For more than three decades, Heller Ehrman has achieved outstanding results on behalf of defendants in securities class actions, derivative suits, professional liability cases, SEC and other regulatory investigations, options backdating issues, and white collar prosecutions. We represent corporations, officers, directors, accountants, venture capital firms, institutional investors, partnerships, lawyers and investment banks. Our practice focuses on complex assignments in the corporate governance and securities arena, including special board committees, disputes over mergers and acquisitions, internal and regulatory investigations and proceedings, and advice to companies about complex disclosure and accounting issues.

Defending securities litigation has become more challenging in the wake of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the increased likelihood that civil litigation will be accompanied by potentially devasting government investigations. These cases can involve allegations of traditional types of fraud, or they can focus on what previously had been regarded as accepted ways of doing business. We bring a client-focused approach to a wide range of civil, criminal and administrative engagements, looking at each case individually and adopting the strategy best suited to advance our client's business needs and goals.

Facts About Our Practice

• Involved in some of the nation's most significant recent securities litigation matters, including Enron Corporation, AOL TimeWarner, Parmalat, Qwest Communications Corporation, McKesson Corporation, HBOC, Healthsouth, Cisco Systems, Inc., Cendant, Yahoo!, Inc. and Xerox matters.
• Tried dozens of cases to jury verdict, including securities class actions in which we have obtained defense verdicts.
• Features a team of more than 70 experienced attorneys, including several who held senior positions within the U.S. Department of Justice, including a former chief of the Public Integrity Section.
• Currently advise almost 30 companies including boards and individuals on the full range of issues arising out of allegations of stock options backdating, from investigations to litigation to counseling.
• Presented creative briefing and arguments that resulted in many groundbreaking developments in securities litigation.
• Represent all of the largest accounting firms and are recognized as pioneers in the application of economics and finance principles to legal problems.

Our Capabilities

Securities Class Actions and Derivative Suits

Heller Ehrman has long been one of a few select firms to represent accounting firms, investment banks and corporate defendants in securities liability litigation. We have addressed the most serious and important financial fraud issues in the context of securities litigation, including manipulation of reserves, valuation of long-lived tangible and intangible assets, going-concern determinations and the full spectrum of revenue recognition issues.

Professional Liability

We have handled hundreds of litigation and administrative matters for accountants, investment bankers, stock brokers, underwriters and attorneys. Our experience includes all aspects of professional liability and securities defense, including numerous significant trials, appeals and arbitrations and the complete array of governmental and administrative proceedings: grand jury, SEC, NASD, AMEX, NYSE, PCAOB and State Board of Accountancy proceedings.

White Collar Criminal Defense

We represent CEOs and other senior executives of major public companies in investigations involving insider trading, false financial statements, fraud, defense procurement improprieties, tax evasion, theft of trade secrets, antitrust violations, obstruction of justice and customs violations. We also represent senior executives and other employees of brokerage firms in investigations relating to alleged securities fraud and money laundering, as well as professional firms in SEC and other enforcement investigations.

Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations

Our broad range of experience makes us particularly qualified to advise our clients about the increasingly complex and risky areas of corporate governance and securities regulation. We regularly conduct special investigations into suspected wrongdoing by corporate employees and advise boards of directors, audit committees and senior management about complex interrelated disclosure, accounting and compliance issues. We have unparalleled experience in dealing with the complicated accounting and financial issues that give rise to most of today's securities-related matters.