Testifying at Depositions and Trials

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DEREK E. LEON is a founding partner of Leon Cosgrove, LLC and a Chamber-Ranked Commercial Litigator who has tried numerous complex cases to verdict in state and federal courts across the country. Mr. León is praised by Chambers for his “wide range of litigation and trial skills,” including his “excellent sense of strategy” and oral advocacy skills. Chambers also underscores his expertise in complex disputes “across a wide array of sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, technology, and real estate.” In addition to his twenty (20) years of first-chair trial experience in both state and federal courts across the nation, Mr. León also has first-chair arbitration experience in national and international arbitration forums. He has also handled appeals in both state and federal courts in a number of jurisdictions.

John is a trial lawyer who handles every case with a view towards winning at trial. As both a former federal prosecutor and federal appellate law clerk, John brings both a cerebral and practical approach to case development and strategy. Given his philosophy and experience, it is no surprise that high-profile clients have trusted him with their cases, including a former head of state, a prominent NCAA head basketball coach, and high-level city and federal officials. John represents plaintiffs in cases involving serious injury, death, or consumer fraud. He also represents defendants in select white-collar criminal matters. Prior to co-founding Maderal Byrne & Furst PLLC, he was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. During his time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, John charged over 60 cases, including numerous fraud cases. He took 16 of these cases to trial, serving as first chair ten times and second chair six times. During his time as a prosecutor, he developed an extensive knowledge of federal law, including federal statutory law, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. John also has extensive federal appellate experience. In addition to having argued appeals before multiple United States Courts of Appeal, he served as the law clerk to Judge Jeffrey R. Howard of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Prior to his time as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, John practiced with Ropes & Gray LLP, where he focused on internal investigations, regulatory enforcement matters, and complex commercial disputes. REPRESENTATIONS Obtained a $66 million award for alternative energy client following a three week arbitration hearing in Chicago. Proved that wind turbine manufacturer supplied client with defective wind turbine blades. Represented a Latin American former head of state in extradition proceedings, obtained an order releasing said individual on bond and dealt with numerous issues of first impression. Represented energy company in fraud action in federal court, resulting in a $10 million settlement. Represented prominent former NCAA basketball coach in connection with federal investigation arising out of Southern District of New York. No charges filed. Represented former State Department official in connection with high-profile federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida, successfully obtaining protective order governing his testimony.

LAURIE U. MATHEWS is a partner at Leon Cosgrove, LLC where she focuses her practice on complex commercial and business litigation in federal and state courts nationwide. Ms. Mathews litigates complex contractual disputes, and claims involving non-compete covenants, trade secrets, deceptive business practices, consumer product defects, and franchise and distributor relationships. Prior to joining León Cosgrove, Ms. Mathews was a partner in the Miami office of Hunton & Williams, LLP, where she represented many of that firm’s institutional clients in the consumer products and financial sectors. Ms. Mathews also has significant experience in corporate governance, designing and implementing corporate compliance programs, and conducting internal investigations on a variety of issues, including money laundering. Ms. Mathews graduated from Harvard University, cum laude, in June, 1993; and received her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, in May 1997.