Securities Litigation

Drawing on a deep bench of talent in New York City, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Richmond and Washington, D.C., these civil securities litigators have defended some of the largest class action securities cases in history. They have clerked on the U.S. Supreme Court, led complex and high-profile matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Southern District of New York, and developed innovative defenses to securities fraud claims that have dramatically reduced case value.

McGuireWoods’ securities litigators have:

• Earned dismissal of Securities Act and Exchange Act claims in major securities litigation jurisdictions, such as the Southern District of New York.
• Settled one of the largest securities class action cases in the history of the Fourth Circuit for a fraction of the originally estimated value.
• Served as lead counsel in and settled one of the five largest securities class action settlements on record.
• Exposed fundamental vulnerabilities of institutional plaintiffs, such as pension and retirement funds, in class action securities fraud cases where the plaintiffs outsource investment decisions to investment managers using quantitative investment techniques.
• Represented multiple Fortune 500 companies in Securities Act and Exchange Act claims in ongoing litigation.
• Served as co-chief of the Southern District of New York’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.
• Spearheaded the SEC Enforcement Division’s complex investigations and enforcement actions.

This continues a long trend of McGuireWoods defending public company and financial services clients in complex securities matters in federal and state courts; before the SEC, DOJ, FINRA and the Center for Multi-District Litigation; and in AAA and JAMS arbitrations and mediations. In addition to defending clients in claims and class actions alleging violations of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act and Section 10(b)/Rule 10b-5 and 14a of the Exchange Act, McGuireWoods helps clients preempt corresponding derivative actions. Representative services include civil litigation and class action, shareholder derivative actions, wealth management arbitration and litigation, financial adviser litigation, and M&A litigation.

A great outcome in sensitive, consequential securities litigation can be achieved efficiently. Intelligence, experience and collaboration, both internally and with clients, are key. McGuireWoods is the smart choice for public companies defending these lawsuits.