Overview

The Securities Enforcement and Compliance Group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP ("Skadden") represents public companies, financial services firms, audit firms and their senior management, partners and employees in investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by the SEC and other government agencies, as well as proceedings by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA").  We also are retained by public company boards, audit committees and special committees in internal investigations in response to allegations of accounting irregularities and other misconduct. Together with the White Collar Crime Group and the Securities Litigation Group, we frequently handle concurrent criminal, civil enforcement and legislative investigations, together with shareholder and derivative litigation.

Lawyers in this Group have extensive experience in the regulatory and enforcement issues confronted by all participants in the securities markets, including public accounting firms, broker dealers, investment companies and investment advisers. Skadden has represented public companies, financial services firms, and their senior executives and board members, in some of the most significant SEC and DOJ investigations in the recent past, including Enron Corporation, HealthSouth Corporation, Kmart Corporation, Warnaco Inc., Putnam Investments, Inc., Gateway Computers, Gemstar and Brocade Communications.

Internal investigations on behalf of boards and board committees of companies and regulated entities, together with advice on the establishment and implementation of securities law compliance programs and counsel on specific compliance concerns, are also central to our practice. We have found that a timely, effective and thorough internal investigation before the SEC or the DOJ commences an inquiry, or prior to the completion of a government investigation, together with effective compliance steps, can positively impact the government's view and the ultimate disposition of a case.

The Skadden partners who specialize in this practice include former senior enforcement officials from the SEC and the DOJ and a former State Securities Commissioner. Our attorneys have taught at law schools and have written extensively and lectured frequently on securities law issues.