Engineering Structures Jobs in Howard Beach, NY

At PwC, our people in tax services focus on providing advice and guidance to clients on tax planning, compliance, and strategy. These individuals help businesses navigate complex tax regulations and optimise their tax positions. Those in tax compliance at PwC will focus on validating clients' compliance with tax laws and regulations. You will review and analyse financial data, prepare and file tax returns, and assist businesses in meeting their tax obligations while minimising risks of non-compliance.

Translating the vision, you set the tone, and inspire others to follow. Your role is crucial in driving business growth, shaping the direction of client engagements, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. You are expected to be a guardian of PwC's reputation, understanding that quality, integrity, inclusion and a commercial mindset are all foundational to our success. You create a healthy working environment while maximising client satisfaction. You cultivate the potential in others and actively team across the PwC Network, understanding tradeoffs, and leveraging our collective strength.

Examples of the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to lead and deliver value at this level include but are not limited to:

• Lead in line with our values and brand.
• Develop new ideas, solutions, and structures; drive thought leadership.
• Solve problems by exploring multiple angles and using creativity, encouraging others to do the same.
• Balance long-term, short-term, detail-oriented, and big picture thinking.
• Make strategic choices and drive change by addressing system-level enablers.
• Promote technological advances, creating an environment where people and technology thrive together.
• Identify gaps in the market and convert opportunities to success for the Firm.
• Adhere to and enforce professional and technical standards (e.g. refer to specific PwC tax and audit guidance) the Firm's code of conduct, and independence requirements.

The Opportunity
As part of the Financial Services Tax team you are expected to lead the way as technology-enabled tax advisors who provide benefits through digitization, automation, and increase efficiencies. As a Director you are expected to set the strategic direction, lead business development efforts, and oversee multiple projects while maintaining impactful executive-level client relations. You are expected to provide exceptional technical knowledge and specialization, coupled with the One Firm knowledge that brings everything PwC offers to solve our clients' needs.

Responsibilities
- Set the strategic direction for the Financial Services Tax team
- Lead business development initiatives to drive growth
- Oversee multiple projects maintaining quality delivery
- Maintain executive-level client relationships
- Provide technical knowledge and industry insights
- Foster a culture of digitization and automation
- Equip professionals to succeed in complex transactions
- Leverage One Firm knowledge to address client needs

What You Must Have
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
- 6 years of experience
- CPA, Member of the Bar or other tax, technology, or finance-specific credentials may qualify for this opportunity

What Sets You Apart
- Considerable knowledge of tax issues in banking industry
- Considerable knowledge of public accounting practices
- Significant technical skills including FAS 109 and FIN 48
- Identifying and addressing client needs
- Developing and sustaining meaningful client relationships
- Preparing and presenting complex written and verbal documents
- Leading teams to generate a vision and establish direction
- Utilizing automation and digitization in professional services
- Evaluating and negotiating new and existing contracts

Travel Requirements
Up to 20%

Corporate Associate (3–6 Years Experience)

Locations: Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | New Haven, CT | New York, NY

A leading regional law firm with a nationally recognized corporate practice is seeking a Corporate Associate to join its team in Boston, Stamford, New Haven, or New York. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with experienced partners and clients on sophisticated transactions across a broad range of industries.

The ideal candidate will have 3 to 6 years of experience in a law firm setting with a strong background in venture capital transactions and mergers & acquisitions. Associates in this role will assist with drafting and negotiating complex transactional documents, supporting deal execution, conducting due diligence, and advising clients on corporate governance and regulatory matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex transactional documents related to venture capital and M&A transactions
• Support all phases of corporate transactions including due diligence, structuring, negotiation, and closing
• Advise clients on corporate governance matters and general corporate law issues
• Assist with securities law compliance and related regulatory considerations
• Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders to manage transaction timelines and deliverables

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of corporate law experience at a law firm
• Strong experience with venture capital transactions and/or mergers & acquisitions
• Experience with securities law compliance and corporate governance matters is preferred
• Excellent drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage multiple matters in a fast-paced transactional environment
• Admission to the bar in the applicable state (or ability to obtain admission promptly)

Compensation

• Base salary will vary based on office location, experience, and other job-related factors. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $180,000 – $260,000, plus eligibility for a comprehensive benefits package.
• If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please feel free to reach out confidentially.

Applying

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to and include "Corporate Attorney" in the subject line.

EEO

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. We strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), marital or familial status, age, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, citizenship status, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applications from members of minority groups and women are encouraged.

A full-service, 20-attorney law firm near the Queens / Nassau County, Long Island (close to LIRR) is hiring an Attorney, Commercial Transactions at the Associate, Senior Associate, Counsel, or possibly the Partner level, DOE, w/ a clear path to a PARTNER position to LEAD the Commercial Transactions Group in an orderly transition, to replace a partner departing the firm in 1-2 yrs.

Culture: Partners are committed to a limit of 1600 billable hours/yr in order to prioritize personal well-being, and better manage work / life boundaries and life's demands outside of work.

The departing partner works in several capacities/Groups for the firm, allocating about 50% of his time to the Commercial Transactions Group; it's therefore CRITICALLY IMPORTANT for the new hire to join the firm WITH a portable BOOK OF BUSINESS to fill (at least) 50% of their time / workload. Sole practitioners are welcome to reduce hours, distractions, admin work and stress.

Candidates who do NOT HAVE a portable book of business WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THEY ARE / HAVE RECENTLY HELD PARTNER POSITIONS (likely at a LARGER law firm) AND IF they:

• Are VERY CONFIDENT and CAN SUPPORT they HAVE and QUICKLY CAN build a book of business given their experience, contacts, etc.

AND

• Possess exemplary, applicable hard and soft skills & experience, and employment stability

AND

• OPEN to a starting salary that IS COMPETITIVE, albeit BELOW the starting salary of a 'typical' new law firm partner, while the new hire builds a book of business

Starting Salary: ~$160k - $175k, DOE and book of business value, plus bonus, plus origination fees / commissions on the portable book of business and future business brought into the firm.

Location: The work is ON SITE ON LONG ISLAND for the most part, with some flex to work in the firm's Manhattan or NJ office, as needed, or sporadically on a remote basis, as needed.

Commute: For candidates north or west of Long Island, the firm's Long Island office is VERY CLOSE to LIRR train stations.

Responsibilities:

• Commercial Transaction / Business / Corporate work, including advising ownership and management of privately-held companies at the startup through exit stages of growth.
• Counsel clients and run key areas of Commercial Transactional / Business / Corporate matters, such as buying, closing, forming, structuring and selling businesses, mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance, compliance matters, etc.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts.
• Compose / Create Operating / Shareholder / Employment Agreements.
• If experienced in this area: Handle client negotiations through closings related to commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, leasing, and financing activities.

Qualifications:

• 4+ years of (post J.D.) Commercial Transactional / Corporate / Business area of law REQUIRED
• Licensed to practice law in NY REQUIRED
• J.D. REQUIRED
• Relevant work experience related to commercial real estate is a plus but NOT required
• Portable book of business - see above
• Exceptional business acumen REQUIRED, able to counsel clients re diverse business matters
• Accountable self-starter with a high EQ, able to own and operate client relationships / cases beginning to end, motivated to continue learning and taking on new responsibilities

Contact: For a confidential discussion, please provide your confidential resume to David Rivard, Director of Recruiting at Executive Alliance, at

Executive Alliance is a 28-year search firm based on Long Island with clients based nationally, and 15 recruiting pros with in-industry experience in the functional disciplines aligned with their recruiting focus.

NOTE:

Please note this client is NOT OPEN to:

• Candidates requiring sponsorship to work for companies in the U.S.
• Relocation package for candidates living outside commuting distance of western Long Island

Research Analyst - Corporate (Law Firm Library)

Research & Knowledge Management Services

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. Our clients look to us to bring a distinctively high degree of quality, intensity and creativity to resolve legal challenges effectively and cost efficiently. We believe in hiring talented and dedicated individuals as members of our administrative community. We draw on the strength of our culture and structure to deliver the best of our Firm to our lawyers and clients through true collaboration.

We are seeking a savvy and dynamic Research Analyst - Corporate, to join our highly collaborative Research & Knowledge Management team. This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a premier global law firm by providing high-level litigation and business research support to attorneys, legal assistants, and Business Development professionals across practice groups. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of transactional research tools, a proactive mindset, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

