Trials

Kaplan Hecker & Fink: Experienced Trial Lawyers Delivering Results

Kaplan Hecker & Fink boasts a formidable team of exceptionally talented trial lawyers, renowned for their unparalleled courtroom expertise. Our lawyers have successfully handled civil and criminal cases in federal and state courts, achieving favorable verdicts for our clients. With a diverse background of former federal prosecutors and public defenders who have tried dozens of cases, we bring a unique perspective to every case we handle. Our track record demonstrates our ability to deliver compelling results.

Litigation Expertise for Success at Trial

Our lawyers have combined decades of experience handling trials ranging from criminal prosecutions of high-profile defendants and white-collar criminal defense to complex commercial disputes. These combined experiences have prepared our attorneys to approach each trial with the care and expertise required to secure the best results for our clients. We approach each case by mastering the facts, identifying the core issues, and strategically placing our clients at the center of the narrative. Our goal is to tell a compelling and persuasive story that resonates with judges and juries, ultimately leading to victory.

Recognized Excellence in Trial Advocacy

Partner Sean Hecker has been honored as a fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, an exclusive association comprising the top trial lawyers from the United States and Canada. This invitation-only fellowship recognizes experienced trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills, ethical conduct, professionalism, and collegiality. Chambers also ranked Sean as one of 2023’s top trial lawyers in the United States, noting that he wins “universal acclaim for his sophisticated practice, which regularly sees him called on to defend complex, high-stakes criminal trials” and that sources describe him as having “tremendous presence in the courtroom.” Sean is also ranked in Band 1 on Chambers’ list of the top white-collar crime and government investigation litigators in New York, and as a nationwide top litigator in FCPA and anti-corruption matters

Landmark Cases and Notable Achievements

Kaplan Hecker has a proven track record of handling high-stakes cases and achieving historic verdicts. In a recent notable case, our team successfully represented writer E. Jean Carroll in a sexual assault and defamation suit against Donald Trump, securing a substantial $5 million jury verdict in less than three hours.

One of our earliest cases involved a significant lawsuit filed under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871. We took on twenty-four neo-Nazi and white supremacist leaders accused of orchestrating racial and religious violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. The result was a historic trial verdict and a $26 million award for our clients, ensuring accountability for the perpetrators.

In another remarkable achievement, Kaplan Hecker secured a rare acquittal for the former Barclay's foreign-exchange head, who faced wire fraud charges. This case was named the 2019 "Most Important Court Case of the Year" by Global Investigations Review, recognizing our firm's exceptional work on behalf of our client. Both Robbie Kaplan and Sean Hecker have been recognized as among the top 100 trial lawyers in the country.

Prior to joining Kaplan Hecker, some of our lawyers’ representative trial matters included:

• Tried and convicted so-called “Chelsea Bomber,” Ahmad Khan Rahimi, for perpetrating a terrorist attack bombing in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in October 2016.
• Obtained the conviction after trial of Usama bin Laden’s son-in-law and al Qaeda spokesman Sulaiman Abu Ghayth.
• Tried and convicted professional gambler Billy Walters for insider trading scheme.
• Representation of a Fortune 500 company in multi-billion-dollar private antitrust trial, which resulted in a judgment as a matter of law in the company’s favor.
• Representation of Bristol-Myers Squibb in defending against a $3.4 billion contract and tort claim by generic drug manufacturer Apotex, winning a unanimous jury verdict of no liability.
• Prosecution and conviction of Aafia Siddiqui, an alleged Al Qaeda operative charged with attempted murder of U.S. personnel in connection with the assault of U.S. military and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in Afghanistan.
• Prosecution and conviction of members of an international organization (with conduct in the United States, Russia, Liberia and South America) that trafficked in thousands of kilograms of cocaine and military grade weapons.
• Prosecution and conviction of the co-conspirator of convicted international arms trafficker, Viktor Bout, for wire fraud and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) by attempting to purchase commercial airplanes from American companies in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Choose Kaplan Hecker & Fink for Effective Trial Representation

When it comes to trial representation, Kaplan Hecker & Fink stands out as a powerhouse law firm. Our experienced trial lawyers possess the skills, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through the complexities of litigation and achieve the best possible outcomes.