Benjamin P. Argyle
Benjamin's experience also includes large-exposure coverage matters, including Superstorm Sandy claims and commercial arson cases.
Prior to law school, Benjamin worked at a not-for-profit corporation in Washington, DC that coordinated the development and publication of telecommunications industry standards. Before his legal career, Benjamin worked in the construction industry as a manager for a design-build commercial waterproofing company.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Successfully argued against an emergency injunction, and secured complete dismissal of the entire action, for a prominent equipment rental company, in connection with a bid protest regarding a government contract for construction equipment
- Lead associate on a team that successfully defended a state agency against breach of contract and tort claims brought by a disaster recovery vendor. Benjamin's role included drafting successful pre-trial motions; managing the discovery process, including written discovery, ESI vendors, and contract attorneys; and participating in and attending client mediations and settlement discussions
- A key associate on Venable team defending a major producer of poultry products in putative antitrust class action lawsuits in the Northern District of Illinois, claiming that poultry producers illegally conspired to reduce the supply of chicken and chicken products. In this role, Benjamin oversees the client's discovery process, including offensive and defensive discovery to and from more than 130 parties and more than 300 depositions. Benjamin also manages the e-Discovery vendors and the document review, collection, and production teams
- Successfully prosecuted and defended against multiple lis pendens and mechanics' lien disputes, and the underlying breach of construction contract claims, for claims ranging from $500 to $30 million
- Part of a cross-office litigation team representing generic pharmaceutical companies against multidistrict antitrust class action lawsuits alleging price-fixing claims under the Sherman Act
- Successfully drove, structured, and negotiated a favorable settlement for a private equity fund's portfolio company, where suit was brought over a contract dispute conveniently timed with the company's latest round of funding
- Defended a trustee in a will interpretation dispute, including arguing before the New York Surrogate's Court
- Briefed a motion to dismiss for investors accused of breaching the corporate veil to conspire with the company in which they had invested to wrongfully terminate a C-suite employee
- Representing high-net-worth private clients in disputes with municipalities
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. magna cum laude Brooklyn Law School 2014
- B.A. Syracuse University 2006
Bar Admissions
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Community
Personal Activities
Benjamin maintains an active pro bono practice representing asylum applicants fleeing sexual-orientation persecution.
Benjamin has also advised clients and written extensively on New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). His recommendations for amending the FOIL statute have been introduced as bills in the New York State Assembly and Senate.