Corporate and M&A

Securities

Preti Flaherty's Securities Law Practice Group offers a broad complement of specialized services to each of the stakeholders in the securities industry. We have successfully represented public and private companies, governmental entities, underwriters, investors, brokers/dealers, investment banks, and emerging companies to address their needs under federal and state securities laws. The group brings the expertise of highly-skilled corporate and litigation attorneys with backgrounds both as principal and counsel in securities, capital formation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and dispute resolution to offer clients cost-effective solutions.

Current trends place superior securities advice and representation in the forefront of business, financial and investing considerations:  from raising capital for startup and growing businesses to private equity analysis, negotiation and investment; from compliance under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sarbanes-Oxley and uncertain new hedge fund regulations to stock option grants and other corporate governance best practices; and from investor complaints to shareholder disputes.    

Our Securities Law attorneys provide the following services

For Public Companies:

  • Periodic Reports—10-Ks, 10-Qs, 8-Ks
  • Annual Meetings-- Annual Report to Security Holders, Proxy Statements and Solicitation
  • Corporate Governance—Director independence, committees, Sarbanes Oxley
  • Insider Trading Policies
  • Section 16 Filers—Forms 3-5, Schedules 13D and 13G
  • Stock Option Plans—Form S-8, Stock Option Agreements
  • Rule 144 Resales
  • Press Releases—Reg FD, corporate messaging, investor relations
  • Acquisitions and Dispositions
  • Private Placements

Members of team: Kara Sweeney

For Private Companies:

  • Capital Formation—advice on locating sources; structure; and terms of offering
  • Blue-Sky Compliance
  • Reg D and other federal exemptions
  • Stock Options and other equity-style incentive compensation programs
  • Stock Redemptions
  • Shareholder Disputes
  • Acquisitions and Dispositions

Members of team: John Sullivan, Kara Sweeney

Public Finance: 

  • Official statements for public offerings of bonds issued by states, state authorities, regional and municipal districts and authorities and other governmental entities
  • Private placement memoranda for private placements of bonds issued by states, state authorities, regional and municipal districts and authorities and other governmental entities
  • Continuing disclosure agreements for SEC Rule 15c2-12 compliance
  • Blue sky memoranda for state blue sky law compliance
  • Counsel for issuers, underwriters and purchasers

Members of team: James C. Pitney, Jr. and Bonnie L. Martinolich

For Broker/Dealers and Investment/Hedge Funds:

  • Registration and exemptions
  • Registered representative compliance
  • Regulatory investigations
  • Administrative and judicial proceedings
  • Investor complaints
  • Employment termination and disputes
  • Arbitration and litigation

Members of team: Gregory Hansel, John Sullivan, Sigmund Schutz, and Kara Sweeney

For Investors:

  • Initial Investment – Advice, negotiations, and documentation on terms of investment
  • Liquidation –Advice on sale or other transfer

Members of team: John Sullivan and Kara Sweeney

  • Securities violations
  • Mismanagement of account
  • Arbitration and litigation

Members of team: Gregory Hansel, and Sigmund Schutz

Dispute Resolution: 

Our track record in resolution of securities disputes speaks for itself. We are a go-to firm in financial services disputes, securities litigation, and arbitration. Learn more here.

Firm Highlights

News

Benchmark Litigation Names Preti Flaherty 2024 “Maine Firm of the Year"

Benchmark Litigation has named Preti Flaherty as 2024 Litigation Firm of the Year in the State of Maine. Through extensive peer- and- client reviewed research, as well as analysis of casework; the Benchmark Awards...

Event

Sigmund Schutz to moderate panel at 36th Annual Media and the Law Seminar: Under Attack! Existential Threats to Journalism and Free Speech

From unlawful searches and seizures of newsrooms and highly contentious litigation to physical harassment and calls for violence online, journalists and news organizations are under attack like never before. At the 36 th Annual...

Publication

USCIS Announces H-1B Registration Period for FY2025: New “Beneficiary Centric” Registration Process and Increased Fees

USCIS has recently announced a series of changes that will impact the FY2025 H-1B registration system and cap filing season. H-1B Registration Period and Organizational Accounts As in prior years, under this process, prospective petitioners...

News

Preti Attorneys File Suit Against Al-Generated Robocalls in the 2024 NH Presidential Primary

Representing the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the League of Women Voters of the United States, and individual voters, Preti Flaherty, with co-counsel, filed a federal lawsuit against Steve Kramer, Lingo Telecom...

Publication

Important Updates to American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Rules and Mediation Procedures

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) updated its Construction Industry Rules and Mediation procedures (AAA Rules), effective March 1, 2024, marking the first update since 2015. The updates are important because the AAA Rules are...

Publication

Failure to Follow Your Contract's Notice Requirements Can be Costly

In Kinetic Systems, Inc. v. IPS-Integrated Projects Services, LLC et. al., No.: 20-cv-1125 (D.N.H. February 6, 2024), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire granted summary judgment for a general contractor...

Event

Legal Foundations Lunch and Learn Series: Understanding Indemnity Clauses

Our Legal Foundations Lunch and Learn Series features monthly 30-minute webinars that provide in-depth insights into recent updates, industry trends, and key issues impacting the construction industry. Preti Flaherty attorneys Kenneth Rubinstein and Nicholas...

Publication

Helping Employers Navigate the New Independent Contractor Rule and Compliance Challenges

On March 11 th , the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) new Independent Contractor Rule goes into effect.  As your organization readies itself for compliance, it’s imperative to scrutinize your independent contractor classifications...

Event

Hire Education: Best Practices for Onboarding New Employees

As an HR professional, hiring the right talent, addressing employee needs, and managing terminations are just a few of the most challenging problems that arise. During this year's three-part Employment Breakfast Webinar Series, we'll...

News

Attorney Jeffrey Thaler Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Energy Law

Preti Flaherty’s attorney Jeffrey Thaler has been recognized by  Lawdragon  as one of the top 500 Leaders in Energy Law. This is Jeff’s third time named to this prestigious list since the first publication...