Securities Litigation
The firm has extensive expertise in all aspects of securities, shareholder, and derivative litigation. We have a deep understanding of complex financial products and the operations of the financial services sector, and we frequently represent broker-dealers, investment advisors, hedge funds, and private equity funds in securities litigation and FINRA arbitrations. Our Chambers and The Legal 500-recognized Securities Litigation group has successfully represented clients in connection with the prosecution and defense of claims brought under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, myriad SEC and FINRA regulations, and various state securities laws. The Legal 500 has noted that our Securities Litigation group is comprised of “very strong practitioners” who possess “great talent, depth, good judgement.”
Our recent engagements include the defense of billion-dollar mortgage-backed securities class actions, the successful representation of a major broker dealer in multiple FINRA arbitrations related to the sales and marketing of auction rate securities, the representation of issuers and their senior executives in connection with claims of improper disclosure and securities fraud, and the representation of clients in litigation related to bond offerings. The Legal 500 describes our securities litigation group as “superb litigators who have substantial experience trying complex cases” and notes the firm’s “extremely high-quality work.” C&G is equipped to effectively handle the most complex securities cases in a manner that provides superior and cost-efficient results for our clients.
In addition to representing clients in over one hundred securities arbitrations, we recently authored a FINRA Arbitration and Enforcement treatise for Bloomberg BNA. It examines proceedings involving FINRA in its dual capacities as a forum for dispute resolution and as a securities industry regulator.
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Federal and State Court Securities Litigation
Obtained dismissal and subsequent Second Circuit affirmance of Section 16(b) litigation against major investment bank in case of first impression.
Represent former employee of investment bank in SEC investigation of mortgage-backed securities.
Representation of leading U.S. broker-dealer in defense of federal class action litigation arising out of offering of approximately $700 million of RMBS mortgage pass-through certificates. Matter settled on terms favorable to client.
Read MoreFINRA/NASD Arbitrations
Representation of a major U.S. broker-dealer in connection with a series of FINRA arbitration proceedings arising out of the sale of auction rate securities and the subsequent collapse of the auction rate securities market. Completed arbitrations have resulted in three outright victories for the client, resulting in denial of claims seeking aggregate damages in excess of $250 million.
Successfully represented claimants in eight-week FINRA arbitration of claims of more than $280 million related to complex structured securities.
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Five C&G attorneys are recognized by their peers as “Best Lawyers” in their respective practice areas:
- Mark S. Cohen – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Lawrence T. Gresser – Commercial Litigation
- Jonathan S. Abernethy – Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement
- Jason A. Brown – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Mark Spatz – Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Seven C&G attorneys are recognized as “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in their respective practice areas:
- Luke Appling – Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities
- Sharon L. Barbour – Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- William E. Kalema – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Phoebe King – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Barbara K. Luse – Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law
- Alexandra K. Theobald – Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law
- Benjamin Zhu – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
The firm’s White Collar Defense & Regulation practice is once again ranked in the guide, maintaining its position as one of the “Elite” firms in the Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations category. Chambers recognized the firm’s “strong regulatory investigations and enforcement practice,” specifically highlighting its “expert financial services practice which offers particular strengths in FINRA and SEC proceedings.” Client feedback praises the team for its “strong expertise with the DOJ and with prosecutors.”
The Commercial Litigation practice is also ranked in the Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded category, receiving high praise from clients for having a “strong understanding of the client’s needs” and for being “smart, creative and willing to try difficult strategies and aggressive approaches.”
The firm’s Antitrust & Competition practice is ranked in the Antitrust category, with Chambers noting that “Cohen & Gresser houses a strong practice across a range of antitrust disputes [including] sophisticated litigation.” Client feedback praises the team for being “creative and responsive” and having “strong knowledge of antitrust class actions.”
Partners throughout Cohen & Gresser’s US practices also earned individual rankings in the following categories:
Antitrust: Litigation Specialists (DC)
Litigation: General Commercial (NY)
Litigation: Securities (NY)
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (NY)
Chambers is the world’s leading legal data and analytics provider, highlighting the top lawyers and law firms across the USA based on in-depth research that includes reference feedback, client satisfaction, reputation in the market, peer knowledge, and other discreet independent market sources.
