Recent Regulatory Investigation/Enforcement Defense

• Represented prominent real estate investment company, affiliated broker-dealer, and executive officers in FINRA regulatory examination, Enforcement investigation and Wells process, and in resulting enforcement action (disciplinary proceeding) asserting federal securities fraud claims and seeking industry expulsion and lifetime bars. Led trial team through two-week trial before FINRA hearing panel and post-trial briefing, and obtained complete dismissal of all charges in complaint. (FINRA Case No. 2016048393501).
• Represented real estate investment company and affiliated broker-dealer in subsequent SEC and FINRA examinations, terminated with no enforcement action.
• Represented EB-5 Regional Center and investment fund manager in SEC enforcement action and as witness in related DOJ criminal action against investment promoters, and represented EB-5 investment fund in related bankruptcy cases involving real estate developer/borrower and in state court loan recovery actions.
• Represented national broker-dealer in FINRA Membership Continuance application and SEC bad actor waiver following statutory disqualification stemming from prior litigation.
• Represented regional broker-dealer in FINRA investigation into alleged sales practice violations; obtained termination with no enforcement action.
• Represented regional broker-dealer and CEO in SEC application for review (appeal) of unfavorable ruling from FINRA appellate council following hearing in FINRA enforcement action (disciplinary proceeding), as obtained by prior counsel.
• Represented numerous individual officers in SEC investigations (including surety company executive, investment fund manager, co-owner/manager of oil and gas investment and development entities). Obtained termination letters or other favorable resolutions.
• Represented former sales executive of enterprise software company in SEC and DOJ investigations relating to acquisition by leading technology company and related accounting issues, and as witness in connection with criminal matters involving principal executives.
• Represented real estate investment company, public REIT, private investment fund, broker-dealer affiliate, and related individuals in SEC investigation involving numerous claims centering on securities offerings and investment program operations. Obtained termination with no enforcement action.
• Represented Nevada private company and officers in SEC investigation involving numerous securities offering and disclosure issues (following Wells Notice and Wells Submission). Obtained termination with no enforcement action.

Recent Commercial Litigation & Corporate Governance

• Represented technology industry client in connection with indemnification disputes with equipment and software vendors in context of industry-wide patent litigation.
• Represented private healthcare management business in dispute with major shareholder/investor, and in subsequent buy-out transactions.
• Represented co-creator of social media platform in connection with litigation funding agreement and disputes, settlement, and related issues.
• Represented restaurant operating company in employment/wage and hour PAGA and class action cases in California state courts.
• Represented fitness gym franchise company against state court fraud and contract claims brought by alleged former partial owner bought out prior to company sale to new investor/majority owner.
• Represented founders of music distribution business in corporate governance/control disputes with foreign private equity investor and in related state and federal litigation involving supermajority voting provisions in shareholder agreement; obtained favorable settlement through a buyout of investor and dismissal of all litigation.
• Represented nutritional supplement makers in state and federal class actions asserting mislabeling/false advertising under California UCL and CLRA and other claims; obtained dismissals on theories of equitable abstention and primary jurisdiction doctrine, and nationwide settlement of remaining claims. (In one case, client obtained significant recovery against plaintiffs’ counsel on defamation claims arising out of statements in YouTube video.)
• Represented angel investor in lighting technology company in connection with corporate governance disputes (voting procedures, selection of new CEO, pursuit of merger strategy); obtained requested remedial measures and payment of fees from majority investors.
• Represented public film distribution company in Delaware litigation involving reverse termination fees arising out of counterparty buyer’s breach of a merger agreement.

Recent Securities Litigation Matters

• Represented groups of senior officers of electric and hydrogen vehicle companies following SPAC transactions, in internal investigations and SEC investigations.
• Represented California bank holding company in shareholder “merger objection” litigation and related “disclosure only” settlement arising out of acquisition of Texas bank holding company.
• Represented VC investors and directors on portfolio healthcare company board in connection with shareholder derivative claims, special committee investigation and corporate governance issues; obtained payment of fees in Delaware litigation after refusal of shareholder claims.
• Represented bank holding company in shareholder class action alleging violations of federal securities laws and fiduciary duties of disclosure in connection with proxy statement regarding reverse stock split; defeated TRO application regarding shareholder vote and obtained dismissal of all claims (2009 WL 4911850) and voluntary dismissal of Ninth Circuit appeal.
• Represented Brazilian businessman/investor as plaintiff in state court action against founders of “Christian-themed entertainment” company on fraud claims under California securities laws and common law; matter proceeded to trial in L.A. Superior Court, resulting in favorable jury verdict and significant award of compensatory and punitive damages.
• Represented public real estate services company in internal investigation involving undisclosed letter agreements and related accounting and financial reporting issues, and in connection with restatement of financial statements and related SEC inquiries.

