We practice in six areas. We dominate in all of them. That's not arrogance — it's the record.
High-stakes commercial disputes, shareholder litigation, M&A disputes, and breach of contract claims in state and federal courts nationwide. We have tried more nine-figure commercial cases to verdict than any firm in New York.
Federal criminal defense, regulatory investigations, SEC enforcement, and government inquiries. Our white collar team includes three former U.S. federal prosecutors. We know exactly how the other side thinks, because several of us were the other side.
ICC, LCIA, ICSID, and AAA arbitration proceedings. Cross-border disputes, investor-state claims, and treaty arbitration. Our international team has argued before arbitral tribunals in 28 countries and obtained awards totalling over $1.4 billion.
Fund formation disputes, leveraged buyout litigation, lender liability, and financial institution defense. We represent both sides of the capital table and have acted in matters involving aggregate deal values exceeding $80 billion.
Patent infringement, trade secret theft, trademark disputes, and copyright litigation. We have handled IP matters for four of the world's ten most valuable technology companies and secured jury verdicts in excess of $800 million in patent cases alone.
High-value property disputes, construction defect claims, REIT litigation, and landlord-tenant matters at the institutional level. Our real estate team has litigated disputes involving properties with aggregate values exceeding $12 billion.
Every partner at Vael has tried cases to verdict. Not managed them. Not settled them. Tried them.
Vael & Partners was founded in 1992 by Marcus Vael, a former Southern District of New York federal prosecutor who believed that most litigation firms were built to settle and that the world needed a firm built to try. Thirty-three years later, that decision has produced a 97% trial win rate and $4.2 billion in verdicts and settlements.
We are selective about the cases we take. We accept approximately 12% of enquiries. This is not arrogance — it is discipline. We only take cases we intend to win, and we only take cases where a client's interests are genuinely better served by our representation than by any other firm. If we believe another firm is better positioned to serve you, we will tell you.
We have offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Our client list includes fourteen Fortune 100 companies, six sovereign wealth funds, three heads of state, and more than 200 high-net-worth individuals who require counsel that operates with absolute discretion.
"Vael & Partners secured a $1.4 billion jury verdict — the largest commercial verdict in New York state history — on behalf of our client in a complex shareholder dispute involving allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by the company's controlling shareholders."
12-count federal indictment. Former C-suite executive facing 40+ years. David Osei secured full acquittal on all counts after a 6-week jury trial in the Eastern District of New York.
Elena Vael led a four-year ICC arbitration on behalf of an international energy consortium against a sovereign state. Final award of $840 million including compound interest and full costs.
Keiko Tanaka tried a 5-week patent infringement case to a jury verdict of $620 million — the second-largest patent verdict in California history. Defendant's appeal dismissed in full.
Every client reference available on request. Confidentiality maintained as standard.
"When the other side filed, every firm in New York told us to settle. Vael told us to fight. Fourteen months later we had a $480 million verdict. Marcus Vael doesn't just try cases — he dismantles the other side's position so completely that by the time closing arguments arrive, the outcome feels inevitable."
"I was facing a 40-year sentence. David Osei got me acquitted on every count. I cannot explain what that means. What I can tell you is that if you are facing federal prosecution and you can retain Vael, you retain Vael. There is no second opinion worth having."
"Elena Vael argued our case before an ICC tribunal in Paris, London, and Geneva over four years. The award of $840 million was the largest our industry had seen in a decade. Her command of international arbitration law is without peer. The other side's lead counsel told us after the award that she was the finest advocate he had faced in thirty years."
Every enquiry is reviewed personally by a senior partner. We accept approximately 12% of matters brought to us. If we are not the right firm for your situation, we will tell you directly — and recommend the counsel we believe is. No retainer is requested until we are both satisfied the relationship serves your interests.