Class & Derivative Action Defense

Aggressive Representation of Officers and Directors. We focus on defending officers and directors of public companies against class and derivative actions alleging wrongdoing in the securities, commodities, antitrust, and other areas. We do not simply proceed through the case for years waiting for settlement. Rather, from the inception of the case, we prepare to prevail at trial and to attack the case with offensive motions.

Experience in Parallel Proceedings. Our government enforcement defense experience gives us an enhanced capacity to handle class or derivative actions brought in the context of parallel criminal or regulatory investigations. We leverage our experience in other practice areas to avoid the pitfalls and exploit the opportunities created by parallel proceedings.

Recent representations include:

• Representation of the former Senior Vice Chairman of the American International Group, Inc. in several securities class and derivative actions in U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York and Delaware Chancery Court alleging violations relating to accounting issues and insurance product marketing practices.
• Representation of the former Chief Financial Officer of DHB Industries in multiple securities class and derivative actions in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York alleging violations relating to accounting issues.
• Representation of the former Chief Financial Officer of Comverse Technology, Inc. in several securities class and derivative actions in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York alleging violations from "options backdating" issues.
• Representation of a former executive of Morgan Crucible PLC in a class action in U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey arising from allegations of international price fixing.
• Representation of the former Treasurer of Cablevision in a derivative action in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York alleging violations from "options backdating" issues.