Eugene R. Licker—a well-known litigator who focuses on consumer finance cases, securities litigation and enforcement, and white-collar defense—has joined Ballard Spahr in the firm’s New York office, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.
Mr. Licker has practiced in New York City for more than 35 years, and has handled a wide variety of complex, high-profile cases in civil, criminal, and administrative forums nationwide. He served as co-chair of the white collar defense practice at his former firm and more recently as chair of its securities litigation and enforcement practice.
“Gene is well-known for his work in New York and across the country, and is widely respected as a top-notch litigator, both civil and white-collar criminal,” said Geoffrey A. Kahn, Chair of Ballard Spahr’s Litigation Department. “His areas of practice, skills, and collegiality make him a great fit for our firm, and he will be a terrific addition to our New York office.”
Mr. Licker joins Ballard Spahr as of counsel in the firm’s Litigation Department. His arrival marks the continued expansion of Ballard Spahr’s New York office, which is home to accomplished litigators who represent Fortune 500 corporations, financial services firms, prominent individuals, and executives in high-stakes cases. New York office attorneys also advise many of the nation’s largest companies on commercial real estate transactions, business and corporate issues, bankruptcy, and consumer finance and mortgage banking regulatory issues.
Mr. Licker’s experience in a broad range of civil litigation includes successfully defending mortgage lenders and other consumer credit companies in virtually all forms of litigation, including government civil and criminal investigations and actions, class actions, and individual borrower suits in state and federal court and administrative proceedings. He has represented both large and small lenders—including loan originators, servicers, purchasers, and securitizers—as well as professionals involved in the lending process, in dealing with criminal and civil litigation arising from state and federal regulation.
Mr. Licker also represents individuals and entities in federal and state grand jury investigations and other criminal proceedings. He has represented clients in numerous investigations and actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), encompassing a broad range of securities law issues, as well as other agency investigations and actions. In addition, Mr. Licker counsels clients on design, implementation, and review of corporate compliance programs. He has conducted numerous internal and independent investigations and has counseled clients that were the subjects of independent investigations.
Mr. Licker has handled numerous securities class action litigation matters on behalf of issuers and their officers and directors, as well as change-of-control cases and derivative actions. He has served as lead attorney in defending against RICO claims and claims of breach of fiduciary duty, as well as defamation and other contract and tort claims.
His clients have included China-based U.S. public companies that he has represented in formal and informal SEC investigations and in defending class actions, derivative actions, and related suits.
“I was looking to join a firm with top-notch, national practices in my areas of focus—consumer financial services, securities litigation, and white-collar defense—so Ballard Spahr is the perfect move for me,” Mr. Licker said. “The firm and its attorneys are respected as among the very finest in the nation across these and many other practices. Having worked in the past with several Ballard partners, I know firsthand that Ballard provides the ideal national platform for serving clients.”
Source: www.ballardspahr.com
