Molly M. White Partner

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Molly is co-chair of the firm’s fintech practice group. As a former Securities and Exchange Commission prosecutor, Molly brings her seasoned trial and trial preparation skills to a range of clients in complex commercial litigation and government, regulatory, and criminal investigation matters.

In her government role, Molly prosecuted cases in all areas of federal securities enforcement, including accounting fraud, offering fraud, options backdating and market-timing. During her tenure at the SEC, her legal skills and acumen were recognized by her receipt of the Director’s and Chairman’s Awards for Excellence.

In private practice, she has represented investment companies, broker-dealers, and individuals in investigations conducted by various regulators, including the SEC, FINRA, and the California Department of Business Oversight. Molly also has substantial experience conducting internal investigations for corporations.

In addition to her government regulatory and investigation practice, Molly represents business clients in a range of different types of commercial litigation. She has tried to verdict several large cases, including misappropriation of likeness, breach of contract, antitrust, and securities fraud cases.

Molly served as a law clerk to Stephen Trott on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Experience

Civil Litigation

  • Represented large financial institution in litigation brought by pension fund alleging failure to properly disclose mutual fund fees.
  • Represented fintech company in litigation against commercial borrower for breach of contract.
  • Member of trial team that successfully defended a large retail chain in a jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court, in which a model alleged misappropriation of his likeness.
  • Represented various financial institutions in litigation alleging that they aided and abetted Ponzi schemes.
  • Represented financial institution in litigation alleging breach of fiduciary duty and conversion.

Enforcement

  • Represented four senior executives in connection with an SEC investigation for failure to supervise a rogue financial advisor, which post-Wells submission, was closed without enforcement action.
  • Represented broker-dealer in an SEC investigation concerning the disclosure of financial adviser compensation, which was closed without enforcement action.
  • Represented Chief Investment Officer in an SEC investigation of a real estate investment fund.
  • Represented issuer of securities in securities fraud investigation by SEC, which resulted in no charges being brought.
  • Represented prominent, early Bitcoin adopter in settlement with SEC.
  • Represented board member of public company in SEC securities fraud investigation.
  • Represented a cryptocurrency investor in an SEC investigation of a cryptocurrency exchange.
  • Represented executives in an SEC investigation concerning potential insider trading, which resolved without charges.
  • Represented Chief Financial Officer in an SEC investigation of real estate investment trust.
  • Represented executive in an SEC investigation and subsequent federal litigation concerning fraudulent EB-5 program.
  • Represented insurance company in SEC investigation related to variable annuities.
  • Represented broker dealer in FINRA investigation concerning suitability of share classes of 529 plans.

Internal Investigations

  • Conducted internal investigation of financial institution concerning potential AML issues.
  • Conducted internal investigation concerning potential sales practice issues.
  • Conducted internal investigation concerning potential churning and suitability issues involving more than a dozen financial advisers.