Proven credibility leads to exceptional results

Overview

Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Securities Litigation practice team represents several of the largest broker-dealers in the United States and has been involved in many of the largest and most complex securities class action cases in Utah. We have the depth of experienced resources necessary to staff the largest cases, and we have the close working relationships with securities regulators to achieve the best possible outcome in each case.

Parsons' Securities Litigation practice team represents clients in private and regulatory securities litigation matters, including representing companies, officers, directors, broker-dealers, registered representatives, investment advisors, and accountants in internal investigations, derivative actions, class actions, proxy disputes, FINRA arbitrations, shareholder disputes, Ponzi-scheme litigation, receiverships, partnership disputes, and in defense of regulatory enforcement actions involving the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), the Utah Division of Securities, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).

Parsons also represents clients in corporate dissolution matters, squeeze-out merger litigation, corporate veil piercing, and shareholder dilution-related litigation. Our attorneys have represented clients in securities law compliance matters, including, with respect to broker-dealer compliance, non-competition agreements, golden handcuff forgivable loans, and the transfer, sale and/or acquisition of client securities accounts by registered representatives and broker-dealers.

Team

Key Contacts

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Experience

U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission v. Alpine Securities Corporation (SDNY)

Defending client against SEC, determining if the SEC has authority to bring enforcement cases for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-money laundering provisions, typically left to the primary regulator under the BSA which is FinCEN. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case even though the two past directors of FinCEN filed amicus briefs in support of our position. 

U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission v. Stanford Investment Bank (NDTX)

Defended senior investment officer against SEC involving sales of more than $10B in bogus certificates of deposit. My client was the only executive to resolve the case the evening before trial. At trial, the president and CEO lost and ultimately were sentenced to multiple life sentences. Two in-house accountants were also sentenced to 15 years in custody.

U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission v. ZAGG (D. UT)

Defended founder and CEO in an SEC investigation, a class action and derivative action senior investment officer against SEC involving alleged disclosure failures and alleged participation in a scheme to defraud. The SEC dropped its case, and we also prevailed in two shareholder suits at the trial court level and at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. 

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