Webster D. McBride is an associate in the New York office of Hughes Hubbard & Reed. His practice focuses on complex litigation for U.S. and international clients in a variety of industries, including finance and banking, technology, media and entertainment, and the fine arts. Webster also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals in immigration and asylum proceedings and providing counsel to several New York City museums and performing arts organizations.
Before practicing law, Webster worked extensively with clients in the financial services and telecommunications sectors as a business analyst and software engineer at a San Francisco Bay Area information technology consultancy. Prior to joining Hughes Hubbard, Webster interned with the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York and served as a summer associate with the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the United States House of Representatives.
Professional Activities
Member, Copyright Society of the USA
Member, Federal Bar Council
Member, International Bar Association, Technology Law Committee
Member, New York County Lawyers Association, Art Law Committee
Recognition
Her Justice Commitment to Justice Award, Outstanding Legal Team (2015)
New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel (2013, 2015)
Highlighted Publications
"Ninth Circuit Cases Pose the Question: How Far Does the 'First Sale Doctrine' Go?" HHR Art Law blog, September 17, 2017
“Fair Use Filter? Richard Prince Moves to Dismiss Donald Graham’s Lawsuit,” HHR Art Law blog, June 2016
"GI Joe? Coffee, Location, and Regulatory Accountability," New York University Law Review 85 (2010) 2138
Court Admissions
Southern District of New York
Eastern District of New York
Second Circuit Court of Appeals
Highlighted Matters
The Arthur Taubman Trust et al. v. Knoedler Gallery, LLC, et al., No. 13-cv-03011 (S.D.N.Y.): Representation of former U.S. ambassador and his family trust bringing fraud and RICO action against art dealer and others in connection with multimillion-dollar sale of forged art; HHR team secured favorable settlements following motion practice
St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc. v. Janssen-Counotte, No. 14-cv-00877 (W. D. Tex.): Representation of president of biomedical technology company in multimillion-dollar misappropriation of trade secrets lawsuit; HHR team defeated wide-ranging injunction sought against client
Cummings v. Soul Train Holdings LLC, et al., No. 14-cv-00036 (S.D.N.Y.): Representation of media and entertainment companies defending against Lanham Act, right of privacy, and right of publicity claims; HHR team obtained dismissal of action
Exxon Neftegas Ltd. v. WorleyParsons Ltd., No. 654405/13 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.): Representation of an Australian engineering and construction firm defending against a multimillion-dollar breach of contract claim in connection with design of Russian offshore drilling rig; HHR team obtained order compelling arbitration and dismissing action
In re Fletcher Leisure Group Ltd., No. 13-13420 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.): Representation of a Canadian subsidiary of a "Big Four" professional services network in its capacity as the court-appointed receiver of a sporting-goods company; HHR team obtained emergency Chapter 15 protection for client
Dar Noor Ltd. v. Weissman, et al., No. 12-cv-07655 (S.D.N.Y.): Representation of a British Virgin Islands corporation in a fraud action arising from the sale of forged art, successfully argued dispositive motion before Judge Sullivan
In re MF Global Inc., No. 11-02790 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.): Representation of the trustee for the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA) liquidation of the SEC- and CFTC-regulated broker-dealer; member of affirmative litigation team responsible for negotiation with MF Global's clearing bank, resulting in a $547 million settlement
In re Lehman Brothers Inc., No. 08-01420 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.): Representation of the trustee for the SIPA liquidation of a SEC-regulated broker-dealer; member of the Hughes Hubbard claims team responsible for analyzing and responding to thousands of customer and general creditor claims filed in the largest and most complex stockbroker liquidation ever attempted
Representation of hedge fund general partner and investment manager in securities fraud action brought by investor (D. Del.) and in SEC enforcement action brought under Securities Act § 8A, Exchange Act § 21C, Investment Advisers Act § 203(e)–(f), and Investment Company Act § 9(b)
Representation of biomedical technology company in insurance coverage litigation arising from series of conspiracy and negligence lawsuits (D. Or., D.N.M.)
Representation of multinational investment bank petitioning under 28 U.S.C. §1782 for discovery for use in multimillion-dollar litigation in the Netherlands (D. Nev.)
Representation of commercial real estate finance company in connection with the New York State attorney general's investigation into client's refinancing and securitization practices
Representation of major newspaper company in mediation arising from disputed interpretation of partnership agreement’s change-in-control provision
Representation of major sports and entertainment holding company in connection with acquisition of 50 percent stake in entertainment and media company
Pro bono representations in immigration, intellectual property and litigation matters, in collaboration with organizations such as Immigration Equality, Her Justice and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts