Corporate and Securities Litigation

Corporate transactions frequently spawn complex legal disputes. When that happens, having tested, experienced counsel in the highly specialized field of corporate and securities litigation can affect a company’s success or failure. Our firm’s technical expertise, commitment to practical business solutions and trial experience in our state and federal courts set us apart.

Our Corporate and Securities Litigation group regularly represents clients in disputes involving management and control issues, including litigation arising from mergers and acquisitions, partnership and limited liability company disputes, and other corporate transactions. We have defended companies and their directors in shareholder derivative suits and shareholder class actions and have represented buyers and sellers of businesses against claims of securities fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract. Our clients include businesses of all types and sizes, as well as officers, directors, bond trustees and other consultants and professionals. We have represented securities brokers and dealers in defense of claims subject to arbitration under the auspices of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as well as serving on FINRA arbitration panels.

Additionally, we appear regularly in North Carolina’s specialized Business Court, other North Carolina courts and our federal courts – and we try cases when necessary.

Corporate and securities disputes are complex and demanding. At our firm, we strive to handle these matters with the attention and commitment they deserve, without ever losing sight of the practical needs and goals of the client. 

• Litigation arising from mergers and acquisitions, including class actions and shareholder derivative suits
• Purchase price disputes and other post-closing litigation arising out of the sale of a business
• Corporate control and minority shareholder disputes
• Securities fraud claims against issuers of securities and their advisors
• Represent and advise Special Committees of Boards of Directors with respect to pending litigation
• Internal corporate investigations
• Traditional and non-traditional forms of dispute resolution

Your Eye on the Fourth Circuit and the Federal Districts in North Carolina:

U.S. Supreme Court Describes “Ordinary Principles of Contract Law”
February 18, 2015

The Fraudulent Joinder Doctrine...It’s Not Just For Fraud Or Joinder
January 29, 2015

The Federal False Claims Act...Liability Even When There Is No Government Reliance
January 28, 2015

Documents Speak Louder Than Words in Securities Fraud Suit
November, 20, 2014

U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies the Limits of Twombly/lqbal
November, 18 2014

ERISA Case Survives Numerous Procedural Motions
April 11, 2014 

Fourth Circuit Denies Appeal When There are Genuine Issues of Fact on Defendants’ Immunity Defense
April 8, 2014 

Sometimes it’s Just Better to Leave “Well-Enough” Alone
April 8, 2014

Fourth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Securities Claim Alleging Accounting Fraud
March 25, 2014 

Fourth Circuit Clarifies Pleading Standards and (Again) Rejects Affidavits that Contradict a Party’s Deposition
March 16, 2014

Fourth Circuit Applies “Nerve Center” Test for Diversity Jurisdiction
January 12, 2014 

Fourth Circuit Clarifies the Role of the District Court in a Trademark Civil Action Following a Proceeding Before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
January 11, 2014