James Rouhandeh, a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell, has been prominently featured in the Unrivaled 2025 series for his distinguished work in high-profile legal cases. Rouhandeh’s expertise as a trial lawyer has notably shone through in cases such as ExxonMobil Corp. v. US, where he represented ExxonMobil in a litigation over the tax treatment of a 2006 mineral development transaction linked to a partnership with the State of Qatar.
The complexity of the ExxonMobil case, which involved historical business dealings dating back over two decades and across international borders, required Rouhandeh to leverage extensive trial preparation and evidence collection. Judge Godbey, in his trial ruling, acknowledged the persuasiveness of ExxonMobil’s case, ultimately ruling in favor of the corporation’s entitlement to its claimed tax deductions, thus influencing subsequent litigation in similar contexts.
Rouhandeh reminisces about the influential moments shaping his legal career, particularly working with Bob Fiske at Davis Polk, and emphasizes the importance of both individual effort and close teamwork in securing trial success. He advises young trial lawyers to seize every opportunity to go to trial, highlighting his own track record within a year of swiftly resolving and winning major cases for Chevron and Morgan Stanley alongside ExxonMobil.
This accolade from Bloomberg Law’s Unrivaled series not only recognizes Rouhandeh’s past achievements but also underscores his ongoing influence in the legal sector. Further details on Rouhandeh’s career and strategic approach to legal challenges can be explored through Bloomberg’s Unrivaled platform.