Annie Banks
Associate
Annie Banks
503.517.2926
Overview
Annie Banks is a litigation attorney in Holland & Knight's Portland office. Ms. Banks focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, including in the contract, fraud, employment, and securities contexts. She also represents public and private companies in government enforcement and regulatory matters.
Ms. Banks has experience litigating in federal court, state court, and arbitration. She has played a key role in multiple trials, including examining and defending witnesses and developing trial strategy. Her pre-trial experience includes drafting pleadings and motions, managing discovery, arguing discovery motions, and taking and defending depositions.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight's Portland office, Ms. Banks practiced at an elite boutique litigation firm in Los Angeles, where she secured complete defense victories for industry leading companies in the e-commerce and fitness technology sectors. During law school, she served as the Chief Managing Editor of the UCLA Law Review.
Representative Experience
- Secured a complete victory in a two-week arbitration trial for a multinational e-commerce corporation in a suit brought by another online retailer, alleging contract, fraud, tort, and unfair competition claims
- Represented an electricity company in litigation arising out of the 2018 Woolsey Fire
- Represented a biotech firm as plaintiff in multiple litigations alleging a high-profile business partner's scheme to "catch and kill" the firm's promising cancer drug
- Defended a leading fitness technology company in arbitration disputes and federal court litigation involving consumer fraud and unfair competition claims
- Defended a real estate investor against multiple lawsuits brought by longtime business partner alleging breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, fraud, and tort claims
- Defended a large film distribution company in various litigation matters resulting from purchase of bankrupt film studio, including claims of breach of contract, fraud, and discrimination
- Represented a multibillion-dollar oil refining and marketing company in series of contractual disputes with franchisees, including claims involving the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA)
- Resolved a securities fraud class action alleging insider trading and control person liability on behalf of a global investment firm on highly favorable terms after obtaining orders shortening the proposed class period, denying a second attempt at class certification and forcing plaintiffs to withdraw a key expert witness
- Represented an international film financing, production and distribution company and its chief executive officer (CEO) in appeal against former business partner for defamation, resulting in complete victory in California Court of Appeals
- Represented a major financial planning and asset management company in multiple internal investigations relating to potential violations of federal securities laws and employment laws, including claims of harassment and retaliation
- Defended a notable film school in lawsuit alleging wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, discrimination and fraud
- Represented a multibillion-dollar public oil and gas corporation in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into potential violations of securities laws involving executive compensation disclosures, including direct communication with and appearing before SEC Division of Enforcement staff
- Represented a major global television brand in a multidistrict class action concerning alleged violations of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), unfair business practices and violations of state consumer protection statutes
- Defended a large fitness center chain in arbitration concerning alleged participation rights in the company's $1.85 billion stock sale, resulting in complete defense award on claims of liability and more than $1 million in attorneys' fees and costs
- Represented an investment adviser in SEC investigation into potential insider trading
- Represented a startup entertainment technology company and multiple key executives in SEC investigation into potential offering fraud and broker-dealer activity, including direct communication with and appearing before SEC Division of Enforcement staff
- Successfully first-chaired jury trial involving pro bono client's unlawful detainer proceedings, resulting in complete verdict for defendant
Credentials
Education
- UCLA School of Law, J.D.
- UCLA, M.Ed.
- UCLA, B.S., Mathematics
Bar Admissions/Licenses
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
Court Admissions
- All Appellate Courts in Washington
- All State Courts in Washington
- All Trial Courts in Washington
- All Appellate Courts in Oregon
- All State Courts in Oregon
- All Trial Courts in Oregon
- All U.S. District Courts in Oregon
- All State Courts in California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Honors & Awards
- Order of the Coif
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Portland Commercial Litigation Ones to Watch, 2023
Spoken Languages
- English
- Spanish