The role follows a hybrid work model, blending in-person collaboration with remote flexibility in accordance with firm guidelines.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide high-quality, customized corporate, transactional, and business research services to attorneys, legal assistants, and the Business Development team in support of client matters and firm initiatives.
• Conduct in-depth SEC filings, securities laws, and corporate precedent research to support sophisticated transactional and business matters.
• Serve as the research liaison for the M&A practice group, including Healthcare M&A, Insurance, and other practice areas as designated by the Research Manager.
• Apply strong analytical judgment to identify, evaluate, and synthesize information, delivering accurate and timely research tailored to attorney and client needs.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously, using effective planning and project management skills to meet demanding deadlines while operating within established budgetary parameters.
• Produce and disseminate curated current-awareness and competitive intelligence to support the information needs of the Firm's corporate practice groups.
• Maintain and enhance practice-specific intranet research pages, ensuring content is current, relevant, and accessible.
• Assist with general research tasks and projects as required.
• Assist with onboarding and research orientation sessions for new associates and Summer Programs.
• Participate in additional research projects and provide support to the department as required.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated expertise in corporate, transactional, and business research methodologies.
• Possesses a strong knowledge of transactional precedent research and SEC filings.
• Proficiency with a wide array of research databases and tools, including: Intelligize, Bloomberg Terminal, CIQ, Preqin, Factset, Refinitiv, PitchBook, Deal Point Data, Lexis+, Westlaw, VitalLaw, Practical Law, among others.
• Utilizes appropriate fee based and non-metered resources to provide excellent practice support in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Strong attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative, client-service-oriented approach.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing to a team-oriented culture.
• . Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Minimum of 5 years of corporate/Transactional research experience at an AmLaw 50 firm or equivalent legal environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Library & Information Science (M.L.S./M.L.I.S.) from an ALA-accredited institution and/or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Knowledge of basic litigation, securities law, and tax research a plus.

TO APPLY:

A resume and cover letter are required to apply for this position. Please tell us where you saw this position posted and send required materials to:

Taria Yarborough

Human Resources

Sr. Human Resources Generalist

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other legally protected category in accordance with U.S. law.

LHH Recruitment Solutions is working with an AmLaw NYC firm that is seeking Private Client talent for its Chambers Ranked practice. Details below:

· You will counsel ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and their entities on all aspects of trusts & estates planning and wealth transfer strategies, serving as a trusted advisor on sensitive family wealth matters –

o Drafting and implementing robust estate plans tailored to each client's financial and personal objectives;

o Developing strategies to minimize estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes to protect and preserve client wealth;

o Assisting fiduciaries with administering estates and trusts – providing guidance through probate proceedings, preparing required filings and advising on the efficient distribution of assets; and

o Working closely with clients' broader advisory team (financial planners, accountants) and alongside the firm's tax and corporate attorneys to address complex ownership structures, business succession plans, and cross-disciplinary issues that arise in high-value estates.

· With an immersive 360-degree experience, this position is great steppingstone to in-house, if that is one of your career goals.

· This firm is renowned for its friendly, collaborative culture and strong commitment to attorney development and retention. They prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term burnout – with a soft target of ~1850 hours/year (you can bill 1600 and be in good standing, for instance).

· Elevation typically occurs in the 10th year of practice.

· Cravath-scale salary.

· Hybrid work setup (in-office 3 days a week – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and one flex day of your choice).

*Current experience as a trust & estate associate at an AmLaw firm is required*

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Unispace is a global leader in workplace design, strategy, and construction, delivering innovative environments for some of the world's most recognized organizations. Operating across 50+ countries, we bring together strategy, design, and delivery to create spaces that help businesses perform at their best.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking for a Mid-Level Attorney / Legal Counsel to join our legal team in New York. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and project teams, providing practical legal advice across a range of commercial and operational matters.

This is a commercially focused, in-house legal role where you will be embedded within the business, supporting project delivery teams and advising on a variety of contractual and risk-related matters.

You will play a key role in ensuring contracts are effectively structured, risks are managed appropriately, and the business can continue to deliver projects successfully for clients across the U.S.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a range of commercial agreements and project contracts
• Provide legal support across construction, real estate, and commercial matters
• Advise internal stakeholders on contractual risk, liability, and dispute management
• Work closely with project delivery and commercial teams to support project execution
• Provide practical legal guidance to senior leadership and operational teams
• Assist with developing and improving internal legal processes and contract templates
• Support the business in managing legal and commercial risk across projects

Requirements

• 3–5 years' post-qualified experience (PQE) in a law firm or in-house role
• Experience in construction, real estate, or commercial contracts
• Admission to the New York Bar (or eligibility to be admitted)
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills
• A practical, commercially minded approach to legal advice
• Ability to work closely with non-legal stakeholders in a fast-paced environment

Why Join Unispace

• Opportunity to work with a globally recognised workplace design and construction business
• Exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision making
• A collaborative, fast-paced, and entrepreneurial culture
• Hybrid working environment
• Competitive salary and benefits

Firm Overview:

This award-winning, mid-sized, Am Law 200 firm is headquartered in New York City and has 200+ attorneys. The firm spans across three offices -- in addition to their headquarters in NYC, they also have offices in both Miami and Los Angeles. The three locations serve a diverse client base around the globe. No matter the office or location, they are known for getting the job done right, and doing it with integrity, efficiency, and style.

