Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP specializes in complex securities litigation and shareholder rights, representing some of the world’s largest pension funds and institutional investors; the securities practice focuses on selective caseload to provide high-level advocacy in impactful financial matters. The practice group is co-led by experienced New York-based litigators Javier Bleichmar and Joseph Fonti, who have vast experience in large-scale securities and shareholder actions. Evan Kubota focuses on securities cases that involve technical and regulatory components such as FDA regulations, parallel government investigations and bankruptcy issues. George Bauer and Benjamin Burry handle investment related disputes, and Erin Woods heads the claims filing team with a particular focus on recovering investment losses through filing settlement claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Full service, in the full context of class actions across all relevant jurisdictions. There is no better service provider in the practice area.'
- 'Responsiveness, willingness to share insight and obtain additional detail upon request. Practical advice from a commercial, client-centric perspective. The interest of the client is always front and center. Standout partners and associates include, but are not limited to: Kendra Schramm, Erin Woods, Stephanie Bartone, and Javier Bleichmar.'
- 'This team has an incredible ability to listen to us as clients and cater to our needs and wishes. The advice we receive is helpful and we have not felt like they are pushing their own agenda, which is not always the case in the securities litigation industry. Their availability is excellent; when we have time-sensitive issues they are on top of it.'
- 'Erin Woods and Javier Bleichmar are great people to work with, along with Kendra Schramm's brilliance and work ethic. They've all been instrumental to our partnership and truly care about our agenda, not just advancing their own interests and careers.'
- 'Firm is small but mighty. Nimble and entrepreneurial. Relentless focus on adding value for clients.'
- 'They are incredibly smart, thoughtful, and strategic. There isn't a better firm in this space.'
Key clients
- Anchorage Police and Fire Retirement System
- Police and Fire Retirement System of Detroit
- City of Plantation Police Officers’ Retirement Fund
- Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
- State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
- Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System
- Wayne County Employees’ Retirement System
- The City of Pontiac Police and Fire Retirement System
- Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago
Work highlights
Secured a record resolution in this matter valued at $919 million. This is the largest stockholder derivative settlement ever achieved in the Delaware Chancery Court.
Achieved a $32.5 million settlement in re Talis Biomedical Securities Litigation. This is a highly significant recovery given that it represents up to 72% of potentially recoverable damages and the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Serving as co-lead counsel in the Wells Fargo Derivative Action, which consolidates a series of cases brought on behalf of the shareholders of Wells Fargo & Company, alleging, among other things, that its Board of Directors breached its fiduciary duties with regard to the company’s discriminatory hiring and lending practices.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Javier Bleichmar; Joseph Fonti
Other key lawyers
Evan Kubota; George Bauer; Benjamin Burry; Erin Woods; Kendra Schramm; Stephanie Bartone