Howard R. Elisofon, Partner

We represented a senior executive investment advisor formerly associated with the now infamous Stanford Financial Group in a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation. In 2011, the SEC issued a Wells Notice concerning our client's alleged fraudulent disclosures and affirmative misrepresentations in the sales of Stanford International Bank CDs, allegedly a massive Ponzi scheme. After making two submissions in response to the Wells Notice and an oral presentation to the staff at the SEC's Fort Worth office, we successfully persuaded the SEC to issue a no-action letter stating that it will not bring any charges against the client.

Represented a defendant charged with insider trading by the Securities Exchange Commission.

Representation of a leading independent broker-dealer against claims of defamation and tortious interference asserted by a competitor firm.

Represented international insurance carrier in its attempts to recover a two million dollar indebtedness from a former account executive.

Represented four account executives in an FINRA investigation alleging the falsification of records during a raiding dispute.

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.

Represented the principal of a brokerage firm in an NASD customer arbitration for breach of contract.

Representation of two foreign citizens in connection with an SEC lawsuit alleging insider trading of Dow Jones' stock.

Represented an investor group in connection with fraud and misrepresentation claims against an investment manager in various private investments.

Representation of multiple stock brokers of a national retail brokerage firm in a FINRA investigation into various sales practice violations.

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.

Representation of two hedge fund managers in an SEC investigation relating to market timing activities. No charges were instituted.

Representation of multiple employees from a public company in an SEC investigation alleging misstatements in the company’s public filings. No charges were instituted.

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.

Representation of a national retail brokerage firm in a joint U.S. Attorney/SEC investigation of illegal "frontrunning" trading activity.

Representation of First Allied Securities in an NASD arbitration in Seattle, Washington involving claims against a competitor for raiding an entire division of the company, including multiple brokers in multiple offices.

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.

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.

Representation of a national retail brokerage firm in an NASD customer arbitration alleging sales practice violations.

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.

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.