They offer an informal, friendly atmosphere that inspires hard work, growth, and balance and a team-oriented, collegial structure which encourages associates to take on responsibility to foster and expedite their development as litigators. Being entrepreneurial to develop client relationships of their own is something that is encouraged and is expected of their associates.

Overall, they enjoy a remarkably low attrition rate as the vast majority of lawyers who join the firm wind up staying because they find a firm where they can be themselves, build the practices they want, and achieve a well-balanced life.

Requirements:

• Excellent professional and academic credentials, overall.
• 2 JD graduate with an impressive GPA from a top law school.
• Extensive experience in US and foreign trademark clearance, counseling and prosecution.
• Extensive experience reviewing full search reports and preparing formal assessments regarding availability of trademarks for use and registration.
• Extensive experience preparing preliminary trademark assessments.
• Experience overseeing paralegals in the preparation of applications and other federal trademark filings, including the creation of acceptable identification of goods and services.
• Experience handling and assisting in due diligence acquisitions and divestitures.
• Excellent communication, writing, research and organizational skills, required.
• Copyright prosecution experience, a plus.
• NY, CA or FL Bar admission, required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• $215,000 to $250,000/year base salary - The salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include, but are not limited to, years of experience within the job, years of experience within the required industry, education, etc
• This firm offers a comprehensive benefits package.
• Hybrid work schedule offered in NY and LA.

The description above is intended to reflect general duties and responsibilities and is not to be interpreted as all-encompassing. Nothing in this job description restricts the Firm's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP ("CFM") is a prestigious boutique law firm based in San Francisco with a robust national practice, serving hedge fund managers, venture fund managers, and other asset managers. Our firm has the largest hedge fund practice in California, launching approximately 250 funds annually. CFM is recognized for its pioneering work with non-traditional asset classes, including cryptocurrency and digital assets.

We offer flexibility with remote work and are proud to serve an impressive client base. CFM has been at the forefront of digital asset management developments for the past five years. Our attorneys have a billable target of 1,500 hours per year.

Position Summary: Corporate and Securities Associate

CFM is seeking a Corporate & Securities Associate to join our Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Practice in one of our offices in the Bay Area, New York, or Denver. The Associate will engage in a wide range of corporate and securities transactions, with a strong focus on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital asset-related financial products. This role involves advising on securities laws and regulations, assisting with onshore and offshore compliance, and supporting transactions such as private placements, venture capital financings, institutional debt and equity financings, restricted stock transfers, and mergers and acquisitions.

The ideal candidate will have experience with cryptocurrency, digital assets, token offerings, and emerging legal issues in fintech.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on federal and state securities laws and regulations, including SEC, Blue Sky, and NYSE compliance.
• Support offerings under Regulations A, D, S, and CF, and oversee entity formation and management contracts.
• Advise on legal aspects of token compensation and issuances, Security Token Offerings (STOs), stablecoins, exchanges and trading platforms, and other blockchain-related financial products.
• Apply advanced knowledge of the legal landscape in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital assets.
• Demonstrate expertise in FINRA and broker-dealer issues and advise on ETFs, including regulatory filings, compliance, and board matters.
• Conduct legal research and provide guidance on emerging legal issues in securities, cryptocurrency, and fintech.
• Collaborate with offshore counsel and clients' internal teams (finance, compliance, and product development) to ensure legal compliance and mitigate risks.
• Assist with capital markets transactions and special corporate projects, including token treasury management, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.

Requirements:

• Active membership (in good standing or pending) with the California, New York, or Colorado State Bar.
• Minimum of 3 years of legal experience in securities law, with at least 2 years focused on cryptocurrency, blockchain, and digital assets.
• Strong expertise in securities laws, including the 1933 and 1934 Acts, and experience with hedge fund formation, ICOs, STOs, and blockchain-related financial products.
• In-depth understanding of federal and state securities laws, SEC regulations, FINRA, and broker-dealer issues.
• Experience advising on ETFs, smart contracts, and the regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
• Familiarity with the Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, offshore funds, and parallel fund structures is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail, along with excellent analytical, research, and drafting skills.
• Experience working with or within regulatory agencies such as the SEC or other relevant authorities.