The firm’s rankings are:
National Tier 2: Criminal Defense: White-Collar
National Tier 3: Litigation - Securities
Metropolitan (New York City) Tier 1: Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Metropolitan (New York City) Tier 2: Litigation - Securities
Since 2010, Best Law Firms has conducted in-depth research analyzing feedback from clients and professional references, information submitted by firms, lawyer evaluations collected in conjunction with Best Lawyers, and interviews with industry leaders to rank and recognize firms for excellence in various practice areas.
Super Lawyers named C&G cofounder Mark S. Cohen one of the Top 10 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area. Partners Jonathan S. Abernethy and Karen H. Bromberg have also been named to the Super Lawyers list of the Top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area. Additionally, Karen has been recognized as one of the Top 50 women lawyers within the same region.
Super Lawyers and Rising Stars are annual lists of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5 percent of the lawyers in each state are selected as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5 percent are selected as Rising Stars.
The C&G lawyers recognized on the New York Metro Super Lawyers list are:
- Jonathan S. Abernethy, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Kwaku Andoh, Mergers & Acquisitions
- Luke Appling, Civil Litigation: Defense
- Elizabeth Bernhardt, Business Litigation
- Colin C. Bridge, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Karen H. Bromberg, Intellectual Property
- Jason Brown, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Joanna K. Chan, Securities Litigation
- Mark S. Cohen, Business Litigation
- S. Gale Dick, Business Litigation
- Christian R. Everdell, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Robert J. Gavigan, Mergers & Acquisitions
- Lawrence T. Gresser, Business Litigation
- Oliver S. Haker, Business Litigation
- Johannes Jonas, Mergers & Acquisitions
- Nicholas J. Kaiser, Real Estate
- Jeffrey I. Lang, Civil Litigation: Defense
- David F. Lisner, Business Litigation
- Ellen Paltiel, General Litigation
- Douglas J. Pepe, Business Litigation
- Matthew V. Povolny, Business Litigation
- Nathaniel P. T. Read, Business Litigation
- Bonnie J. Roe, Securities & Corporate Finance
- Stephen M. Sinaiko, Business Litigation
- Mark Spatz, Civil Litigation: Defense
- C. Evan Stewart, Securities Litigation
- Daniel H. Tabak, Business Litigation
- Scott D. Thomson, Business Litigation
- Alexandra Wald, Business Litigation
The C&G lawyers recognized on the New York Metro Rising Stars list are:
- Sharon L. Barbour, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Randall W. Bryer, Business Litigation
- Shannon A. Daugherty, Business Litigation
- Drew S. Dean, General Litigation
- Jesse Greenwald, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Christine M. Jordan, General Litigation
- William Kalema, Business Litigation
- Sri Kuehnlenz, Civil Litigation: Defense
- Marvin J. Lowenthal, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Barbara K. Luse, Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Benjamin Zhu, General Litigation
Six C&G attorneys are recognized by their peers as “Best Lawyers” in their practice areas:
- Mark S. Cohen – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Lawrence T. Gresser – Commercial Litigation
- Jonathan S. Abernethy – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Colin Bridge – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Jason A. Brown – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Mark Spatz – Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Eight attorneys are recognized as “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in their practice areas:
- Luke Appling – Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities
- Sharon L. Barbour – Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- William E. Kalema – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Phoebe King – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Barbara K. Luse – Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law
- Alexandra K. Theobald – Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law
- Eszter Vincze – Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Benjamin Zhu – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Six C&G attorneys have been recognized by their peers as a “Best Lawyer” in their practice areas:
- Jonathan S. Abernethy – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Thomas E. Bezanson – Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- Jason A. Brown – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Mark S. Cohen – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Mark Spatz – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- C. Evan Stewart – Litigation – Securities
- Luke Appling – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Securities
- Sharon L. Barbour – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- William E. Kalema – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Alexandra K. Theobald – Commercial Litigation
The guide highlights C&G’s “elite group of practitioners” and use of advanced machine learning techniques and notes that the firm “handle[s] cases that are every bit as complex and challenging as big, national law firms.” Commentators noted that the firm “punches way above its weight” in litigation and investigation matters.
