Benjamin E. Horowitz

Representative Matters

• Won outright dismissal of all claims on behalf of a client facing a federal enforcement action seeking more than $1 billion in damages. Venable's motion for sanctions, based on government misconduct during discovery, was granted in whole by a federal judge, and the case against Venable's client was dismissed after a years-long litigation and discovery period. The decision won affirmance on appeal to the Eleventh Circuit
• Secured summary judgment for a publicly traded company in a post-transaction securities fraud dispute arising from the acquisition of a minority ownership interest, defeating claims exceeding $100 million and prevailing on a contractual counterclaim entitling the client to recover its attorneys’ fees
• Led the successful defense of a real estate developer in a breach of contract action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, obtaining summary judgment on all claims and a ruling entitling the client to recover attorneys’ fees
• Argued and won summary judgment in favor of a secured lender in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• Obtained a partial jury verdict in a dispute regarding the existence of a partnership after a five-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• Defended a real estate developer in an arbitration against claims seeking more than $10 million for alleged violations of a state consumer protection statute. Presented the opening statement and the closing argument and performed examinations of lay and expert witnesses. Won a complete judgment on all claims
• Successfully represented a group of limited partners in an arbitration against ouster by the general partner. The dispute was favorably settled mid-arbitration
• Represented investors in litigation against the general partner of a private investment fund, resulting in the full recovery of the invested capital and attorneys’ fees
• Defeated certification in a nationwide class action seeking remedies under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and consumer protection statutes
• Successfully quashed a federal agency's administrative subpoena in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The DC Circuit affirmed on appeal, which was the first time in decades that a federal appeals court struck down an administrative subpoena issued by the federal government

Education

• J.D. magna cum laude American University, Washington College of Law 2012
• • Order of the Coif
  • Note & comment editor, American University Law Review
• B.A. University of Maryland 2007

Bar Admissions

• District of Columbia
• Maryland

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• U.S. Tax Court

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Co-chair, Commercial Litigation DC/VA Practice Group
• Member, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Civil Pro Bono Panel
• Board member, Council for Court Excellence

• The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021 – 2025

Pro Bono

• Maintains an active pro bono practice and has achieved favorable results for low-income individuals and nonprofits that serve DC's poorest populations
• Achieved multiple six-figure settlements on behalf of two different pro bono clients in cases brought against a municipality under Section 1983 for excessive use of force and unlawful search and seizure
• Serves as a member of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Civil Pro Bono Panel