Bruce D. Bernstein

Bruce D. Bernstein

Partner
Washington, DC

Bruce is widely recognized as a leading litigator of complex civil actions as a result of his extensive experience and numerous successes in representing the federal government and private parties.

Bruce is widely recognized as a leading litigator of complex civil actions as a result of his extensive experience and numerous successes in representing the federal government and private parties.

Overview

Bruce Bernstein has successfully handled a wide range of commercial litigation including suits against large banks, mortgage lenders, automobile manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, insurers, and healthcare systems. He has successfully litigated these matters at all levels, including before the U.S. Supreme Court.

As a Trial Attorney in the Civil Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bruce investigated, litigated, and resolved complex qui tam actions asserting claims under the False Claims Act.  In addition, on behalf of the United States, he oversaw the litigation of a large action, pending in Germany, asserting securities fraud-type claims against a multinational automobile manufacturer, which was brought to recover losses incurred by the Federal Thrift Savings Plan, one of the largest defined contribution plans in the world. In private practice, he successfully litigated some of the largest securities fraud actions ever filed.  Bruce was a pivotal member of the team that secured significant decisions from the Third Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court in the securities class action against Merck & Co., Inc., which arose out of Merck’s alleged misrepresentations about the cardiovascular safety of its painkiller drug Vioxx.  That action was ultimately resolved for more than $1 billion, which at the time of its resolution, was the largest securities recovery ever achieved on behalf of investors against a pharmaceutical company.

Bruce has also served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Law School and taught written and oral advocacy.  Separately, he has authored and co-authored a number of articles on developments in the federal securities laws, including co-authoring, along with several former colleagues, the first chapter of Lexis/Nexis’s seminal industry guide Litigating Securities Class Actions (2010 and 2012).