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Litigation and Dispute Resolution

The Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice represents clients in high-stakes disputes across all stages of litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Attorneys in this practice are trusted advocates for corporations, institutions, executives, and individuals involved in complex commercial, regulatory, and civil controversies.

With a focus on strategic risk management and practical outcomes, the practice combines deep trial experience with strong negotiation capabilities to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively—whether through courtroom litigation or negotiated settlement.

Core services include:

  • Commercial Litigation
    • Representation in breach of contract cases, business torts, partnership and shareholder disputes, fraud claims, and complex multi-party litigation in state and federal courts.
  • Corporate and Securities Litigation
    • Defense of companies, boards, and officers in shareholder derivative suits, securities class actions, fiduciary duty claims, and internal governance disputes.
  • Employment and Labor Disputes
    • Litigating claims involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations, non-compete enforcement, and retaliation claims before courts and administrative agencies.
  • Real Estate and Construction Litigation
    • Handling disputes involving real estate transactions, leases, construction contracts, mechanic’s liens, zoning, and development rights.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
    • Advocating in arbitration proceedings (AAA, JAMS, ICC, etc.), mediation sessions, and informal settlement negotiations. Counseling clients on contractual dispute resolution clauses and enforcement of arbitral awards.
  • Regulatory and Government Investigations
    • Representing clients in enforcement actions, subpoenas, and investigations by federal and state agencies (SEC, DOJ, FTC, state attorneys general, and others).
  • Internal Investigations and Crisis Response
    • Conducting privileged internal investigations into allegations of misconduct, fraud, compliance violations, or whistleblower claims. Advising boards and executives on litigation exposure and mitigation.
  • Appellate Advocacy
    • Handling civil appeals and writs in state and federal appellate courts. Advising trial counsel on preserving issues for appeal and developing appellate strategy.

The following individuals practice in this area:

Richard Kaufman Rene Del Barco Alexandra Ong James Waite Anthony Poulos
Richard Kaufman

Richard Kaufman

Senior Attorney; Corporate, Litigation, M&A

Richard Kaufman, Esq. is a seasoned corporate and litigation attorney with over 30 years of experience in both public service and private practice. He previously served for nine years as a trial attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver, where he specialized in employment discrimination litigation and represented the federal government in over four hundred cases, including complex tort claims involving medical malpractice and catastrophic injury. Prior to his tenure with the Department of Justice, Mr. Kaufman served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Colorado for seven years. In this role, he led the Enforcement Division, overseeing litigation related to securities, tax, Medicaid, and consumer fraud. He also served as the Attorney General’s liaison to the Governor and the Colorado General Assembly, providing legal analysis on enrolled legislation and presenting the Attorney General’s legislative agenda through testimony before key committees. Mr. Kaufman is a veteran of the United States Air Force and brings a disciplined, strategic approach to legal advocacy and public policy. Mr. Kaufman’s practice focuses on the following: He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at RCK@jwlinternational.com.
Rene Del Barco

Rene Del Barco

Legal Intern

Rene Del Barco is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound’s Coolidge Otis Chapman Honors Program, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with minors in mathematics and bioethics. During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Del Barco was the three-year captain of the Varsity Men’s Tennis Team and received the Robin Hamilton Award for Attitude and Effort contributing to team achievement. He is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor at The George Washington University Law School with a concentration in International Business Law. At The George Washington University Law School, he is actively involved in mock trial and the Student Bar Association. Mr. Del Barco brings a multidisciplinary background in healthcare and construction to support a practical and analytical approach to problem-solving in high-pressure environments. In his free time Mr. Del Barco sits on the Chapter Advisory Board for the Phi Delta Theta Washington Delta Chapter and has been selected to serve on the Alumni Leadership Circle for Regis Jesuit High School. Mr. Del Barco is fluent in English and Spanish and conversational in French, enabling him to engage effectively across diverse cultural and professional settings. Mr. Del Barco works with our attorneys in the following areas: He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at RDB@jwlinternational.com.
Alexandra Ong

Alexandra Ong

Associate Attorney

Ms. Ong is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and a Certificate in International Business Studies from Texas A&M University, graduating magna cum laude. Since joining JWL International in 2023, Ms. Ong has worked on a broad range of complex domestic and international business matters. She brings experience in manufacturer–dealer representation, business transactions, international legal research, regulatory analysis, and dispute resolution. Her work reflects a strong commitment to delivering thoughtful, business-oriented legal solutions. Ms. Ong’s practice focuses on the following: She can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at ALO@jwlinternational.com.
James Waite

James Waite

Founder

James R. Waite, Esq. is a seasoned corporate and transactional attorney with over three decades of experience in the acquisition, sale, and leasing of businesses, equipment, and real estate. Throughout his career, Mr. Waite has held executive leadership roles—including General Counsel, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer—across a diverse range of industries, from aviation to equipment leasing. He is the author of the American Rental Association’s definitive guide on rental contracts and has contributed extensively to national and international publications such as Equipment World, RER Magazine, International Rental News, Rental Magazine, ForConstructionPros, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Mr. Waite is also a frequent speaker at industry association conferences, where he shares insights on legal and operational best practices. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Mr. Waite holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University. Mr. Waite’s practice focuses on the following: He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at JRW@jwlinternational.com.
Anthony Poulos

Anthony Poulos

Associate Attorney

Anthony J. Poulos, Esq., is an attorney specializing in corporate and litigation matters. With nearly a decade of experience, he has represented government agencies, corporations, and individuals in high-stakes disputes and complex transactions. A veteran of both the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army, Mr. Poulos served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard’s intelligence branch, with assignments across Central and South America. He later served in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG), in the 3rd Infantry Division, where he prosecuted numerous felony-level cases to verdict and provided strategic legal counsel to military commanders. He currently serves in the Army Reserves representing Officers and Soldiers in administrative separation proceedings. Prior to his legal career, he served seven years as a Boston police officer and was a member of the department’s SWAT Team. Today, he continues his commitment to public service as General Counsel for The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the families of fallen first responders. Outside of the office, Mr. Poulos enjoys volunteering in the local community, coaching his kids’ youth sports, reading, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two children. He is a member of the Vestry at St. Peter’s. Mr. Poulos holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School, and an MBA from Columbia Southern University. He is admitted to practice law in Georgia and Massachusetts. Anthony can be reached via telephone at 866-582-2586 and via email at AJP@jwlinternational.com.

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We negotiate, document, and provide follow-on legal services for equipment manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and lessors worldwide.

Over many years, our attorneys have successfully negotiated, documented, and closed a vast array of business transactions, including manufacturer-dealer relationships as well as business purchases, sales, leases, and financing transactions throughout North America and in over 20 countries.

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