Compensation & Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary, 401(k), 401(k) match, profit sharing, paid time off, paid holidays, paid CLEs, and a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental plans.

Compensation Range: $115k - $225k (based on experience)

CFM is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse community of professionals.

Interested candidates should send their resume, cover letter, writing samples, and any questions to:

Please note: at this time, we are not accepting agency submissions.

About Us:

Founded in 1992, Cerberus is a global leader in alternative investing with approximately $67 billion in assets across complementary credit, private equity, and real estate strategies. We invest across the capital structure where our integrated investment platforms and proprietary operating capabilities create an edge to improve performance and drive long-term value. Our tenured teams have experience working collaboratively across asset classes, sectors, and geographies to seek strong risk-adjusted returns for our investors. For more information about our people and platforms, visit us at is Cerberus Ventures?

"Great-power competition" has changed – Visionary commercial technology is the new battleground, and nations are increasingly directing resources toward longer-term, existential challenges, from energy and food security to public health, labor productivity, and national security. Governments can't solve the problems alone; private capital will be needed to invest in disruptive technologies that are poised to accelerate solutions. Cerberus Ventures is a dedicated investment platform that backs pioneering advancements in critical technologies addressing these challenges. We invest from Seed to Series B across 6 verticals: Processing & Microelectronics, Energy Infrastructure, Networks & Communications, AI- Enabled Productivity, Synthetic & Programmable Biology, and Physical & Digital Assurance. Our team is led by a unique group of experienced investors from In-Q-Tel, Cerberus, and global technology firms.

As a Venture Fellow, you will help identify and research opportunities across one of these verticals (or specific subsegments of these verticals). This role is ideal for those interested in career opportunities in venture capital, startups, and technology.

Responsibilities:

• Technical due diligence: Assist Cerberus investment professionals in company / industry research and due diligence
• Evaluate the technical merits and competitive differentiation of investment opportunities
• Qualify the source of technical differentiation (review patents, understand and explain proprietary processes, etc.)
• Assess technical risks and opportunities of product roadmaps
• Thesis development: Distill findings into comprehensive reports
• Sourcing: Identify new investment opportunities. Leverage personal and Cerberus networks to meet with entrepreneurs and thought leaders
• Market mapping: Contribute to our industry deep-dives. Cerberus Ventures takes a thematic approach, researching the ecosystems (including emerging technologies, competitive landscapes, supply chains, etc.) of our focus markets and subsegments

Key Requirements:

• Current post-doc or PhD candidates in cybersecurity, computer science, AI, or related field
• Deep technical understanding of networked and distributed system architectures, application and cloud security, and well-versed in the latest applications of AI to the security stack.
• Ability (or deep curiosity / willingness) to bridge technical research to commercial insights – e.g., How do the target company's specs align with customer needs? What would it take for competition to displace the target company's technology? How feasible is the technology's path to operationalization / commercialization?

Preferred knowledge of:

• The startup landscape in cybersecurity
• The relevant regulatory and policy landscape

A leading NYC real estate litigation platform is expanding its team and hiring an attorney with strong Housing Court and Supreme Court experience representing property owners, developers, and managing agents.

This role offers immediate substantive responsibility, frequent courtroom exposure, and the opportunity to handle complex real estate disputes within a sophisticated owner-side practice.

Base salary typically ranges from $185K to $300K depending on experience, with performance bonus and long-term growth potential.

Interviews are expected to begin shortly.

What You'll Handle

• Represent owners, developers, and managing agents in residential and commercial real estate disputes

• Appear regularly in NYC Housing Court and Supreme Court

• Independently draft and argue motions

• Handle holdovers, non-payment proceedings, regulatory disputes, and high-exposure litigation matters

• Participate in litigation strategy and direct client counseling

Ideal Background

• 5+ years of real estate litigation experience

• Strong Housing Court and Supreme Court exposure

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage cases and draft motions

• Experience representing landlords, owners, or managing agents

• NY Bar admission in good standing

Senior-level candidates may take on leadership responsibilities, mentoring junior attorneys and managing complex matters.

Portable business is welcomed but not required.

Why This Opportunity

• Substantive litigation work with real courtroom responsibility

• Sophisticated owner-side platform with steady case flow

• Hybrid schedule and collaborative team structure

• Competitive compensation with performance bonus

• Clear path for long-term growth within the litigation group