The following is an excerpt from Practice Perspectives: Vault's Guide to Legal Practice Areas.
A former Assistant U.S. Attorney and DOJ trial lawyer, Anwar Graves is a seasoned litigator and courtroom advocate with a broad litigation practice that spans a variety of areas, including healthcare, entertainment, employment, business torts, insurance defense, congressional investigations, and First Amendment litigation. Clients routinely turn to Anwar to not only represent them in high-profile litigation but also to advise them on sensitive internal matters, including allegations of misconduct and discrimination. Anwar has represented notable corporate clients such as NBCUniversal, Warner Bros., an NFL franchise, American Airlines, Samsung, FedEx Ground, Elevance Health, and UnitedHealth Group.
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
As a general litigator, I have an intentionally broad practice that encompasses a wide range of areas including healthcare, entertainment, employment, business torts, insurance defense, congressional investigations, and First Amendment litigation. The common theme is that each case for which I’m retained is likely heading toward trial or arbitration since clients particularly value the extensive trial experience I’ve obtained throughout the course of my career in government and private practice. I am typically retained either at the outset of a dispute that is expected to proceed to trial or arbitration, or I am brought into existing matters specifically to prepare and conduct the trial or arbitration. Because of this focus, my practice involves mastering complex factual and legal issues, developing strategic litigation plans, preparing witnesses and witness examinations, and determining how best to present the evidence to the fact finder.
In addition to this work, I conduct internal investigations and advise clients on sensitive internal matters, including allegations of misconduct, discrimination, and other workplace issues. In this capacity, I help clients navigate high-stakes situations where reputational and legal risks abound.
What types of clients do you represent?
I’ve represented clients in almost every major industry and across almost every litigation practice area. I’ve represented Chubb, the largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company in the world. I’ve also represented American Airlines, Samsung, FedEx Ground, Elevance Health, UnitedHealth Group, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros., an NFL franchise, various higher education institutions, and many others.
What types of cases/deals do you work on?
Over the past year, I’ve handled a False Claims Act case involving a health insurer’s Medicare Advantage risk adjustment practices under Part C of the Medicare program, a business-interruption insurance coverage dispute arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, a case involving allegations of public nuisance and deceptive trade practices filed by a municipality against a large chemical manufacturer, a dispute between a Brazilian and Indonesian company concerning the enforceability of a foreign arbitration award in the United States, and an internal investigation involving allegations of discrimination at a higher education institution.
How did you choose this practice area?
Funnily enough, I went to law school with the goal of working in politics. While there, however, one of my professors asked if I’d be interested in trying out for the mock trial team. Little did I know that my participation on the team would alter my career trajectory. I fell in love with the strategy involved in persuading individuals from completely different backgrounds to see the case through my client’s perspective. That strategy involves determining how to organize the evidence, frame the narrative, and present the facts in a way that resonates with individuals who would often much rather be spending their day doing something other than sitting in a jury box. It’s one of those rare legal roles that’s not just about knowing the law; it’s about understanding human nature, communication, and psychology. As a result, I decided to structure my career path with that destination in mind.
What is a “typical” day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
While no day is ever the same, I usually spend my time counseling clients on urgent questions or case updates, working on trial or appellate briefs, conducting witness interviews, performing fact development, or planning deposition or trial strategy. I like the variety because it keeps things fresh and exciting.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
I recommend getting legal experience and taking classes that require you to be on your feet rather than sitting behind a desk. Consider joining moot court, mock trial, alternative dispute resolution teams, or a legal clinic where you’ll represent real clients in a courtroom setting. In addition, look for internships or externships with a prosecutor, public defender, or a judge so you can observe attorneys who are routinely meeting with witnesses and presenting to judges and juries.
What is the most challenging aspect of practicing in this area?
One of the most challenging aspects of practicing law as a general litigator is the constant need to learn new and unfamiliar areas of the law. Because my practice isn’t limited to a single practice area, each case often presents legal issues, regulations, or procedures that I may not have encountered before. It’s demanding but keeps me intellectually engaged and forces me to expand my legal acumen.
What misconceptions exist about your practice area?
I think the biggest misconception is that generalists do not thrive in big firms since those firms are often organized by specific practice groups. But most complex litigation involves multiple practice areas and disciplines, so a general litigator who knows how to synthesize those areas and disciplines is extremely valuable. This is especially the case in trial matters because those with the most trial experience often gained it across multiple practice areas.
What are some typical tasks that a junior lawyer would perform in this practice area?
In litigation generally, junior lawyers perform legal research, draft discovery requests and responses, review materials produced in discovery to find evidence that can be used to our client’s benefit, and take the first pen on motions and witness outlines.
What do you feel are the benefits of taking a generalist approach in litigation versus pursuing a more specialized practice?
There’s always a unique challenge in each case, and the variety of cases prompts you to become a more versatile strategic thinker. General litigators tend to spot cross-disciplinary issues, which leads to more creative litigation strategies. In addition, you’ll rarely need to tell a client, “No, I don’t handle those matters.”