C&G Co-Founder Mark S Cohen is one of only two lawyers in the United States to be recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in both Securities Litigation: Defense and Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense. Commentary from The Legal 500 recognizes Mark as a “top-tier advocate” who is “at the top of the profession” and “can litigate with the best of them.”
For the first time, C&G’s Antitrust practice has been recognized in Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense for its handling of class action cases concerning allegations of cartel behavior, monopolization, and other exclusionary conducts. The Legal 500 cites the leadership of Melissa H Maxman and the addition of “heavyweight” lawyer John Roberti as key reasons for the practice’s recognition.
C&G is again recognized in the Advice to Individuals and Advice to Corporates categories of the Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense section. The Legal 500 commentary notes that the practice is led by “partners with deep experience who obtain excellent results for clients” and is “well placed to handle transatlantic cases” with offices in New York, Paris, and London, and has “particular expertise in financial crime, antitrust enforcement, public corruption, and tax issues.”
The guide has also recognized C&G once again in the General Commercial Disputes category, praising the practice for showing the “discipline and focus necessary to win a case.” Testimonials from the guide highlight the team’s ability to “handle large and complex matters” with “experienced people, good judgment,” and “better use of technology.”
For the 10th consecutive year, C&G has been recognized in the Securities Litigation: Defense category for the firm’s “expertise in the financial services sector” and “recognized trial expertise” in cross-border and domestic securities litigation and enforcement proceedings. The Legal 500 emphasizes the team’s “strong practitioners” and “attentiveness to clients” in the 2022 guide.
Recognized Practices:
- Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense
- Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals
- Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates
- General Commercial Disputes
- Securities Litigation: Defense
Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense
- Melissa H Maxman
- John Roberti
- Ronald F Wick
- Jonathan S Abernethy
- Jason Brown
- Mark S Cohen
- S Gale Dick
- Jeffrey I Lang
- Melissa H Maxman
- Reggie Schafer
- Mark S Cohen
- S Gale Dick
- Lawrence T Gresser
- Melissa H Maxman
- Daniel H Tabak
- Jonathan S Abernethy
- Mark S Cohen
- S Gale Dick
- Lawrence T Gresser
The Legal 500 analyzes the capabilities of law firms across the world. Its rankings “highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.”
C&G’s Commercial Litigation practice is once again ranked in Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded. The practice is recognized for being “regularly sought after by individuals and corporates for representation in securities class actions and derivative matters, as well as various shareholder and product litigation.” Clients note that the team is comprised of “litigators that you don’t want to mess with” and is one that “you can rely on.”
C&G’s White Collar Defense & Regulation practice is ranked in Chambers USA for the ninth consecutive year. The practice maintains its position as one of the “Elite” firms in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations. Chambers highlights the practice’s “talented pool of litigators with a wealth of government experience” and its “international presence” as key reasons for its continued ranking. Commentary from the guide notes that the practice is “a substantial player in the New York white-collar world” that has “burst onto the scene with strong former prosecutors” and “good results for their clients.”
Ranked Departments:
- Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded
- Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite
District of Columbia
Antitrust: Litigation Specialists
New York
Litigation: General Commercial
Litigation: Securities Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of the lawyers in each state are selected as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5 percent are selected as Rising Stars.
