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White Oak Global Advisors has expanded its $1 billion legal malpractice lawsuit to include Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, known as HSF Kramer.

The investment adviser first sued King & Spalding in New York County Supreme Court. Now, an amended complaint adds HSF Kramer to the case.

White Oak says lawyers at both firms worked against its interests. According to the company, the alleged conduct involved its healthcare investment business.

However, the claims have not been proven in court. HSF Kramer and King & Spalding dispute the allegations.

Key Takeaways

• White Oak Global Advisors expanded its $1 billion malpractice lawsuit.
• HSF Kramer is now part of the case.
• King & Spalding was the original law firm defendant.
• White Oak alleges that lawyers at both firms harmed its interests.
• Terry Novetsky is a central figure in the allegations.
• Novetsky moved from King & Spalding to Kramer Levin in 2023.
• Kramer Levin merged with Herbert Smith Freehills in 2025.
• White Oak seeks at least $1 billion in damages.
• The demand includes at least $500 million in punitive damages.
• White Oak’s claims involve its healthcare investment business.
• Isaac Soleimani is not a defendant in the malpractice case.
• HSF Kramer and King & Spalding dispute the allegations.
• The claims remain unproven in court.

White Oak Expands $1B Malpractice Suit

White Oak first sued King & Spalding earlier in 2026. The case centers on former King & Spalding partner Terry Novetsky.

White Oak accuses Novetsky of acting against the company’s interests. According to the amended complaint, he secretly assisted Isaac Soleimani.

Soleimani was the CEO of White Oak’s healthcare fund at the time. Meanwhile, Novetsky represented White Oak in legal matters.

White Oak says the conduct continued after Novetsky joined Kramer Levin in early 2023. Later, Kramer Levin merged with Herbert Smith Freehills in June 2025.

That merger created HSF Kramer. As a result, White Oak has added the firm to its malpractice lawsuit.

White Oak says both firms handled dozens of corporate matters for the company.

What White Oak Alleges

White Oak alleges that Novetsky and Soleimani worked together while Novetsky represented White Oak and White Oak Healthcare.

According to White Oak, their actions sought to help Soleimani gain control of White Oak Healthcare.

Furthermore, White Oak alleges that the two men used personal Gmail accounts to communicate.

The company says those messages support its claims of improper coordination.

White Oak’s lawyers say the conduct went beyond ordinary legal malpractice. Instead, they allege that the firms and their partners harmed White Oak’s interests.

They also allege that the conduct helped facilitate a hostile takeover of the fund.

However, the court has not found that these events occurred.

White Oak Seeks at Least $1 Billion

The White Oak lawsuit seeks at least $1 billion in damages.

According to the amended complaint, White Oak seeks at least $500 million in punitive damages.

In addition, White Oak says the alleged malpractice stopped it from launching two multibillion-dollar healthcare funds.

King & Spalding disputes that claim. In an April 26 filing, the firm called it speculative.

The firm also said most of White Oak’s allegations do not involve King & Spalding.

Therefore, the damages claim could become a key issue in the case.

Why the $1 Billion Claim Matters

A $1 billion demand makes the lawsuit significant for the legal industry.

At the same time, the demand does not mean White Oak will recover that amount.

Legal malpractice claims can create major financial risks for law firms. They can also create reputational risks.

Those risks can grow when a case involves a major corporate client.

White Oak seeks both compensatory and punitive damages. However, the court must first determine whether White Oak can prove its claims.

The court must also consider the losses claimed by White Oak.

As the case develops, new filings could provide more details about those losses.

HSF Kramer Rejects White Oak’s Claims

HSF Kramer disputes White Oak’s allegations.

A firm spokesperson said the claims lack merit. The spokesperson also said firm members acted appropriately.

HSF Kramer expects to prevail in court.

Meanwhile, King & Spalding has challenged the lawsuit.

The firm said most of White Oak’s allegations do not concern it. Furthermore, King & Spalding disputes the claims about the two planned healthcare funds.

