Contacts:
Dennis H. Tracey III, New York

Hogan & Hartson has one of the most extensive and sophisticated practices in the country representing major accounting firms, attorneys, and other professionals. Our multidisciplinary team of lawyers is highly experienced in accounting and auditing claims, legal malpractice, federal securities, class actions, white-collar litigation, tax litigation, and appellate advocacy. Our deep knowledge and substantive backgrounds enable us to give our clients the benefit of counsel who understand their businesses and can quickly provide practical solutions to their professional liability issues. Whether the claim is a judicial proceeding, a regulatory or criminal inquiry, or a proceeding before a professional or ethical body, we specifically tailor each team to meet individual client needs.

In close coordination with our clients, we analyze the risks and potential outcomes of litigation, develop strategic plans, and work to resolve matters quickly. When litigation is required, we are dedicated to vigorously defending our clients’ interests at every stage. Seeking to prevent problems before they arise, we regularly counsel clients on professional standards and compliance, pre-litigation risk assessment, regulatory issues and internal policies to minimize potential liability. If necessary to take a matter to trial, we have extensive experience in trying cases in state and federal courts throughout the country.

Related Experience

• A Big 4 accounting firm currently relies on our counsel as it defends a federal securities action instituted by the Securities and Exchange Commission due to the restatement of earnings by a Fortune 500 company.
• We advise an accounting firm that is undergoing a criminal investigation into professional services it provided for a labor union.
• We are representing a law firm in a malpractice action that was brought by an assignee for the benefit of creditors. Our challenge to the assignee’s standing to sue is presently pending in the Florida Supreme Court.
• Defending a foreign accounting firm in several matters brought in connection with a bankrupt software company, we settled a consolidated securities fraud class action for U.S. securities purchasers, and most recently secured a dismissal of a $340 million action brought by a Litigation Trustee alleging accounting malpractice, aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty, and alleged violation of a state consumer protection claim.
• We are representing a Big 4 accounting firm in a securities fraud class action brought in the Southern District of New York and in a related malpractice action brought by the audit client in New York state court.
• We defended Arthur Andersen partners in the civil, criminal, and regulatory proceedings arising out of the collapse of Enron and the restatement of Waste Management.
• We advise auditors concerning their responsibilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act.
• We regularly represent accountants and other professionals in SEC investigations and enforcement actions.