Futures Commission Merchant – Class Action
An FCM in a class action lawsuit defending against claims alleging that the firm engaged in, or assisted, a scheme to manipulate the prices of palladium and platinum futures contracts traded on NYMEX.
Brokerage Firm – Defamation Litigation
Representation of a leading independent broker-dealer against claims of defamation and tortious interference asserted by a competitor firm.
Investment Advisor – Successful Conclusion to Internal Investigation
Conducted an internal investigation for a nationally recognized investment adviser to a series of hedge funds following a whistleblower's complaint concerning SEC compliance and operational issues. Upon submission of a report of our investigation, which determined that the whistleblower's allegations had no merit, the SEC never brought charges.
Madoff Litigation – SIPC Trustee Actions
Representation of Madoff victims named as defendants in actions filed by the SIPC Trustee to recover monies withdrawn from their Madoff securities accounts. Those actions, which are commonly referred to as "clawback" claims, are before the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
International Insurance Carrier – Indebtedness Recovery
Represented international insurance carrier in its attempts to recover a two million dollar indebtedness from a former account executive.
Senior Broker – FINRA Investigation
Representation of a registered senior broker in a FINRA investigation into possible selling-away activities.
FINRA Investigation – Gift and Gratuity
Representation of a senior trader in a FINRA investigation into the possible violation of FINRA gift and gratuity rules.
International Insurer – FINRA Arbitration
Representation of a major international insurer in a FINRA arbitration brought by a group of customers alleging improper selling- away by an account executive.
Financial Service Firm – Insider Trading Investigation
Herrick successfully represented a financial services firm and key executives in a joint SEC and US Attorney's insider trading investigation related to the purchase of shares in multiple pharmaceutical companies, both domestic and foreign, prior to announcements of multibillion dollar mergers. The investigation concluded with no action taken against our clients.
NYSE Company – Internal Investigation
Representation of the Audit Committee of a New York Stock Exchange listed company to conduct an internal investigation of whistleblower claims brought by a former officer alleging that certain officers and directors had committed accounting fraud and violated the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Madoff Feeder Funds – Unprecedented Recovery from Largest Investment Fraud in History
Represented two Madoff feeder funds that had collectively lost over $160 million of principal and several hundred million dollars of phantom profit in the wake of the largest investment fraud in history. Herrick represented the funds in dozens of lawsuits including numerous class actions, an action by the Madoff Trustee, and an action by the Department of Labor. Herrick partner Arthur Jakoby ultimately orchestrated two settlements that will result in each of the funds' over 500 investors eventually recovering 100 percent of their principal investment and what is estimated to be a more than 40 percent - possibly as high as 60 percent - profit on their Madoff investment - arguably the most favorable outcome in the world for any investor who invested with Madoff through an investment feeder fund. The firm's achievements on behalf of the funds were widely covered by the media, including a Forbes report entitled "Meet The Madoff Victims That Profited From Their Investment," which lauded Arthur's litigation strategy and the result.
General Counsel – Options Backdating Class Action
Represented the former General Counsel of a major technology company in a class action against the company concerning stock options backdating.
Rogue Employee – CFTC and CME Investigations
Conducted an internal investigation into massive trading losses incurred by a rogue employee of a futures commission merchant, and represented the FCM in connection with investigations into the conduct by the CFTC and CME.
Retail Brokerage – NASD Investigation
Representation of a retail broker of a national retail brokerage firm in a NASD investigation alleging numerous sales practice violations in connection with customer accounts. No charges were instituted after the filing of a Wells submission.
National Retail Brokerage – State Court/NASD Arbitration
Represented a national retail brokerage firm in successfully seeking a TRO, permanent injunction and monetary damages in connection with raiding of employees by a competitor.
Senior Executive – U.S. Attorney/SEC Investigation
Representation of a senior executive of a national retail brokerage firm in a joint U.S. Attorney/SEC investigation relating to market timing activities. No charges were instituted against the executive.
National Retail Brokerage Firm – Arbitrations
Representation of a national retail brokerage firm and its employees in over 75 arbitrations alleging various sales practice violations.
Madoff Litigation – Filings Against the SEC
We represent a number of victims of Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme. In January of 2009, we filed notices of claim with the Securities & Exchange Commission alleging negligence under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The SEC rejected our claims six months later, and on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, we filed the historic and first known lawsuit against the SEC seeking monetary damages under the FTCA, Molchatsky and Schneider v. United States. We were lead counsel on the Molchatsky case and filed two additional cases against the United States on behalf of other Madoff victims. While the Second Circuit ultimately dismissed the action, essentially saying that the SEC had absolute immunity, the case sent a message that Herrick will leave no stone unturned on behalf of its clients. This work led to favorable tax relief legislation for Ponzi scheme victims as well as a complete overhaul of SEC staff policies and procedures.
Broker-Dealer – Employment Contracts
Representation of a regional bank broker-dealer in preparing employment contracts to hire an account executive.
Securities Finder – SEC Investigation
Representation of securities finder in a joint U.S. Attorney and SEC action alleging fraud in connection with securities lending.
Employees – SEC Investigation
Representation of multiple employees from a public company in an SEC investigation alleging misstatements in the company’s public filings. No charges were instituted.
Mutual Fund Company – NASD Arbitration
Representation of an international mutual fund company in a NASD arbitration brought by a senior officer seeking alleged wrongfully withheld compensation and bonuses.
Hedge Fund Managers – SEC Investigation
Representation of two hedge fund managers in an SEC investigation relating to market timing activities. No charges were instituted.
