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Kirk G. Hanson
Associate
Boston
Kirk Hanson's practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including accounting malpractice, class actions, corporate business disputes, and insurance litigation, as well as advising corporations in federal regulatory investigations.
His class action work has included representation of an insurance company in proposed nationwide class action in state court alleging unfair trade practices in the sale and marketing of whole life insurance. The class certification was denied in the superior court and the case is currently on appeal. He also represents a national corporation in Massachusetts and Rhode Island state court litigations seeking class certification for claims under unfair and deceptive trade practice statutes.
Other work that Kirk has focused on is defending a "Big Four" accounting firm against allegations of fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and civil RICO. In the insurance area, in addition to his class action work, Kirk has also represented insureds in coverage disputes.
Bars and Court Admissions
Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Representative Experience
The following is a brief summary of Kirk's experience and accomplishments:
Experience briefing cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and in the Massachusetts Appeals Court
Representing a corporation pursuing several of its insurers for reimbursement under general liability and excess policies of defense and indemnification costs incurred in relation to a Superfund site
Successfully represented corporation in litigation brought in interpleader in recovering undistributed funds from escrow accounts
Represented insured corporation in lawsuit against insurer seeking reimbursement under general liability policy of defense costs incurred after insurer refused to defend the underlying lawsuit. Achieved favorable settlement for insured after winning several motions in limine against insurer
Represented public company in informal investigation by Securities Exchange Commission into allegations of revenue smoothing
Represented a Big Four accounting firm and its engagement partners against allegations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and civil RICO. Plaintiff-investors claimed that the company's financial statements were materially misstated with regard to complex issues of purchase accounting, revenue recognition, and reserves relating to government payors. After a four-week jury trial, the jury returned a verdict exonerating the firm and its partners of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and civil RICO, and awarding only a small fraction (less than 10%) of the amount demanded by plaintiffs in settlement on the remaining negligence-based claim.
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