The firm called those claims speculative in its April filing.

In addition, Steptoe represents King & Spalding in the case.

Terry Novetsky’s Role

Terry Novetsky is a central figure in White Oak’s allegations.

Novetsky was a partner at King & Spalding. He later joined Kramer Levin in early 2023.

Kramer Levin merged with Herbert Smith Freehills in June 2025. Following that merger, Novetsky became part of HSF Kramer.

According to White Oak’s lawsuit, Novetsky retired from HSF Kramer in January 2026.

However, Novetsky did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The allegations therefore involve several years and more than one law firm.

Isaac Soleimani Is Not a Defendant

Isaac Soleimani is also central to White Oak’s allegations.

Soleimani served as CEO of White Oak Healthcare. However, White Oak terminated him in September 2023.

Importantly, Soleimani is not a defendant in the malpractice lawsuit.

His attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, White Oak continues to pursue its claims against the law firms.

Why the Case Matters

The lawsuit raises several issues for law firms and corporate clients.

First, disputes can follow attorneys after they change firms. Novetsky moved from King & Spalding to Kramer Levin.

Later, Kramer Levin merged with Herbert Smith Freehills.

Second, the case involves allegations about lawyers and a corporate client. Therefore, conflicts checks could become important.

Attorney supervision could also face scrutiny.

In addition, the case highlights the importance of attorney-client communications. White Oak’s allegations include claims about personal email accounts.

The lawsuit also shows the financial risks of major malpractice claims.

As a result, law firm leaders may closely follow the case.

Recruiters and firm managers may also take note. For example, attorney moves can create new risks when disputes involve prior client work.

What Happens Next?

The amended complaint adds HSF Kramer to the malpractice dispute.

Now, the defendants are expected to continue challenging White Oak’s claims.

Meanwhile, White Oak will need to prove its allegations in court.

Additional filings could reveal more about the alleged conduct. They may also provide more details about White Oak’s claimed losses.

The filings could further explain the defenses raised by both law firms.

For now, no court has found that HSF Kramer or King & Spalding committed malpractice.

The allegations remain disputed as the case moves forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did White Oak add HSF Kramer to the lawsuit?

White Oak expanded its malpractice lawsuit to include HSF Kramer.

According to the company, attorneys connected to the firm acted against White Oak’s interests.

The allegations involve legal work for White Oak and its healthcare business. However, HSF Kramer disputes the claims.

How much money is White Oak seeking?

White Oak seeks at least $1 billion in damages.

According to the amended complaint, at least $500 million of that amount represents punitive damages.

White Oak also claims losses tied to two planned healthcare funds.

Which law firms are involved?

The case involves HSF Kramer and King & Spalding.

White Oak first sued King & Spalding. Later, it added HSF Kramer through an amended complaint.

Who is Terry Novetsky?

Terry Novetsky is a former King & Spalding partner.

In 2023, he joined Kramer Levin. Kramer Levin later merged with Herbert Smith Freehills.

As a result, Novetsky became part of HSF Kramer.

According to the lawsuit, he retired from HSF Kramer in January 2026.

Who is Isaac Soleimani?

Isaac Soleimani is the former CEO of White Oak Healthcare.

White Oak alleges that Novetsky assisted Soleimani while representing White Oak.

However, Soleimani is not a defendant in the malpractice case.

Did HSF Kramer admit wrongdoing?

No. HSF Kramer disputes White Oak’s allegations.

According to the firm, the claims lack merit. The firm also says its members acted appropriately.

What does King & Spalding say?

King & Spalding disputes White Oak’s claims.

In particular, the firm says most allegations do not concern King & Spalding.

The firm also called White Oak’s claims about two planned healthcare funds speculative.

Have the allegations been proven?

No. The claims remain allegations in ongoing litigation.

Therefore, they should not be treated as established facts.

The court has not found that HSF Kramer, King & Spalding, or their attorneys committed malpractice.

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