Press Releases
Half of corporate giants do not check if their tech is discriminatory, exposing them to lawsuits and regulatory investigations
14 January 2021
PartnerWashington, D.C.
Email desmond.hogan@hoganlovells.com
Phone +1 202 637 5493
Fax +1 202 637 5910
Practice groupLitigation, Arbitration, and Employment
Des Hogan, the Chambers-rated Head of our global Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment practice, has a track record of winning cases early, at trial, and on appeal.
Recently, he won a complete victory in the Uber Data Breach MDL in the Central District of California when the court dismissed a nationwide class action on precedent-setting standing grounds; defeated a TRO and secured dismissal of a health care class action in Georgia federal court; defended the Anthem Data Breach MDL in the Northern District of California; and secured dismissal of a false advertising class action against a food company in a widely cited Miami federal case.
Currently, he helps lead the defense of many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in a high-profile antitrust MDL in Alabama, represents a pharmaceutical company in a federal class action, a health benefits company in a state court class action, and a few clients in congressional investigations.
Over the past few years his team defeated class certification in the In Re WellPoint UCR MDL, wiping out a 10-figure damages claim; won a nationwide health care class action on summary judgement, upheld after his Eleventh Circuit argument; and took over a Ford case, winning class decertification and defeating plaintiffs' US$350 million+ claims through trial and appeal.
Des also has represented clients in more than two dozen congressional investigations, on health care, data security, pharma markets, consumer products, and public corruption issues.
Des is committed to pro bono. He received national press attention when the Norfolk 4 – U.S. Navy sailors sentenced to life for crimes they did not commit – were exonerated through habeas relief and pardons. And he led a team that won a discrimination class action on behalf of 100+ U.S. Secret Service special agents.
Des was a founding member of our Diversity Committee, clerked for federal judge Wiley Daniel, was valedictorian at Howard University School of Law, and was its first summa cum laude graduate.
Litigation: General Commercial (District of Columbia)
Chambers USA
Litigation: General Commercial (District of Columbia), Recognised Practitioner
Chambers USA
Dispute Resolution: General Commercial Disputes, Recommended
Legal 500 US
Transport: Rail and Road (Litigation)
Legal 500 US
Education
J.D., Howard University School of Law, summa cum laude
B.A., Allegheny College
Memberships
Member, Board of Directors, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Member, Board of Directors, Council for Court Excellence
Former Member, Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
Former Board Member and All-Star Coach, Capitol City Little League
Former Board Member, My Sister's Place home for abused women and children
Bar admissions and qualifications
District of Columbia
Court admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of International Trade
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Team took over a major auto case, won class decertification, tried the case, handled the appeal, and defeated plaintiffs' large damages claims.
Won the Uber Data Breach MDL, successfully winning dismissal or motions to compel arbitration of every one of the MDL's underlying complaints.
Recently defeated a motion for Temporary Restraining Order and secured the dismissal of a consumer class action on behalf of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia.
Recently secured the dismissal of separate class actions against major food, health benefits, and technology companies at initial pleading.
Argued against class certification in the In Re WellPoint UCR MDL, winning the motion and defeating plaintiffs' US$1bn+ damages claims.
Team has represented many clients in Congressional investigations by nearly a dozen House and Senate Committees.
Currently represents Anthem in its high-profile data breach MDL (100+ consolidated class actions) and in the related regulatory inquiries.
Argued against class certification for dozens of joint defendants in a nationwide MDL class action, which was then dismissed after argument.
Led the effort in a nationwide healthcare class action, winning a threshold summary judgment ruling and the follow-on Eleventh Circuit Appeal.
Represented a major retailer and its top executives in a significant cyber security investigation.
Press Releases
14 January 2021
Published Works
13 January 2021
Press Releases
07 December 2020
Awards and Rankings
21 February 2020
Media Mention
29 October 2019
Press Releases
21 March 2019