Super Lawyers
Jonathan S Abernethy: Criminal Defense: White Collar
Kwaku Andoh: Mergers & Acquisitions
Elizabeth Bernhardt: Business Litigation
Thomas E Bezanson: Personal Injury – Products: Defense
Colin C Bridge: Criminal Defense: White Collar
Karen H Bromberg: Intellectual Property
Jason Brown: Criminal Defense: White Collar
Joanna K Chan: Securities Litigation
Mark S Cohen: Business Litigation
S Gale Dick: Business Litigation
Christian R Everdell: Criminal Defense: White Collar
Lawrence T Gresser: Business Litigation
Oliver S Haker: Business Litigation
Johannes Jonas: Mergers & Acquisitions
Nicholas J Kaiser: Real Estate
Jeffrey I. Lang: Business Litigation
Melissa H Maxman: Antitrust Litigation
Ellen Paltiel: General Litigation
Nathaniel P T Read: Business Litigation
Bonnie J Roe: Securities & Corporate Finance
Stephen M Sinaiko: Business Litigation
C Evan Stewart: Securities Litigation
Daniel H Tabak: Business Litigation
Scott D Thomson: Business Litigation
Alexandra Wald: Business Litigation
Ronald F Wick: Antitrust Litigation
Rising Stars
Luke Appling: Civil Litigation
Sharon L Barbour: Criminal Defense: White Collar
Drew S Dean: General Litigation
William Kalema: Business Litigation
Sri Kuehnlenz: Civil Litigation
Winnifred A Lewis: Securities Litigation
Marvin J Lowenthal: Criminal Defense: White Collar
Barbara K Luse: Criminal Defense: White Collar
Matthew V Povolny: Business Litigation
Benjamin Zhu: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Jonathan S. Abernethy – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Thomas E. Bezanson – Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation: Defense
- Jason A. Brown – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Mark S. Cohen – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Evan Stewart – Litigation – Securities
- Sharon L. Barbour – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Winnifred A. Lewis – Commercial Litigation
- Alexandra K. Theobald – Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals
- Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates
- General Commercial Disputes
- Securities Litigation: Defense
- Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded
- White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite
Mark S Cohen, Jonathan S Abernethy, Jason Brown, C Evan Stewart, and Thomas E Bezanson were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America‘s 2021 New York listings. Mark, Jonathan, and Jason were recognized for white collar criminal defense; Evan for securities litigation; and Tom for commercial litigation and product liability litigation defense. Additionally, Sharon L Barbour, Winnifred A Lewis, and Nicole Dhir were recognized in the New York list of The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch. Sharon was recognized for white collar criminal defense; Winnifred for commercial litigation; and Nicole for commercial litigation and securities litigation.
- Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals
- Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates
- General Commercial Disputes
- Securities Litigation: Defense
Chambers has recognized Cohen & Gresser in its 2020 USA guide for its achievements in General Commercial Litigation and White Collar Crime & Government Investigations. Chambers commentary highlights the firm's "thoroughness, quality, responsiveness, client care and availability,” noting that "the level of service is stellar, the work product is uniformly superb,” and that C&G is "a great firm with high quality across the board."
Chambers also recognized the following individuals: Jonathan S Abernethy for White Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Karen H Bromberg for Intellectual Property: Patent; Mark S Cohen for Securities Litigation and White Collar Crime & Government Investigations; and Lawrence T Gresser for Commercial Litigation.
- Corporate Investigations/White Collar
- Corporate Investigations/White Collar – Advice to Individuals
- General Commercial Disputes
- Securities Litigation Defense
Chambers has again recognized C&G for its excellence in General Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation, and White Collar Crime & Government Investigations. Chambers notes C&G’s “strong commitment to client service” and “top-quality advice,” labeling the firm as “outstanding.”
Chambers also recognized the following individuals: Jonathan S Abernethy for White Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Karen H Bromberg for Intellectual Property: Patent; and Mark S Cohen for General Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation, and White Collar Crime & Government Investigations.
- Corporate Investigations/White Collar – Advice to Corporates
- Corporate Investigations/White Collar – Advice to Individuals
- General Commercial Disputes
- Securities Litigation Defense
Chambers has recognized Cohen & Gresser in its 2018 USA guide. The firm is recognized for its excellence in General Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation, and White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations.
Chambers notes that C&G is "a very high-quality firm" with "very smart, very capable people who are very dedicated to their clients," and that C&G attorneys "have great judgment and are excellent lawyers."
Chambers also recognized the following individuals:
Jonathan S Abernethy for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Karen H Bromberg for Intellectual Property: Patent, and Mark S Cohen for Securities Litigation and for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations.
Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce the expansion of the firm's litigation and arbitration and white collar defense practice groups with the addition of partner Stephen Sinaiko to our New York office.
Goldman Escapes MBS Class Action Over Lack Of Evidence.
