Basic facts about the department
Key offices include New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
What the team is known for Equally adept in the spheres of litigation and regulation. Offers a leading securities litigation team in California and a strong New York offering and frequently achieves victories in shareholder derivative litigation. Houses a formidable bench of former officers of the SEC and Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) accomplished in high stakes enforcement matters.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They have done an extraordinary job of putting together the case and mastered some very complex material. They have done a great job of locating and preparing witnesses and their arguments are easy to understand. They're very responsive and very good communicators with lots of intellectual horsepower."
"The lawyers in the compliance and securities law area have each provided very valuable advice. They're responsive experts in their field and have done a great job."
"They're extremely knowledgeable about the area in which we consult them and they're very efficient and very responsive."
Work highlights Successfully appealed in the Supreme Court to bar claims against clients Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley relating to 106 offerings of RMBS, leaving the previous ruling in the Second Circuit intact.
Successfully defended Nelson Obus, the general partner of Wynnefield Capital, in an insider trading case brought by the SEC. After two years of discovery, the team successfully achieved summary judgment.
Notable practitioners
Barry Goldsmith, formerly the chief litigation counsel of the SEC, cochairs the firm's securities enforcement group. Sources say: "Barry is particularly good on market regulation issues and trading issues."
Mark Kirsch is at the vanguard of the US securities litigation market and enjoys a stunning reputation. One peer states: "Mark Kirsch is really coming into his own. He's had a lot of interesting cases for financial institutions and has a very effective courtroom manner."
Former director of the division of corporate finance Brian Lane is a prominent figure in the securities advisory space, often counseling on compliance matters and corporate governance. According to clients: "He is outstanding. He has a great depth of knowledge. He is always accessible and gives quick and effective advice."
John Olson is a principal figure in the advisory sphere and frequently advises on corporate governance. Commentators say: "He's a dean of this Bar. He's very smart, forthright and does the right thing. And he's a pleasure to deal with."
Joseph Warin, chair of the DC office's litigation department, is a noted expert in white collar and is skilled in both civil litigation and in defending corporations, officers and directors in enforcement actions brought by the SEC. Clients describe him as "absolutely fantastic."
Los Angeles-based Dean Kitchens is highlighted as one of the top securities litigators in California. He is often called on to represent issuers, underwriters, accounting firms and individuals in complex securities litigation. Sources regard him as "a phenomenal trial lawyer" who has "consistently good judgment."
Mark Schonfeld enjoys a growing reputation in the arena of regulatory enforcement. Clients describe him as "a very strategic, seasoned professional. He's measured, thoughtful and incredibly proactive in terms of keeping clients updated. He's detail-oriented and produces extremely high quality work."
Lawrence Zweifach is a former federal prosecutor and headed up the criminal division at the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. He is identified for his broad strength across securities litigation, enforcement and white collar defense. Sources say: "He is very deft and always keeps his head - a great lawyer."
Significant clients Allergan, Corvex Management, J.P. Morgan Chase, UBS, PricewaterhouseCoopers.