The Attorneys
Successfully fighting for our First Amendment rights was a complex challenge, and one that required a law firm and attorneys that understood the full spectrum of issues involved. Considerations ranged from overarching legal principles to subtle nuances in the procedures that must be followed. We felt confident bringing a First Amendment action against the Department of Justice because we were working with an absolutely superb legal team.
Casino City was represented by Barry Richard, Patrick O'Brien, Laureen Galeoto, and M. Hope Keating of the law firm Greenberg Traurig. Barry's skill as a litigator and his history of success in actions involving constitutional law uniquely qualified him to present our case. Pat's broad understanding of the complex issues surrounding online gaming ensured we considered all of the ramifications of our positions.
Our initial involvement with Greenberg Traurig was with Patrick O'Brien. Sue Schneider, President of the River City Group at the time, introduced us to him as an expert in online gaming law. Pat had previously written a section for the fifth edition of the highly regarded Internet Gambling Report, where he covered online gaming in the Caribbean Basin. The Caribbean Basin is home to some of the largest online gaming jurisdictions in the world today including Antigua, Costa Rica, Curacao, and Belize.
Patrick O'Brien spent 25 years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Customs Service combating money laundering, drug smuggling, and illegal imports. Since joining Greenberg Traurig he has become a recognized expert in Internet gaming and offshore banking law. Pat advised and represented major sportsbook and casino operators, transaction processors, media outlets, and Internet portals. He represented three of the original online gaming defendants in the 1998 New York indictments, as well as targets and witnesses in several federal investigations. Pat's solid understanding of online gaming law and his pragmatic view of the underlying issues were instrumental factors in our decision to bring this action through the firm Greenburg Traurig.
Barry Richards, the lead litigator, is widely respected for his representation of President George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election litigation in which he managed 46 lawsuits on the President's behalf. Dan Rather called his nationally televised argument before the Florida Supreme Court "brilliant." As a leading constitutional lawyer Barry has successfully argued many significant cases over the past two decades including three major cases before the United States Supreme Court. He was named a National Law Journal Lawyer of the Year in 2001. Barry's stature among his fellow attorneys is reflected in his selection as a Fellow in both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. We knew that when Barry spoke, the judge hearing our case would listen.
Barry's associates, Laureen Galeoto and M. Hope Keating, were also heavily involved in our First Amendment litigation. Local representation in Baton Rouge, Lousiana was provided by Frederick Tulley, Lloyd Lunceford, and Erick Miyagi, of Taylor Porter.
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