
Overview
Kurt Hansson is Co-Chair of the Complex Litigation and Arbitration practice group and is a partner in the Litigation Department at Paul Hastings, based in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Hansson has managed more than 300 litigators worldwide for over 15 years and has over 35 years of first chair trial and international arbitration experience. He is known for his creative and practical approach to resolving complex legal disputes for the firm’s most important clients.
Mr. Hansson also has extensive knowledge and experience in various forms of alternative dispute resolution matters. He was instrumental in establishing GE’s Early Case Assessment program and has helped develop similar programs for many other Fortune 500 clients. These programs are specifically designed to help reduce litigation costs and liabilities for clients by identifying litigation risks and potential business solutions early in the dispute process.
Mr. Hansson is a member of the state and federal bars in the states of Connecticut and New York, as well as the District of Columbia. He is also a member of the bars of the New York Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Recognitions
- Lawdragon, 500 Leading Litigators in America (2022)
- The Legal 500 USA, General Commercial Disputes (2021-2022)
- Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial (2022)
- Public Counsel's Center for Veterans' Advancement, Public Counsel Pro Bono Award (2019)
Education
- The American University - Washington College of Law, J.D., 1986 (Note and Comment Editor for the American University Journal of International Law and Policy)
- Tufts University, B.A. in Political Science, 1980
Representations
- Representing the Ad-Hoc Board of Directors of Petróleos de Venezuela (or PDVSA, of the Venezuela Guaido Administration) in connection with the multi-billion dollar litigation involving PDVSA’s 2020 Bonds secured by the stock of its subsidiary CITGO in the United States.
- Representing a Japanese drug company in an ICC arbitration on a multi-billion dollar licensing dispute concerning certain royalty payments.
- Represented Star China in a HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong against a European licensor of one of the most popular television programs in the world.
- Served as co-lead counsel for the Republic of the Philippines in connection with the recovery of state-related assets.
- Successfully argued a Third Circuit Appeal affirming the dismissal of a significant RICO claim against GSK.
- Successfully represented UBS in multiple court and FINRA arbitrations relating to auction rate securities.
- Successfully settled thousands of mass tort cases brought against Plaza Realty arising out of the rescue and cleanup of the World Trade Center.
- Won on appeal the issue of enforcement of an arbitration provision in a limited partnership dispute on behalf of Lehman Brothers Holdings.
news
- Paul Hastings Secures Putative Class Action Victory for Nissin - April 5th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Secures Appeal Access for Veterans Under the VA Caregiver Program - April 19th, 2021
- Paul Hastings Pens Amicus Brief for Senators Urging the Court to Uphold President Obama’s Immigration Executive Actions - April 8th, 2015
- Paul Hastings Attorneys Recognized as Super Lawyers in Southern California, Connecticut, Georgia, New York, San Diego and Washington, D.C. - May 20th, 2007
Recognitions
- 16 Paul Hastings Partners Recognized in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America - October 11th, 2022
- Paul Hastings Complex Litigation and Arbitration Practice Recognized by Chambers USA 2022 - June 1st, 2022
- Paul Hastings Litigation Practice Recognized by Chambers USA 2021 - May 28th, 2021
- Recognized by Public Counsel's Center for Veteran's Advancement - October 10th, 2019
insights
- Not a Party, Not a Problem: SCOTUS Rules That Non-Signatories Can Enforce International Arbitration Agreements in U.S. Courts - June 3rd, 2020
- SCOTUS Grounds the “Wholly Groundless” Exception: Parties Can Delegate Arbitrability to Arbitrators - January 9th, 2019
- ICC’s International Court of Arbitration Adopts Expedited Procedure Rules - November 21st, 2016
- The Delaware Supreme Court Provides Guidance to the Second Circuit Regarding Investor Holder Claims - June 22nd, 2016
- Delaware Supreme Court Holds That a Non-Exculpated Claim Against Independent Directors Must Be Pled to Survive Motion to Dismiss, Irrespective of Applicable Standard of Review for Board’s Conduct - May 14th, 2015