The Legal 500 United States ranked Cohen & Gresser for its achievements in securities litigation in its recently released 2015 guide. The guide notes Cohen & Gresser’s “extraordinary team of attorneys, who present cases in the best and most efficient manner practicable.” Partners Mark S. Cohen, Lawrence T Gresser, S Gale Dick, C Evan Stewart, and Daniel H Tabak were also noted as “impressive” attorneys in this field. The Legal 500 offers nationwide rankings by reviewing the strengths and strategies of law firms across the country. Founded in 1987, Legalease, publisher of the Legal 500 directories, is a leader in the provision of legal market information, offering authoritative and in-depth analysis and commentary across a broad portfolio of publications, spanning directories, magazines, journals, textbooks, and online. The Legal 500 U.S. 2015 Guide offers nationwide rankings by reviewing the strengths and strategies of law firms across the country.
On Wednesday January 21st, 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission slapped Standard & Poor’s with a one-year suspension from rating certain mortgage-backed securities as part of a $77 million settlement over alleged fraudulent misconduct in past ratings. Here, C&G Partner C Evan Stewart weighs in on why the settlement is significant.
Cohen & Gresser has been ranked as a "Recommended" New York law firm in the 2015 edition of Benchmark Litigation. In addition to the firm’s ranking, partners Mark S Cohen, Lawrence T Gresser, C Evan Stewart, and Karen H Bromberg were all individually recognized by the publication. Benchmark Litigation is a leading guide to top litigation firms and attorneys in the United States and bases its rankings on extensive face-to-face interviews around the country over a six-month period with the nation's leading private practice attorneys and in-house counsel.
The Legal 500 United States ranked Cohen & Gresser for its achievements in securities litigation in its recently released 2014 guide. Legal 500 noted that the firm is "young and nimble," naming Mark S Cohen as the leader of a team of "experienced lawyers who work at a more palatable price than competing firms." Lawrence T Gresser and Daniel H Tabak are also recommended in light of their successful dismissal of a short swing profits case for Goldman Sachs, and C Evan Stewart was highlighted in the report as an "incredible trial lawyer with big case experience."
C&G's managing partner Lawrence T Gresser and other top Manhattan attorneys, weigh in on why the decision in Halliburton Co. et al. v. Erica P. John Fund is significant.
A recent ruling in favor of Cohen & Gresser client Peter Black marked the end of one of the longest SEC's trials in history. AmLaw's Litigation Daily recognized this victory by naming Mark S Cohen as a "Litigator of the Week".
On Friday, May 30, 2014, a Cohen & Gresser trial team led by Mark S Cohen and Jonathan S Abernethy won a major trial victory on behalf of its client, Wynnefield Capital Inc. analyst Peter Black, in an insider trading case brought by the SEC.
Chambers USA ranked Cohen & Gresser's White Collar Defense group and listed its Securities Litigation group as a Recognized Practice. In its analysis, Chambers USA commented that the firm is "[n]oted for its litigation capabilities across the full spectrum of industry sectors" and has a "[r]espected white-collar crime and government investigations practice."
Mark S. Cohen is ranked in the White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations category, has been described as being an "effective advocate and very effective at counseling a client through a very difficult investigative process." Jonathan S Abernethy, also ranked in the White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations category, received praise for his "excellent knowledge of the law."
Cohen & Gresser is defending an individual accused of participating in an insider trading scam in a long-standing case brought by the SEC. Law360 covered the beginning of the trial and Partner Mark S. Cohen’s opening statement.
Law360's coverage of the recent Second Circuit ruling which affirmed Wednesday that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. won't have to disgorge nearly $2 million in short-swing trade profits of Leap Wireless International Inc. derivatives, finding Goldman wasn't a statutory Leap insider when it purchased the options in question.
This C&G Client Alert examines the proposed Insider Trading Prohibition Act recently unanimously approved by the Financial Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. If the bill becomes law, it would simplify an inherently complex legal area, but might also lead to regulators and prosecutors bringing more insider trading cases.
Christian R Everdell analyzes the potential implications of the regulation of cryptocurrency as a result of Ryan Coffey v. Ripple Labs, Inc. in his latest article for Law360.
Even start-ups are being disrupted! In this article, C&G counsel Christian Everdell examines the SEC’s role in regulating Initial Coin Offerings.
