Covington’s securities enforcement lawyers defend both corporations and individuals in investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), regional exchanges, and state regulators throughout the nation. When such regulatory investigations are accompanied by parallel criminal investigations, Congressional investigations, or investigations by other federal regulatory agencies, we are well-equipped to handle those as well. We also conduct internal investigations, design corporate compliance programs and conduct compliance training at many of the world's largest corporations.
WHY COVINGTON?
Covington’s Securities Enforcement Practice has a track record of litigating and prevailing against securities regulators coast-to-coast. A former high level SEC enforcement official based in San Francisco heads our West Coast practice, while our deep and seasoned offices in Washington and New York boast a stable of highly experienced former federal prosecutors with significant securities enforcement background. All have significant trial experience. Because of this breadth and balance of experience, we can knowledgeably guide our clients through regulatory and criminal investigations like few other firms.
Our Securities Enforcement Practice includes 20 partners. They have served in such high-ranking positions as Deputy Attorney General of the United States, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, District Administrator for the San Francisco District Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Associate United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Unit in the Southern District of New York.
Many of our lawyers, particularly our partners who formerly worked at the SEC, have in-depth experience in dealing with securities regulators. When needed, we also seamlessly integrate the advice of our preeminent legislative specialists and regulatory lawyers who have deep experience handling investigations before Congress and the various regulatory agencies that oversee banking, communications, competition law, energy, food and drug, health care, homeland security and international trade.
Covington represents companies and individuals in every major area of securities enforcement including:
- financial accounting fraud;
- insider trading;
- stock option backdating;
- market-timing;
- stock manipulation;
- misuse and misappropriation of client assets;
- issues arising under the Investment Advisers Act;
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations; and
- municipal securities fraud.
Covington's Securities Enforcement Practice is not only recognized for litigating and winning high-profile enforcement cases, but also for developing creative legal strategies to resolve matters long before they draw public scrutiny. We believe that our record of excellence in defending clients in complex regulatory enforcement cases has earned the firm great respect and credibility with courts, the SEC, FINRA, and state regulatory agencies nationwide.
Representative Matters
- Société Générale and SG Cowen Securities Corp., in federal and state grand jury investigations and an SEC investigation into a $200 million Ponzi scheme by former retail brokerage branch manager.
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in a SEC accounting fraud investigation.
- Leading broker-dealers and their bankers and research analysts in investigations by the SEC, the Department of Justice, the NASD, and the New York Attorney General into the independence of research analysts and the use of their research and coverage.
- Investment bank in Department of Justice and SEC investigations involving municipal derivatives.
Accolades
- Recognized by Legal 500 US as a leading firm in White Collar Criminal Defense - Full Service (2008).
- Bruce Baird, Lanny Breuer, Ben Duke, Nancy Kestenbaum, Aaron Marcu
- Recognized by Legal 500 US as a leading firm in SEC Investigation and Enforcement (2007).
- Bruce Baird, David Bayless, Aaron Marcu, and D. Jean Veta
- Best Lawyers in America (2008)
- Corporate Governance and Compliance Law: Bruce Baird, David Bayless, Aaron Marcu, and David Martin
- Securities: David Martin
- White Collar Criminal Defense: Stephen Anthony, Bruce Baird, Lanny Breuer, Eric Holder Jr., Aaron Marcu, and Alan Vinegrad
- Chambers USA: Financial Services Regulation (2008)
- Banking & Securities-Regulatory Compliance: Firm (National), Stuart Stock
- Chambers USA: Securities Regulation Enforcement (2008)
- Chambers USA: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations (2008)
- Firm (NY), Lanny Breuer, Eric Holder, Aaron Marcu, Alan Vinegrad
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