Andrew Ditchfield
Civil litigator focused on M&A-related litigation, contract disputes, securities litigation and shareholder derivative suits. Significant trial experience.
Andrew’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation in a variety of areas, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisition-related litigation, contract disputes, securities litigation and shareholder derivative suits.
He also advises clients on transaction-related and regulatory matters. His clients include U.S. and international companies, as well as their boards and officers.
Experience
Recent Trial Experience
- The Williams Companies and its board of directors in breach of fiduciary duty action in the Delaware Court of Chancery relating to a shareholder rights plan
- The Williams Companies in breach of contract action in the Delaware Court of Chancery to enjoin an IPO of a joint venture
- Former directors and officers of Alphonso, Inc. in Delaware Chancery Court litigation
- Commodities client in breach of contract action in New York state court
- Multinational company in a confidential arbitration matter involving a multi-billion dollar contract
Recent M&A Litigation Experience
- ExxonMobil in books and records action brought in connection with its $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer
- A global technology and software company in litigation challenging its acquisition of AspenTech
- Baker Hughes in appraisal and shareholder derivative actions relating to its merger with GE Oil and Gas
- A global healthcare company in fiduciary duty and appraisal litigation relating to its acquisition of a drug delivery company
- Avangrid in fiduciary duty litigation relating to its acquisition by Iberdrola
- Major foodservice solutions company in breach of contract action in Illinois Chancery Court relating to a potential transaction
- Special committee of MSG Networks in litigation challenging its acquisition by MSG Entertainment
- Special committee of Eargo in litigation challenging its acquisition by Patient Square
- Special committee of Hemisphere Media in litigation challenging its acquisition by Searchlight Capital Partners LP
Recent Securities Litigation Experience
- ExxonMobil in Section 14(a) securities litigation and fiduciary duty litigation challenging its adoption of a retail voting program
- Masonite International Corporation in Section 10(b) securities litigation relating to its acquisition by Owens Corning
- National Instruments in Section 10(b) securities litigation relating to its acquisition by Emerson Electric
- Avangrid in Section 14(a) securities litigation relating to its acquisition by Iberdrola
- Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. in Section 10(b) securities litigation relating to alleged misstatements about electric vehicle rental demand
- Cepton in Section 10(b) and Section 14(a) securities litigation relating to its acquisition by Koito
- ExxonMobil in Section 12 securities litigation relating to its acquisition of InterOil Corporation
News
Recognition
Chambers USA – Litigation: Securities, New York
Benchmark Litigation – New York, Star
Legal 500 U.S. – General Commercial Disputes, Next Generation Partner
Education
- magna cum laude
- Order of the Coif
- Editor in Chief, Georgetown Law Journal
- magna cum laude
- with distinction
Clerkships
Qualifications and admissions
- State of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court, E.D. New York
- U.S. District Court, N.D. Ohio
- U.S. District Court, S.D. New York