David Bovino, a partner with Kasowitz Benson Torres. Courtesy photo

Kasowitz Benson Torres has expanded its U.S. footprint with the addition of an office in Aspen, Colorado, led by incoming litigation partner David Bovino.

Kasowitz announced the new office in a statement Monday. Bovino, a litigator who previously helmed his own firm, Bovino & Associates, in Aspen, will be joined at Kasowitz's new location by some familiar faces, according to the announcement. They include Maria Gorecki, previously a Kasowitz partner who served more recently as special counsel for Bovino & Associates, and longtime Kasowitz litigation partner Ronald Rossi, who has been with Kasowitz since 2002 and will split his time between Aspen and New York.

Rossi and Gorecki have handled a wide range of international litigation on behalf of both corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals. While Bovino is joining as a partner, Gorecki rejoins Kasowitz as managing counsel and director in Aspen.

Bovino, who has served as co-counsel with Kasowitz lawyers, including Rossi, in the past, has experience that includes representing a group of corporate dealerships in a class action against ADT Security Services and stockholders in a securities fraud case arising from a $770 million sale of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino franchise.

“We have worked closely with David on high-profile and high-stakes litigation matters over a number of years,” Marc Kasowitz, the firm's founding partner, said in a statement. “David is a very impressive and talented lawyer who approaches his clients' problems in creative and innovative ways, and will make a great addition to the firm.”

Matters that Bovino and Kasowitz have partnered on include litigation for hedge fund investor Carey Metz, who is currently pursuing breach of contract and other claims in California state superior court against Ryan Kavanaugh, a co-founder of film studio Relativity Media.

That suit accuses Kavanaugh of duping Metz into making a $2.5 million loan to Relativity, on top of $10 million that Metz had already invested into the company, which has entered bankruptcy twice since 2015. Bovino and Rossi have jointly represented Metz in the case, according to court records.

Bovino said that he is delighted to start a practice for Kasowitz in Aspen and that he's excited to join the firm in light of its reputation as a “litigation powerhouse.”

“Kasowitz is a top-notch, innovative and influential firm,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to provide our clients with the responsive and personalized high level of services they have come to expect in Aspen, along with unparalleled access to the most talented, strategic and successful lawyers across the country.”