Representative Civil Practice Matters
The skills of our lawyers are best demonstrated by the following representative sample of clients who have entrusted their matters to us:
Commercial Litigation
Vaira & Riley has represented corporations, individuals and law firms in many civil cases and matters, including the following:
- A large Chicago law firm and one of its partners who were named as defendants in an abuse of process law suit. The suit stemmed from the firm�s prior representation of a securities firm as plaintiff in a fraud action against a lawyer and accountant.
- Another large Chicago law firm which was named as defendant in a legal malpractice claim in Federal Court.
- An Arizona-based medical equipment manufacturer who filed suit against a competitor for claims related to the disparagement of the client�s product in the marketplace.
- A Chicago based construction company involved in a $30 million contract dispute with a government entity.
- An international fruit importing company involved in contract litigation in a U.S. Customs duty dispute.
- A civil RICO action case based on executive�s purported affiliation with another company.
- A national gas transmission company involved in disputes over the construction of a transnational pipeline.
- A Japanese manufacturer of graphite involved in a price fixing suit in Federal Court.
- Underwriters Laboratories in the 100 Million Dollar fire of the Meridian Office Tower in Philadelphia.
Litigation or Administrative Proceedings Involving Government and Administrative Agencies
We have extensive experience in dealing with federal, state and administrative agencies that have initiated investigations or suits against business entities. Client matters include:
- A Chicago-based accounting firm in a dispute involving $80 million tax shelter and a $20 million loss to a federal savings & loan association.
- A manufacturer of railroad testing equipment in a contract dispute with Amtrak.
- A national construction company in a dispute with the City of Philadelphia.
- The government of a large African country in a national security matter with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Corporate Internal Investigations
These cases require special skills in investigative technique, protection of privileged material, dealing with government entities and also the media. The following is a sample of the clients who have entrusted Vaira & Riley with these sensitive situations:
- A national private mail sorting company. The assignment was to conduct an extensive internal investigation to evaluate the company�s operations following an inquiry by the federal government.
- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The firm was responsible for conducting an internal investigation of a large public utility on behalf of the PUC.
- A multi-billion dollar union pension fund. The firm conducted an internal investigation to evaluate investment irregularities on the part of the fund�s staff.
- A multi-million dollar investment firm. The firm conducted an internal investigation into investments with third parties.
Health Care Litigation
Vaira & Riley has represented numerous health care providers in investigations or lawsuits by state and federal governments, including:
- A large nursing home chain faced with a sophisticated false claim case involving both federal and state authorities. These included the U.S. Attorney�s Office, HHS OIG, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- A medical doctor of a major hospital health care system in a False Claims Act investigation into billing practices.
- Numerous health care providers and equipment suppliers in False Claims Act investigations by the federal government.
- A pharmaceutical sales representative in a grand jury investigation involving the creation of a secondary market for a high priced prescription drug.
- A physician practice regarding a False Claims Act Complaint alleging violations of the False Claims Act in billing practices.
- A pharmaceutical sales representative in connection with an investigation into diversion of samples of prescription drugs.
Environmental
We have defended many corporations in suits for violations of environmental laws, including:
- An EPA-related investigation involving Conrail regarding the alleged improper storage of asbestos.
- An aluminum and steel machine parts manufacturer with respect to an EPA investigation into wastewater discharge.
- A steel processing company regarding the improper transfer of PCB materials.
Qui Tam Litigation
We have represented clients who were parties in Qui Tam suits. These include:
- A national mass mailing company regarding improper mailing practices.
- A chain of nursing homes involving a federal false claim lawsuit.
- Several defense contractors in connection with contract issues.
- A physician practice regarding billing issues.
Class Action Suits
Our firm has defended numerous corporations who were charged in class action suits. They include the following:
- AOL in litigation with respect to an �access� issue when it introduced flat fee rates and as a result over 200 suits were filed across the nation.
- A suit brought by Daimler Chrysler Corporation against a class action law firm and its client for misuse of process in connection with a class action lawsuit.
- A Chief Operating Officer of a regional energy company in a class action lawsuit brought by customers against the company and all officers related to rate issues.
- A Tennessee law firm in litigation over a class representation fee dispute.
Other Cases and Matters
In addition to the above, Vaira & Riley has represented clients in the following areas:
- Insurance Bad Faith Claims
- Sexual Harassment and Workplace Violence
- Litigation or Related Proceedings Involving Labor Unions
- Dispute Resolution
- Arbitrations
- Contract Disputes
- Mass Tort Litigation
- Sports
Crisis Management
The firm also concentrates on representing corporations and other business entities in crisis situations. In this function, Vaira & Riley attorneys operate with a group of top managers, investigators, accountants, and media experts in dealing with crisis situations confronted by business entities.
Commercial Arbitration Service
Peter Vaira is available to act as an arbitrator in the areas of commercial litigation, professional responsibility, fee disputes and labor management matters. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an international arbitration service in London. Fellowship in the Institute is awarded only after qualifying in a series of performance examinations, and a required arbitration history. Mr. Vaira acts as a court appointed arbitrator for the Fen Phen diet drug class action settlement, and as the Independent Hearing Officer for the Laborers� International Union of North America. This latter post was created by the Department of Justice and the Union in response to a reform program for the Union. Mr. Vaira has heard over 400 arbitrations across the country as the Independent Hearing Officer, involving trusteeships, internal disciplinary and election protests. He is also a certified mediator for the Federal Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
White Collar Criminal Defense
The firm has a substantial white collar practice separate and distinct from the foregoing areas of civil representations. The firm has represented individuals, corporations, business officials, public figures and public officials in an array of matters of criminal investigations conducted by the federal government.
Antitrust
The firm of Vaira & Riley has represented companies and company officials in criminal and civil matters regarding price fixing allegations throughout the United States. The following are examples of clients who have retained this firm in this area:
- A vice president of a Canadian firm in the plastic food ware industry in a grand jury investigation and criminal trial.
- An executive vice president of a Japanese firm in a criminal case in the industrial graphite industry.
- The owner of a private manufacturing company in the steel drum industry in a grand jury investigation and criminal case.
- A regional manager in a grand jury investigation of the oil and gas meter industry.
- A regional tobacco marketing company in a grand jury investigation of the fresh cut tobacco industry.
- An antique furniture dealer in a grand jury investigation of the sales practices of the antique dealers in the northeast region of the United States.
Sentencing Guidelines Consultation
Vaira & Riley offers a special consulting service for federal criminal practitioners for assistance in negotiating plea agreements, preparing for sentencings, or appealing sentencing decisions. The firm has made a special effort to follow the application of the guidelines. The firm�s quarterly newsletter to the white collar defense bar, The Reliable Source, is largely devoted to sentencing issues.