Grace C. Brier

Partner Litigation

Washington, D.C. +1 202 389 3151

Grace C. Brier

Overview

Grace Brier is a litigation partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Grace’s practice focuses on complex civil disputes in federal courts, state courts and arbitrations across the country. She has experience representing clients in matters involving contract disputes, class actions, fraud claims, restructuring matters and government-facing litigation and investigations. Grace also maintains an active pro bono practice.

Litigation

  • Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Research Development Foundation — Trial counsel for Pacira Pharmaceuticals in a declaratory judgment action against Research Development Foundation (RDF) seeking a declaration that it no longer owed RDF royalties on its flagship drug, EXPAREL. The court found in Pacira’s favor following a four-day bench trial. The case was profiled in The American Lawyer.
  • Huntsman International, LLC v. Albemarle Corp., et al. — Trial counsel for Huntsman in successful two-week AAA arbitration awarding compensatory and punitive damages of more than $600 million. The case was profiled in The American Lawyer’s “Litigators of the Week.”
  • In re Celsius Network, LLC, et al. — Trial counsel for Celsius Network, LLC in Chapter 11 reorganization of cryptocurrency company in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The bankruptcy plan was confirmed following a multi-day confirmation hearing.
  • In re Paraquat Prods. Liability Litigation — Counsel for herbicide manufacturer in multidistrict litigation alleging injuries resulting from alleged exposure to paraquat.
  • Garrett Motion v. Honeywell — Counsel for Honeywell in litigation brought by Garrett Motion seeking to invalidate more than $1 billion in asbestos-related payment obligations to Honeywell.
  • Tippins v. United States — Counsel for six Coast Guards veterans in class action challenging the government’s forced retirement of hundreds of senior enlisted personnel.
  • Uchytil v. Accenture — Counsel for Accenture in federal False Claims Act case relating to the provision of software and related services to the Department of Defense and various military commands.
  • Tronox Limited — Counsel for Tronox in United States District Court for the District of Columbia and antitrust proceedings brought by Federal Trade Commission related to Tronox’s worldwide acquisition of Cristal.

Government & Regulatory

  • Counsel for a major pharmaceutical company in congressional investigation into drug pricing and related matters.
  • Counsel for an individual in insider trading investigation by the SEC.

Judicial Law ClerkHonorable Steven C. SeegerUnited States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

InternUnited States Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation (Appellate)

Associate, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 2017–2019

Summer Associate, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 2016

Financial Analyst at MAXIMUS, Inc., 2012–2014

Represented multiple death-penalty petitioners in state court habeas proceedings.

More

Recognition

Recognized as “Litigator of the Week” runners-up by The American Lawyer Litigation Daily for securing a unanimous jury verdict in a federal trial where plaintiffs were seeking $100 million in mineral trespass claims in the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of client Rice Drilling D, LLC

Recognized as “Litigator of the Week” runners-up by The American Lawyer Litigation Daily for class certification denial in a case involving more than 1,200 oil and gas leases in the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of client Rice Drilling D, LLC

Kirkland & Ellis LLP Pro Bono Service Award

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2017District of Columbia

Courts

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Education

  • The George Washington University Law SchoolJ.D.with Honors2017

    George Washington Scholar

    Notes Editor, Federal Circuit Bar Journal

    Vice President, Mock Trial Board

    Dean’s Fellow

  • University of Notre DameB.B.A., Finance; B.A., English2012