Ben regularly advises clients in the pharmaceutical, financial services, and other industries on their contractual rights and obligations.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • First-chair trial counsel for National Grid in major insurance coverage lawsuit regarding clean-up of Gowanus Canal. Prevailed after 5-week jury trial.
    • Lead counsel for Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank in a series of litigation and arbitration proceedings arising from the purchase of US Premium Finance, including first-chair trial counsel in successful 5-day AAA arbitration hearing.
    • Won jury trial for Efans Trading Corporation and Unicorn Tire Corporation in novel civil forfeiture case brought by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
    • First-chair trial counsel for NFL in disability discrimination lawsuit. Jury returned complete defense verdict after deliberating for less than 2 hours.
    • Led representation of DARCARS in corporate control lawsuit brought by Tammy Darvish. Plaintiff sued her father, brothers, and former employer claiming that she had been promised one-third ownership and control of the company and that her brothers tortiously interfered with this alleged “contract.” After developing evidence showing that Ms. Darvish’s alleged “contract” was fatally vague and illusory and that her tortious interference claims were unfounded, Covington moved for and won summary judgment on all claims. Ben argued the winning summary judgment motion. See Fallahi v. Mariam, Inc., et al., No. 399008-V (Mont. Cty. Circuit Court). 
    • First-chair trial counsel for Meda Pharmaceuticals in AAA arbitration regarding licensing agreement dispute.
    • Won complete defense verdict for Salix Pharmaceuticals following two-week jury trial in lawsuit brought by collaboration partner Napo Pharmaceuticals relating to Fulyzaq (crofelemer), a first-in-class gastrointestinal drug. Napo had sought over $260 million in damages and the right to terminate the parties’ license agreement. As a result of Covington’s efforts on summary judgment and at trial, Napo recovered nothing. See Law360 article "Salix Wins Jury Verdict In Breach Suit Over Napo Drug" (2/25/2014).
    • Won summary judgment and First Circuit affirmance for GSK in qui tam whistleblower retaliation lawsuit brought by Blair Hamrick. United States ex rel. Thorpe, et al. v. GSK (D. Mass. March 6, 2015) (First Circuit Feb. 17, 2016).

    • Won motion to dismiss for AECOM/URS in False Claims Act brought by the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. United States v. URS Federal Services, Inc., et al., Case No. 6:15-cv-01429-GAP-DAB (M.D. Fl. Dec. 2, 2015).
    • Co-lead counsel in successful multi-week jury trial in Maryland state court on behalf of Plaintiff in real estate partnership lawsuit.
    • Won motion to dismiss for Tyco and ADT in False Claims Act suit relating to security contracts with federal judiciary. United States ex rel. Zwirn v. ADT Security Services, Inc., et al., Civil No.: 10-2639 (D. N.J. June 30, 2014).
    • Co-lead counsel for Plaintiff in Wone v. Price, et al., wrongful death lawsuit arising out of murder of Washington lawyer Robert Wone. Favorable settlement reached after extensive discovery in which Defendants invoked Fifth Amendment rather than attempt to refute Plaintiff’s allegations.
    • Won summary judgment for Pfizer and Pharmacia in qui tam False Claims Act case involving alleged kickbacks to doctors and off-label promotion of human growth hormone product. United States ex. rel Rost v. Pfizer, et al., No. 03-11084-PBS (D. Mass. Sept. 14, 2010).
    • Won complete defense victory for GPC Biotech AG following seven day arbitration hearing in high stakes licensing dispute brought by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 2000
    • Fordham University, B.A., 1997
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Roger J. Miner, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 2000 - 2001
    Accolades
    • Benchmark Litigation, "National Practice Area Star" and "Litigation Star," Commercial Litigation (2017-2024)  
    • Recognized by The Am Law Litigation Daily as a “Litigator of the Week” (4/29/2022) and (2/23/2017)
    • Law360, Trials MVP (2017) 
    • Washington DC Super Lawyers, Business Litigation (2017-2020) and "Rising Star" (2013-2015)   
    • Law360, Rising Star - White Collar (2013)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • American Bar Association, Litigation Section

    Areas of Expertise

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