Carl W. Mills

Carl Mills is counsel in Hughes Hubbard’s New York litigation group.  His practice focuses on complex business litigation.  He has represented U.S. and international clients in a variety of industries, including the accounting, aerospace, banking, financial services, pharmaceutical, real estate, technology, and telecommunications industries.  He has extensive experience advising and representing Big Four accounting firms in SEC, PCAOB, and civil litigation matters.  He also has extensive experience with complex commercial, construction, employment, real estate, and trusts and estates litigation, as well as litigation in the corporate reorganization and bankruptcy contexts.

Currently, Mr. Mills represents an international investment bank in a major employment matter involving bonus and retaliation claims, a real estate development firm in a dispute with its general contractor, the Trustee of the Lehman Brothers Inc. estate in complex appellate litigation involving former executives’ claims for deferred compensation, and an asbestos litigation trust and trust claims processing facility in various matters.

Recently, Mr. Mills represented aerospace firms in appellate litigation with a former employee, and an international investment bank in a major industry arbitration that involved claims of employee “raiding” and misuse of intellectual property.  Mr. Mills also represented a major New York real estate owner in various disputes with contractors and tenants.  Mr. Mills also represented an international pharmaceutical company in a multi-million dollar breach of contract litigation.

Mr. Mills previously represented a Big Four accounting firm in a complex, cross-border regulatory matter, a Big Four accounting firm in a complex civil litigation, a major international financial institution in a cross border discovery proceeding, and an international sovereign entity in a contract dispute.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Mills represented the Trustee of the Lehman Brothers Inc. estate in a multi-billion dollar breach of contract litigation, and the European entities of the former Nortel Networks enterprise in the first US-Canadian cross-border trial in history.  He also previously represented the CEO of a financial advisory firm in connection with an SEC investigation, and represented Merck in a large, multi-district products liability litigation.

Mr. Mills is also committed to providing quality pro bono legal services.  He has represented clients in civil rights, divorce, landlord-tenant, immigration and naturalization, trusts and estates, and adoption matters, and provides mentorship to high school and college students interested in pursuing legal careers.

Mr. Mills currently serves as a Member of the New York City Bar Association’s Transportation Committee.

• Representing an international investment bank in a major employment dispute.
• Representing an international investment bank in a FINRA arbitration involving claims of employee raiding.
• Representing an international pharmaceutical company in a multi-million dollar breach of contract action.
• Representing Big Four accounting firms in connection with a PCAOB investigation related to the firms’ audits of a major foreign telecommunications company.
• Representing a Big Four audit partner in PCAOB investigation, including drafting Rule 5109(d) submission, preparing for and participating in a PCAOB hearing, and responding to Division of Enforcement appeal of Hearing Officer’s initial decision.
• Representing a Big Four accounting firm in connection with DOJ and SEC investigations and civil litigation related to financial accounting and other issues at a major healthcare audit client.
• Representing a Big Four accounting firm in various United States and international actions arising out of the Madoff fraud.
• Representing a Big Four accounting firm in SEC and PCAOB investigations in connection with audits of several major corporations with operations in China.
• Representing a Big Four accounting firm in connection with civil litigation regarding a major biomedical industry tax client.
• Representing a Big Four accounting firm in SEC investigation of financial accounting and other issues at major computer hardware manufacturer audit client.
• Advice to a Big Four accounting firm regarding compliance with legal requirements and auditing standards related to audit documentation.
• Advice to a Big Four accounting firm regarding potential transfer of liability among member firms.
• Assisting a Big Four accounting firm in an internal investigation related to compliance with international and United States independence requirements.
• Researching and drafting opinion for Big Four accounting firm related to compliance with international and United States requirements related to reporting of potential illegal acts.
• Pro Bono representation of clients in civil rights, housing, immigration, paternity, adoption and other matters.