Mr Peter White > Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP has a long-standing reputation for representing clients in large securities class actions, and related derivative litigations and ERISA actions. The firm advises more than half of the world’s 100 largest hedge funds and thousands of funds globally, giving it a prominent role in investment funds matters. It has also become a key player in ‘short swing’ cases alleging violations of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act, and in matters involving structured finance and SPAC-related transactions. The practice is led by Michael Swartz and Gayle Klein in New York, along with Peter White in Washington DC. Swartz is acting for two former members of the Board of Directors of a special purpose acquisition company in a putative shareholder class action lawsuit alleging violations of numerous federal securities laws in connection with a merger between the publicly-traded SPAC and Arrival SA, a privately-held manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles. Charles Clark is recommended for SEC investigations and ensuing litigation.

The New York office of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP has a long-standing reputation for securities litigation and, increasingly, deal-related cases. It is particularly active in cases arising from proxy contests and corporate control battles, as well as matters involving investment funds. Michael Swartz and Gayle Klein in New York and Peter White in Washington DC lead the practice, which is a key adviser to many of largest hedge funds in the US. Klein and DC-based Charles Clark are also key advisers on SPAC-related cases.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP is frequently sought after by significant hedge and private equity funds, also representing finance industry clients, and has recently bolstered its activity in blockchain and cryptocurrency disputes. The practice also has a strong record in shareholder activism litigation and is extensively experienced in civil litigation in appellate, federal, and state courts. Co-head Gayle Klein in New York represents clients in breaches of fiduciary duty, business and bankruptcy litigation, theft of trade secrets and violations of non-competition agreements. Fellow New York based co-head Michael Swartz is particularly active in M&A, securities, and shareholder activist litigation, in addition to private investment fund disputes, while Peter White in Washington DC completes the leadership team and is a white-collar lawyer who has represented corporations and executives in False Claims Act and qui tam lawsuits, grandy jury and internal investigations, and shareholder class actions. William Gussman has a wealth of expertise in litigation surrounding Section 546(e) safe harbor in fraudulent transfer actions, while Taleah Jennings has a focus in fiduciary matters. All mentioned individuals are located in New York, unless stated otherwise.

Drawing expertise from a number of groups, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP concentrates its efforts towards regulatory investigations and enforcements by government bodies, specifically the SEC. The firm has expanded its crypto funds capacity and recently represented Pantera Capital in a high-stakes dispute with Polychain regarding the application of the corporate opportunity doctrine in the investment fund space. The firm also has a broad focus on investment funds and broker dealer work, including activity such as cryptocurrency investments, insider trading, SPACs and block trading. The team’s cross-practice leadership is comprised of Craig Warkol, co-chair of the securities enforcement and broker dealer regulatory and enforcement groups and Julian Rainero, also co-chair of the latter, in New York, as well as Peter White, co-chair of the litigation and white-collar defense groups and Charles Clark, co-chair of the securities enforcement group, based in Washington DC.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP has a strong reputation in the market for representing alternative investment funds in the white-collar space, counting a number of financial institutions and broker-dealers among its clients. Insider trading, cryptocurrencies, and public company investigations form part of the firm’s advisory portfolio. New York’s Douglas Koff and Craig Warkol lead the practice alongside a Washington DC-based duo consisting of Peter White and Charles Clark. Gary Stein  left the firm in July 2023.