National Retail Brokerage Firm – Civil Litigation
Representation of a national retail brokerage firm in a state court action alleging sales practice violations.
Executive – SEC Investigation
Representation of an executive of a national retail brokerage firm in a joint U.S. Attorney and SEC action alleging fraud in connection with securities lending.
Branch Manager – FINRA Investigation
Representation of the branch manager of a national retail brokerage firm in a FINRA investigation involving the failure to supervise in connection with a major defalcation from a customer account by an administrative employee.
Stock Brokers – FINRA Investigation
Representation of multiple stock brokers of a national retail brokerage firm in a FINRA investigation into various sales practice violations.
International Investigation – Market Manipulation
Representation of a foreign citizen in connection with an indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and an SEC investigation alleging market manipulation of multiple OTC securities in the U.S. markets via the internet.
Investor Group – Fraud and Misrepresentation Claims
Represented an investor group in connection with fraud and misrepresentation claims against an investment manager in various private investments.
Regional Brokerage Firm – Investor Claims
Representation of a regional brokerage firm in multiple investor claims alleging fraud and misrepresentation in connection with a failed private placement.
Securities Trader/Broker-Dealer – Investigations
The principal of a securities trader/broker-dealer in connection with investigations by the New York State Attorney General and the SEC into mutual fund trading practices including market timing and late trading.
Investor – SEC Investigation
Representation of an investor in multiple inquiries by governmental authorities in connection with alleged insider trading.
Inter-Dealer Brokerage Firm – $500 Million Raiding Case
Represented the U.S. affiliate of a billion-dollar inter-dealer French brokerage firm in a large "key employee raiding case" brought by a competitor whose stock market valuation declined 24% (approximately $450 million) on the day following our client’s hire of approximately 20 of its credit derivatives brokers and employees. Following an intense oral argument by Herrick and other firms aligned with our client, a New York Supreme Court denied the plaintiff’s motion for a temporary restraining order and later denied a motion for preliminary injunction in rulings which allowed the subject employees to work for our client. The dispute then moved to a FINRA arbitration where we defended hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. After more than 240 hearing sessions, the matter was fully settled and all claims withdrawn.
Asset Management Company – Employment Issues
Represented one of the leading independent asset management companies in its defense of a wrongful termination action claiming religious discrimination, and in a separate action claiming discrimination based on disability. We continue to represent the company in all aspects of its employment disputes, and in risk management issues.
Trader – FINRA Investigation
Representation of a former trader at a national retail brokerage firm in a FINRA regulatory investigation into charges of front-running one of the firm's customers.
Securities Broker – Forgery Investigation
Representation of a broker in an NYSE regulatory investigation alleging that the broker forged managerial signatures on new accounts forms and disposed of original employer documents. The broker received an admonition letter in lieu of an enforcement proceeding being brought against him.
National Exchange Department Head – SEC Investigation
Representation of a department head of a national exchange's regulatory division in an SEC investigation into the exchange's failure to enforce its member surveillance program and filing false records with the SEC. The former department head received a cease-and-desist order with no monetary penalties assessed against him.
Brokerage Branch Manager – NASD Investigation
Representation of the branch manager of a regional brokerage firm in an NASD regulatory investigation into improper market timing activities that allegedly occurred in the branch office. No charges were brought against the branch manager.
Private Company Officers – SEC Investigation
Representation of officers of a non-public company in an SEC investigation of the company's unregistered offerings. The SEC alleged that the offerings violated various securities laws, but we convinced the SEC's New York Regional Staff to recommend that charges not be brought against these individuals.
Securities Brokerage Principal – NASD Arbitration
Represented the principal of a brokerage firm in an NASD customer arbitration for breach of contract.
Securities Broker – NASD Regulatory Proceeding
Representation of a broker in an NASD administrative proceeding alleging unsuitable and unauthorized transactions made in numerous clients' accounts.
National Retail Brokerage – NASD Arbitration
Representation of a national retail brokerage firm and a number of individual employees in NASD customer arbitrations alleging sales practice violations.
Retail Brokerage – NASD Arbitration
Representation of a national retail brokerage firm in an NASD customer arbitration alleging sales practice violations.
Securities Broker – Termination Disclosure Inquiry
Representation of a securities broker in an NASD regulatory inquiry relating to his termination disclosure concerning alleged forgery of customer signatures on new account forms.
Independent Broker-Dealer – State and NASD Litigation
Representation of a national independent broker-dealer in a New York State civil litigation and in a related NASD arbitration against former employees to recover fees and restitution payments made by the firm as a result of the misconduct of its former employees.
Securities Broker – State Regulatory Proceeding
Representation of a securities broker in a regulatory proceeding brought by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities alleging unregistered and unauthorized transactions.
Broker/Dealer – Non-Solicitation Dispute
Represented a registered broker/dealer in defending an action for a temporary restraining order brought by a competitor seeking to restrain our client’s brokers from contacting their respective clients.
Independent Directors – Internal Investigation
Represented the independent directors of a public corporation in conducting an internal investigation into shareholder derivative claims.
Financial Services Firm – FINRA Arbitration
Representation of a major financial services firm and one of its brokers in an arbitration brought by three customers seeking over $20 million in damages. Following 16 days of hearings before a FINRA panel, the customers received an award (less amounts awarded on our client’s counterclaim) of $28,430. The panel granted the broker’s request for an expungement of the matter from his CRD record.
Hedge Fund Collapse – SEC Investigation
Representation of the chief operating officer of a $1 billion hedge fund in connection with an SEC investigation into the fund's collapse and liquidation.
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