Newly revised Regulation A, dubbed Regulation A+, is designed to help smaller companies raise funds in public markets. This articles explores some opportunities offered by this regulatory innovation.
Lawyers who represent public companies are faced with a problem about which most are clueless. In a number of states (including New York), lawyers’ confidentiality obligations are at odds with the requirements mandated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Is there a way out of this conundrum? Mr. Stewart attempts to get to the bottom of this matter in his latest article in the New York Law Journal.
After clearing a last minute hurdle, Regulation A+ became effective on June 19, 2015. The new SEC regulation is designed to facilitate a mini-IPO market for U.S. and Canadian companies that are not yet ready to do a full registered offering. On June 16, 2015, the SEC refused to stay the implementation of the regulation during the pendency of litigation in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where the Montana state auditor and commissioner of Securities and Insurance, together with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, seek to challenge the new rule’s preemption of state securities laws for certain offerings.
Recent developments in insider trading cases have shown the limitations on prosecutions and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement actions, particulalry those involving chains of tippers and tippees charged with receiving and trading on material, non-public information. This article addresses how recent trial and appellate outcomes highlight limitations for insider trading cases and will suggest some resulting practice implications.
The SEC has recently undertaken a review of its principal regulations for periodic reporting by publicly traded companies, in response to claims that the reporting process has become overly burdensome and that investors are blinded by “disclosure overload” that makes it difficult to discern the important facts within a mass of detail. If the regulations were re-written today, they would undoubtedly focus on some different issues. But the key to more effective disclosure lies in better presentation. Companies can (and sometimes do) present information in easy-to-understand formats, and they should be encouraged to do so. In addition, the SEC has a chance to make its website more user-friendly for investors, and it should seize this opportunity to do so.
In a further analysis of Judge Rakoff’s multi-year attempts to discourage the SEC from seeking federal courts to put their imprimatur on regulatory settlements, Mr. Stewart questions whether the Second Circuit’s opinion was truly a “loss” for Judge Rakoff; indeed, it would appear that the Judge may well achieve what he wanted in the first place.
Because of the whistleblower provisions of federal statutes such as Dodd-Frank, recent case law, and various articles written on this subject, there has been a fair amount of disinformation as to whether lawyers are free to rat on their clients and then also profit thereby. This article explores related concepts with intentions of determining what is right.
Regardless of which side ultimately benefits, the Supreme Court's message for antitrust litigants is clear: Class action is an exception to the usual rule.
Will proposed Regulation A+ result in a vibrant public market for smaller company stocks, or will it remain unused like current Regulation A? The proposed regulation would exempt offerings of up to $50 million of securities annually from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, an increase from the current limit of $5 million within a 12-month period.
Dell’s board of directors played a starring role in helping Michael Dell defeat the legal challenge of taking Dell Inc. private in a $25 billion dollar buyout. The committee’s role in protecting the transaction is a text book lesson on navigating complex transactions.
When a sovereign nation defaults, investors in its debt securities are often left without recourse. NML Capital, Ltd. v. Republic of Argentina is reimagining, and may even protect, the rights of U.S. corporations holding foreign sovereign debt.
A series of recent decisions suggest that courts are actively considering the practicality of the fraud-on-the-market doctrine, which has historically been one basis for argument by plaintiffs in securities class actions.
Corporations of all sizes, public and private, are susceptible to shareholder derivative suits. Fortunately, recent decisions from the Delaware courts suggest at least two mechanisms counsel can employ to limit exposure to derivative litigation in multiple forums and to minimize the burden of those cases.
With interest rates at historic lows and the economy slowly strengthening, leveraged buyouts (“LBOs”) remain a popular means of corporate recapitalization. But a spate of recent litigation has signaled that the predictable LBO benefits traditionally available to tendering shareholders may be in jeopardy. This article explores the recent decision in In re Tribune Fraudulent Conveyance Litigation, which provided the most comprehensive examination of various LBO issues, to date.
Mr. Stewart talks about how the SEC has suffered serious blows when it was forced to be an advocate in the federal courts.
A discussion of the amendment to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act and its impact on investment in non-reporting entities.