Regulatory Investigations & Enforcement Actions

Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement Actions

Grellas Shah regularly represents individuals and companies in inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions brought by state and federal agencies.  Grellas Shah’s attorneys have the experience to determine the nature and focus of the regulatory inquiry, assess potential exposure, and develop appropriate strategies for response.  Appropriate strategies for compliance and cooperation can reduce a client’s exposure while minimizing burden and risk.  Where necessary, Grellas Shah is prepared to vigorously represent its clients as far as such investigations go, including zealously representing clients in civil actions filed by these agencies through trial.  The firm’s lawyers have particular experience coordinating responses to parallel civil, criminal and regulatory proceedings.  Grellas Shah has helped numerous clients navigate regulatory subpoenas, including those issued by State Attorney General (AG) offices as well as federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  The firm also has extensive experience representing broker-dealers and investment advisors before the self-regulatory organization Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as well as assisting public companies in responding to FINRA inquiries.  The firm’s lead litigation partner, Dhaivat Shah, is a former SEC staff attorney and has particular expertise with SEC informal and formal investigations, responding to SEC document subpoenas, preparing clients to give testimony to SEC Division of Enforcement staff, submitting Wells Submissions, and representing clients in both civil actions filed by the SEC in federal district court and actions filed before the SEC’s administrative law judges (ALJs).

Representative Engagements

• Currently representing the former CFO of a public company in parallel SEC and DOJ investigations of alleged insider trading.
• Represented public company in SEC investigation of alleged fraudulent revenue recognition, other accounting improprieties, and books and records violations.