Selected Prior Representative Matters

• Represented media company, directors and officers in federal securities and ERISA litigation and Delaware fiduciary duty litigation relating to exchange offer and split-off of subsidiary; obtained dismissal of all securities law claims (504 F. Supp. 2d 151), ERISA claims (2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 85831), and fiduciary duty claims (2008 WL 308450, aff’d, 965 A.2d 676).
• Represented Canadian graphics chip maker, directors and officers in shareholder derivative action in California state court; obtained dismissal of majority of claims based on Canadian law applicable under “internal affairs” doctrine and voluntary dismissal of remaining claim.
• Represented California and China-based telecommunications equipment manufacturer in connection with internal investigation regarding accounting irregularities, and in related SEC investigation, securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Also represented company in private arbitration regarding termination of professional services agreement with cell phone handset distributor/consultant.
• Represented companies, directors and officers in internal investigations, SEC proceedings and federal and state shareholder derivative litigation regarding stock option practices.
• Represented computer and software companies, directors and officers in securities class action and shareholder derivative cases relating to financial reporting, restatements and other disclosure issues; obtained dismissals or favorable settlements.
• Represented software services company, directors and officers in breach of fiduciary duty litigation relating to application of California shareholder appraisal rights statutes in connection with corporate merger; case dismissed on eve of trial, dismissal upheld on appeal.
• Represented investment bank and individual bankers in federal court fraud and breach of fiduciary duty action relating to financial advisor engagement involving acquisition.
• Represented investment bank and individual banker as financial advisor/valuation expert to debtor software company in connection with bankruptcy litigation, in contested hearing/trial of business valuation issues, and with respect to contested issues regarding advisor/expert fees.
• Represented investment banks and individual bankers in connection with shareholder “merger objection” actions relating to M&A transactions and financial advisor engagements.
• Represented software company, directors and officers in shareholder derivative case relating to IPO pricing and underwriter allocation of shares in other IPOs, and in connection with related New York AG investigation.
• Represented Swiss industrial company, as parent of medical device companies, in nationwide medical device (joint implant) products liability litigation in federal and state courts, as to jurisdictional and intercorporate liability (alter ego) issues; resolved by nationwide global settlement and by dismissal of opt-out/non-covered cases.
• Represented German automotive parts manufacturer and U.S. affiliates in asbestos/products liability actions, as to jurisdictional and successor liability issues; obtained voluntary dismissals or dismissals on jurisdictional motions.
• Represented Italian mobile phone services provider and U.S. subsidiary in employment contract litigation by former CEO in California state court; successfully defeated the application for Temporary Restraining Order, and settled case on favorable terms.
• Represented various companies in NYSE, NASD and FINRA inquiries regarding pre-announcement stock trading and related subpoenas in SEC enforcement actions.
• Represented federal home loan bank in an internal investigation regarding the billing practices of an outside vendor/consultant and related issues.
• Represented pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) and parent pharmaceutical company in federal multidistrict litigation and class and representative plaintiff actions brought by retail pharmacy entities in state and federal courts alleging antitrust and unfair competition violations as to PBM practices and drug pricing.
• Represented electronics company in federal antitrust class action relating to alleged price-fixing and monopolization in electron power tubes industry; settled on very favorable terms.
• Represented Swiss/NY private bank broker-dealer in NASD arbitration brought by individual derivatives traders on fraud, breach of contract and employment-related claims.
• Represented Swiss private bank and French bank affiliates in litigation relating to “Prime Bank Notes”; obtained dismissal on lack of personal jurisdiction and forum non conveniens.
• Represented Austrian industrial company in breach of contract/warranty action involving hydroelectric generator at California hydroelectric power facility; case settled on eve of trial.