Securities Litigation
We represent individuals harmed by corporate wrongdoing, using securities litigation and whistleblower suits to pursue justice and financial recovery.
$5B
In 2019, Facebook agreed to a $5 billion settlement with the FTC over privacy violations related to the Cambridge
Analytica scandal.
1
Federal Trade Commission, “FTC Imposes
$5 Billion Penalty and Sweeping New Privacy
Restrictions on Facebook,” (July 24, 2019).
$5 Billion Penalty and Sweeping New Privacy
Restrictions on Facebook,” (July 24, 2019).
$3B
In 2020, Wells Fargo paid a $3 billion settlement to the SEC and DOJ over its fraudulent sales practices, including
the creation of millions of fake accounts.
2
Office of Public Affairs, “Wells Fargo Agrees to
Pay $3 Billion to Resolve Criminal and Civil
Investigations into Sales Practices Involving
the Opening of Millions of Accounts Without
Customer Authorization,” (Feb. 21, 2020).
Pay $3 Billion to Resolve Criminal and Civil
Investigations into Sales Practices Involving
the Opening of Millions of Accounts Without
Customer Authorization,” (Feb. 21, 2020).
$2.9B
In 2020, Goldman Sachs agreed to pay over $2.9 billion globally to settle charges related to the 1MDB bribery and money-laundering scandal.
3
U.S. Department of Justice, “Goldman
Sachs Charged in Foreign Bribery Case
and Agrees to Pay Over $2.9 Billion,”
(Oct. 22, 2020)
Sachs Charged in Foreign Bribery Case
and Agrees to Pay Over $2.9 Billion,”
(Oct. 22, 2020)
$6B
In 2022, Allianz Global Investors agreed to pay over $6 billion in restitution for misrepresenting risks and abandoning strategies in its Structured Alpha funds.
4
Jarett Sena, “Securities-Related Class
Action Settlements of 2023,” Institutional
Shareholder Services (Jan. 18, 2024).
Action Settlements of 2023,” Institutional
Shareholder Services (Jan. 18, 2024).
In 2022, cryptocurrency exchange FTX collapsed, leading to over $8 billion in investor losses due to alleged securities fraud and other financial misconduct.
5
Securities and Exchange Commission,
“Securities and Exchange Commission
v. Samuel Bankman-Fried,” United States
District Court for the Southern District of
New York, Case No. 22-cv-10501
(Dec. 13, 2022).
“Securities and Exchange Commission
v. Samuel Bankman-Fried,” United States
District Court for the Southern District of
New York, Case No. 22-cv-10501
(Dec. 13, 2022).
Notorious incidents like the Enron scandal, the Subprime Mortgage Crisis, and the FTX collapse highlight the devastating consequences of financial misconduct. These events, along with insider trading and market manipulation, inflict trillions of dollars in losses when adjusted for inflation, destroy jobs, bankrupt businesses, and erode the life savings of countless individuals and families.
We help investors and workers recoup losses and safeguard their interests against the devastating impacts of corporate fraud. Our firm is dedicated to enhancing shareholder value and corporate governance by addressing a spectrum of corporate misconduct, from options backdating and insider trading to fraudulent financial reporting.
Overview
White-collar crime often evades detection due to its intricate concealment methods and cross-border complexities, evidenced by a mere 1% detection and prosecution rate.
In 2014, Bank of America reached a record $16.65 billion settlement with the U.S. DOJ to resolve federal and state civil claims, related to financial fraud and the sale of toxic mortgage-backed securities, contributing to the 2008 financial crisis.
7
Department of Justice, “Bank of America
to Pay $16.65 Billion in Historic Justice
Department Settlement for Financial
Fraud Leading up to and During the
Financial Crisis,” Office of Public Affairs
(Aug. 21, 2014).
to Pay $16.65 Billion in Historic Justice
Department Settlement for Financial
Fraud Leading up to and During the
Financial Crisis,” Office of Public Affairs
(Aug. 21, 2014).
Corporate Accountability
Our litigation practice fights tirelessly for investors who have been harmed by corporate wrongdoing. We hold corporations accountable for securities fraud, ponzi schemes, insider trading, market manipulation, and accounting fraud. Our pursuit of shareholder actions, coupled with our unwavering support for whistleblowers, allows us to expose misconduct. We remain focused on enforcing fiduciary duties, protecting investors, and securing justice for those who have been wronged.
