Overview

Caroline Walters, Co-Managing Partner of RJLF’s New York office, has broad experience analyzing intricate situations and developing streamlined strategies tailored to her clients’ goals.

Ranked among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America, her practice focuses on the defense and prosecution of multi-million-dollar commercial disputes, including contract disputes, trade secret disputes, securities fraud, and business torts primarily in the areas of energy, finance, and real estate. Her clients include investment funds, energy companies, major real estate developers, and high-net-worth individuals.

Representative Matters

• Represents Arconic, Inc. in a trade secret dispute with Universal Alloy Corporation. The case is pending in the Northern District of Georgia and involves allegations that UAC stole trade secrets used to manufacture airplane wing components in order to divert over $200 million in sales from Arconic. The representation includes defense of antitrust counterclaims.

• Represented music producer Quincy Jones against Michael Jackson’s production company, MJJ Productions, Inc., in winning a $9.4 million jury verdict in a breach of contract and royalty dispute in California state court.

• Represented plaintiff senior note purchasers in a case in the Central District of California against Warburg Pincus and FTI Consulting alleging securities violations, fraud and negligent misrepresentations relating to the Rural/Metro ambulance company.

• Represented San Diego Gas & Electric in a contract dispute with NaturEner relating to a nearly $300 million investment in a Montana wind farm and the purchase of green attributes generated by the wind farm. The case involved complex energy and investment contracts, and centered on the question of whether the wind farm required eagle take permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The representation involved pursuit of SDG&E’s case in California state court and the defense of a parallel action filed by NaturEner in Montana state court, which was dismissed by the Montana Supreme Court. The case ultimately was successfully resolved at the conclusion of discovery.

• Represented lenders in lawsuits arising out the financial collapse of the Fontainebleau Resort and Casino project in Las Vegas including a lawsuit against Bank of America, as bank agent and disbursement agent, for breach of contract in the Southern District of Florida and the Fontainebleau directors and officers for fraud and negligent misrepresentation in Nevada state court. The lawsuits were settled for more than $400 million. 

• Represented real estate companies and developers, including Thomas Properties Group, Inc. and Robert Maguire, in a connection with various complex, multi-million-dollar contract disputes.

• Represented Wilshire Consulting in cases arising out of alleged advice relating to investments offered by Westridge Capital Management.

• Represented defendants in an ERISA action relating to the stock purchase of Kelly Moore Paint’s employee stock option plan.

Rankings & Honors

• Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America (2022-2023)

• Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Southern California (2010-2018)

• Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The Fellowship is invitation only and comprised of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellows are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation and reputation.

• Top Young Lawyer in Southern California as recognized by Los Angeles Magazine (July 2010, July 2011, July 2012, July 2013, July 2014, July 2016, July 2017, July 2018)

• Outstanding Young Women Lawyer in Southern California as recognized by Los Angeles Magazine (October 2012, September 2014, September 2015, September 2016, September 2017, September 2018)

• Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Southern California (2010-2018)

• Publications editor, Berkeley Business Law Journal

Community & Professional Activities

Caroline devotes a portion of her practice to public interest matters. Caroline has represented low-income individuals in various matters including in a prisoner’s rights case and in social security administrative proceedings. Caroline has also represented the family of innocent Yemeni drone victims in a lawsuit against the Obama administration. Her pro bono efforts have included providing assistance to domestic violence victims in applying for restraining orders. 

Caroline serves on Law360’s New York Editorial Advisory Board. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, and is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. 

Publications & Speaking Engagements 

• “Addressing Stranded Assets for Natural Gas Utilities,” AGA Annual Legal Forum (July 2022)

• Panelist, “Powerful Partnerships, Pairs of Women Clients and Their Outside Counsel,” sponsored by The New Girls’ Network (2016)

• Speaker, “eDiscovery in 2013: What you need to know,” The Knowledge Congress Webcast Series (2013)

• “Navigating e-discovery,” The Computer & Internet Lawyer (April 2012)