David Proaño practices in the area of commercial litigation, including contract claims under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and international law, complex business disputes, environmental contamination and matters involving fraudulent financial transactions. Mr. Proaño has litigated dozens of matters in different venues and jurisdictions, including federal courts, bankruptcy courts, state courts, administrative agencies and international arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce. In the course of handling complex commercial litigation, Mr. Proaño has gained considerable knowledge of the steel and automotive-supply industries. Building on that knowledge, Mr. Proaño has been an advisor on matters involving the drafting of standard and form contracts and best practices with respect to contracting under the UCC.
Mr. Proaño’s experience includes a favorable decision following an administrative trial before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on behalf of an Ohio-based steel company, a successful appeal on a novel issue of environmental law in Ohio on behalf of a FORTUNE 50 company and a groundbreaking decision in federal court in favor of a FORTUNE 50 insurance company facing a class action lawsuit challenging the company’s claims handling process. Mr. Proaño also has considerable experience representing banks and lending institutions in the recovery of funds through commercial real estate foreclosures and receiverships. In addition, Mr. Proaño has defended law firms and attorneys in legal malpractice cases.
Currently, Mr. Proaño is serving as counsel to the bankruptcy trustee for an Ohio-based company that was operated as a large Ponzi scheme. In that role, Mr. Proaño is a key member of a team of Baker Hostetler lawyers identifying and analyzing claims on behalf of the estate, including claims arising from complex sets of financial transfers and transactions. In addition, Mr. Proaño is handling dozens of lawsuits seeking to recover fraudulent transfers for equitable distribution to the defrauded investors of the Ohio company.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Proaño worked with rural farmers in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps volunteer. During law school, he served as a senior editor for the Harvard Environmental Law Review and he also served on the board of Justicia en Diversidad, a nonprofit aimed at encouraging Hispanics to consider careers in the legal profession. Mr. Proaño serves on the board of Esperanza, Inc., a nonprofit that seeks to improve the academic achievement of Hispanics in Greater Cleveland by supporting students to graduate high school and promoting post-secondary educational attainment.
1/17/2012 - Baker Hostetler Announces New Partners