Adam M. Abensohn

Adam Abensohn is an accomplished trial lawyer, and was named AmLaw’s “Litigator of the Week” after prevailing at trial against Citibank in a high-profile matter in 2021. Mr. Abensohn has also successfully defended a major cosmetics manufacturer in multiple suits alleging asbestos contamination in cosmetic talcum powder, with victories at trial and on appeal. He has also successfully litigated high stakes claims against the major Wall Street Banks in connection with the 2008 financial crisis. In addition to having litigated a wide range of civil cases, including disputes involving complex financial instruments and product liability defense, Mr. Abensohn has handled numerous white collar criminal matters and appeals.

Before joining the firm in 2008, Mr. Abensohn was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, where he served as lead trial counsel in prosecutions involving charges ranging from insurance and bank fraud to narcotics and gun trafficking, and appeared several times before the Second Circuit. Mr. Abensohn also served twice as a law clerk to the Hon. Sonia Sotomayor, in the Southern District of New York and in the Second Circuit. In addition, Mr. Abensohn was an Adjunct Professor for several years at Fordham Law School, and has been a panelist and speaker on a range of topics, including trial practice and large-scale litigation related to the residential mortgage-backed securities crisis.

  • Notable Representations

    Trial and appellate counsel for AT&T in multiple matters, prevailed at trial against Mexican conglomerate in dispute over tax indemnification following a corporate acquisition, and currently representing the company in Delaware Chancery Court action by 14 regional cellular partnerships challenging revenue and expense distributions.

    Trial counsel for ten fund managers, including Brigade, H.P.S. and Symphony, against Citibank, which was seeking to recoup more than $500 million it had mistakenly transferred in connection with a 2016 Revlon Term Loan. Following a one week bench trial in the Southern District of New York, at which Mr. Abensohn delivered the closing argument, the Court issued a 100-page decision ruling in favor of Quinn Emanuel’s clients, holding that they were under no obligation to return the disputed funds. Mr. Abensohn and his Quinn Emanuel trial partners were named AmLaw “Litigators of the Week,” and the verdict was reported as a “huge win” by the major news outlets (e.g., Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, etc.)

    Counsel for Colgate-Palmolive in multiple actions, throughout the United States, successfully defending claims by plaintiffs alleging serious illness from the use of cosmetic talcum powder. Mr. Abensohn served as counsel for Colgate at trial in Los Angeles, where he secured a complete defense verdict, and argued successfully to uphold that verdict before the Court of Appeals. Mr. Abensohn has also argued successfully to exclude scientific experts and for summary judgment in similar actions in multiple jurisdictions, including in New York, Maryland and Wisconsin.

  • Bar Admissions/Professional Qualifications

    The State Bar of New York

    United States District Court:

    Southern District of New York

    Eastern District of New York

  • Education

    Georgetown University Law Center

    University of Michigan