Overview
Industry Experience
Adam Derman is a skilled litigator who routinely serves as lead counsel in trials, injunction proceedings, arbitrations and appeals. A trusted advisor, Adam also provides strategic counsel to his clients in order to efficiently resolve complex, and often sensitive, business disputes.
Commercial Litigation Practice
Adam’s litigation practice focuses on contract and commercial disputes; trade secret and restrictive covenant litigation; enforcing and protecting shareholder rights; real estate and estate-related litigation; and professional liability defense. He has been appointed by state and federal court judges to the positions of Provisional Director, Discovery Master, Receiver and Guardian.
Business Counseling
Adam works closely with general counsel and business executives, advising on a broad range of issues, including corporate governance, employee rights and restrictions and contract issues. For those companies without an in-house legal advisor, he acts as outside general counsel.
Prior to joining CSG, Adam served as a litigator in the Washington, D.C. office of Baker & Hostetler.
Adam received his J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School, where he served as the Notes Editor for the George Washington Law Review.
*Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Honors
- Included in Chambers USA, New Jersey Litigation: General Commercial (2017-2023)
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Litigation – Real Estate; Litigation – Trusts and Estates (2007-2024); Litigation – Intellectual Property (2007-2023)
Recognized as a “Lawyer of the Year” for the Newark metro area, Trusts and Estates Litigation (2016) - Selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list, Business Litigation (2009-2023)
- Included in NJBIZ, Law Power 50 (2023)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Rating
Award Methodology
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Involvement
- Duke University Annual Fund, Advisory Board Member (September 2021 – present)
- Federal Bar Association, Former Trustee
- Essex County Bar Association, General Equity Section, Former Chair
Education
- The George Washington University Law School (J.D., with honors, 1992)
- Duke University (A.B., 1989)
Admissions
- New Jersey
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Overview
- Obtained a broad temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against a client’s former CFO and minority shareholder for stealing in excess of $6 million, counseling the client through the investigation and discovery of the fraud, the dismissal of the employee, referral to federal prosecutors and the recovery of assets. The case resulted in the forfeiture of the minority owner’s shares and a multi-million judgment.
- Secured a $2.5 million settlement for a financial services firm whose owner was falsely accused of stealing trade secrets.
- Represented one of the largest Churches in New Jersey in a high-profile challenge by former trustees to the actions of the current Pastor and Trustees, obtaining a complete dismissal of the case on constitutional grounds.
- Represented a global spirits company in obtaining a dismissal of claims against one of its foreign subsidiaries on jurisdictional grounds.
- Represented an international diagnostics company in disputes with joint venture partners, successfully resolving each through alternative dispute resolution process.
- Defended a national recording artist in trademark litigation where the plaintiff was attempting to stop the recording artist’s use of its name, obtaining a judgment on behalf of the artist dismissing the case. Machine Head v. Dewey Global Holdings, Inc., 61 U.S.P.Q.2d 1313 (N.D. Ca. 2001)
- Obtained a judgment of liability and a dismissal of all counterclaims on behalf of an international food distributor who sued a senior level employee for disclosing confidential sales information to a potential competitor and then faced counterclaims for wrongful discharge and whistleblower violations.
- Secured a preliminary injunction for a professional services firm that prohibited a former partner from soliciting customers and employees of the firm, despite the absence of a restrictive covenant or non-compete agreement.
- Successfully represented major national title insurance companies in multi-million dollar fraud cases, mortgage priority disputes and other complex title insurance matters.
*Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.