New Jersey SEC Defense Lawyers

New Jersey SEC Defense Lawyers

Being investigated or charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can be an overwhelming experience. The SEC has powerful enforcement tools and pursues cases aggressively. If you find yourself in the SEC’s crosshairs, having an experienced defense lawyer on your side is critical.

In New Jersey, there are skilled defense attorneys who regularly handle SEC cases. They understand the complex rules and regulations the SEC enforces. More importantly, they know how to build a strong defense against SEC allegations.

Common SEC Violations Pursued in New Jersey

The SEC polices a wide range of securities-related activities. Some of the more common violations pursued in New Jersey include:

• Insider trading – Trading securities based on material, nonpublic information.
• Accounting fraud – Falsifying financial statements and records.
• Offering fraud – Defrauding investors in securities offerings.
• Investment adviser fraud – Misleading or stealing from investment advisory clients.
• Market manipulation – Artificially affecting the supply or price of securities.

New Jersey has a significant presence of financial services and life sciences companies. The SEC closely monitors their activities and executives for compliance issues. But the SEC also pursues cases against smaller companies and individuals in pump-and-dump schemes, affinity frauds, and other scams.

The SEC Investigation Process in New Jersey

SEC investigations typically start with the Enforcement Division issuing a Formal Order of Investigation. This empowers the SEC staff to issue subpoenas to obtain documents and testimony. The early stages of an investigation are non-public.

The SEC will gather facts through document requests, witness interviews, and sworn testimony. This may go on for months or even years. Many investigations culminate in “Wells Notices” informing targets they may face civil charges.

Experienced SEC defense lawyers engage with the SEC staff early on. They work to control the scope of document discovery. Counsel also prepares witnesses for interviews and testimony sessions. The goal is to present facts in the most favorable way possible.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Often, the SEC and defense counsel will have preliminary settlement discussions. Cases can potentially resolve through an Offer of Settlement or Deferred Prosecution Agreement. If not, the SEC may authorize filing a civil complaint in federal court.

SEC Remedies and Sanctions

If SEC charges are filed in court, the possible sanctions include:

• Injunctions against future violations
• Civil monetary penalties
• Disgorgement of “ill-gotten gains”
• Bars from serving as public company officers or directors
• Revocations of broker-dealer and investment advisor registrations

The SEC publicizes all enforcement actions on its website. For businesses and executives, the resulting reputational damage can be severe.

Fighting Back Against SEC Allegations

Accused parties have legal rights during SEC investigations and enforcement actions. Experienced SEC defense lawyers know how to protect those rights.

They scrutinize the SEC’s theories and allegations for legal flaws. For example, some charges involve novel applications of rules never addressed by the courts. Other cases rely on weak circumstantial evidence of intent to defraud.

SEC defense attorneys also look for procedural missteps by the staff that could invalidate their actions. Examples include improper service of subpoenas, failure to properly notify targets of Wells Notices, and missing deadlines.

In litigation, defense counsel will aggressively contest the SEC’s claims. They take discovery from the SEC to probe for weaknesses in their case. SEC lawyers often lack experience taking depositions and responding to document requests.

The SEC has an overwhelmingly high win rate in court. But skilled defense lawyers have succeeded in getting charges dismissed pre-trial. In a few rare cases, they have won jury verdicts against the SEC.

Even if the SEC’s liability case looks strong, defense counsel will argue for reduced sanctions. They present mitigating facts to limit monetary penalties, avoid bars and revocations, and protect reputations.

SEC Defense Lawyers in New Jersey

Companies and individuals facing SEC scrutiny in New Jersey would be well-served by engaging one of these respected defense lawyers. Their guidance can make the difference between a crippling enforcement action and an acceptable outcome.