White-collar crime is pervasive and often goes unreported and unprosecuted, with occupational fraud alone accounting
for over $3.6 billion in global losses annually, according to ACFE estimates.
8
Annette Greene, “Fraud: Trends to Look
For,” Defense Logistics Agency Disposition
Services Office of Internal Review
(July 27, 2022).
For,” Defense Logistics Agency Disposition
Services Office of Internal Review
(July 27, 2022).
Shareholders' Rights
- Securities Fraud: Initiate legal action for securities fraud, including insider trading and misrepresentation.
- Derivative Lawsuits: Hold executives accountable for corporate wrongdoing when the company fails to act.
- Class Actions: Unite to recover losses from corporate malpractices through collective legal action.
- Whistleblower Protection: Support whistleblowers exposing unethical or illegal conduct within corporations and protect them from retaliation.
- Investment Recovery: Seek recovery for losses due to embezzlement, accounting fraud, and other white-collar crimes.
We advocate for clients seeking to recover losses from fraudulent corporate practices.
Lawyers' Role
- Strategic Legal Advocacy: We transform complex securities laws into clear, actionable paths for our clients, ensuring they understand their rights and the legal avenues available for redress.
- Focused Plaintiff Representation: We represent plaintiffs against powerful corporations, concentrating on recovering financial losses and holding entities accountable for fraud and misrepresentation.
- Direct Action for Accountability: We actively pursue legal actions against individuals and companies responsible for financial misconduct, seeking not only compensation, but also to improve practices for the wider community.
- Tailored Case Development: Each claim is meticulously developed, with evidence gathered and arguments honed to present the strongest possible case.
How We Can Help
Fraudulent Misrepresentation and False Financial Statements
Represent investors harmed by false or misleading statements, fraudulent financial disclosures, or misrepresentations that lead to financial losses, pursuing accountability and restitution.
Failure to Disclose Material Information
Advocate for investors affected by companies failing to disclose material information, seeking recovery for losses caused by nondisclosure and promoting transparency in securities markets.
Market Manipulation and Insider Trading
Pursue claims against pump-and-dump schemes, insider trading, and price manipulation, advocating for remedies that promote market integrity and investor trust.
Ponzi Schemes and Financial Fraud
Take action against orchestrators of Ponzi schemes and fraudulent investment operations, seeking assets for defrauded investors and holding wrongdoers accountable.
Hedge Fund and Private Equity Fraud
Handle cases involving hedge fund and private equity misconduct, such as misappropriation of funds, valuation fraud, and undisclosed risky investments, to protect investor interests.
Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Fraud
Represent investors harmed by fraudulent token offerings, unregistered securities sales, or algorithmic trading scams in digital markets, seeking accountability and investor compensation.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Corporate Mismanagement
Hold officers, directors, and fund managers accountable for conflicts of interest, mismanagement, and breaches of fiduciary duty that harm shareholders or other stakeholders.
Emerging Securities Trends (SPACs and ESG Claims)
Address fraud in Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), valuation misrepresentation, and ESG “greenwashing” claims, promoting accountability in emerging markets.
Whistleblower Protections in Securities Fraud
Represent whistleblowers exposing securities violations under SEC and CFTC programs, pursuing protections and financial rewards for uncovering corporate misconduct.
Financial Advisor Misconduct and Arbitration
Advocate for investors harmed by unsuitable investment strategies, excessive fees, or fraudulent financial advisor practices, offering arbitration as a cost-effective alternative to litigation.
Class Actions for Excessive Mutual Fund Fees
Lead class actions against mutual funds for excessive or hidden fees, recovering investor losses and promoting transparency in fund management.
Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Debt Restructuring Fraud
Litigate creditor claims involving fraudulent leveraged buyouts, improper debt restructuring, or misrepresented financial performance, promoting equitable outcomes in bankruptcy cases.
Bank Failures and AML Violations
Represent clients harmed by financial institutions’ failures to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, holding banks accountable for enabling illegal transactions or neglecting compliance.