Pastore LLC represented a private equity investor and an active philanthropist in Greenwich based non-profits in a defamation case against a former candidate for the United States Senate and House of Representatives. After three weeks of jury selection and evidence, a jury in the Stamford Superior Court deliberated as to whether the defendant was liable for defamation, defamation per se, false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Within hours, the jury reached a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, Pastore LLC’s client, on all counts and all questions tendered to the jury. The jury awarded substantial monetary damages and punitive damages finding the defendant’s conduct to be wanton, willful and malicious. Pastore LLC’s Joseph M. Pastore III, Melissa Rose McClammy and Tyler W. Rutherford represented the private equity investor in the case.
Category: News
Pastore LLC Advises on $350 Million Notes Offering
Pastore LLC was retained by a national insurance broker in connection with a $350 million Notes offering by Bank of America. Pastore LLC served as counsel in Connecticut for the transaction. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as New York counsel. Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP represented Bank of America. Pastore LLC delivered analysis and guidance on the corporate structure of entities involved with the transaction. The transaction was led in Connecticut by Pastore LLC’s transactional group. Joseph M. Pastore III, Paul Fenaroli, and Summer Associate Ryan Mennitt from Tulane University Law School assisted with the matter.
Pastore advises on purchase of 4 parcels of land in middle country Greenwich
Pastore LLC represented the purchasing entities on three parcels of land on North Street in Greenwich, which are contiguous with a pre-existing parcel. This allowed the purchasing entities to combine all four parcels. The transaction involved a sale by a real estate fund based in Connecticut and the equitable redemption of a strict foreclosure. Pastore LLC’s real estate practice and corporate transactional practice led the transaction. George Toper, Tyler W. Rutherford, Joseph M. Pastore III and Paul Fenaroli assisted with the matter from Pastore LLC. Day Pitney LLP represented the sellers and Diserio Martin O’Connor & Castiglioni LLP advised the sellers on the foreclosure issues.
Pastore LLC Resolves Equity Dispute in Connection with Seven-Figure Company Sale
Pastore LLC recently secured a favorable settlement for a client involved in a partnership dispute regarding his equity in a Connecticut company he co-founded. The disagreement was resolved in connection with the seven-figure sale of the business.
Our client’s interest in the company was challenged during the negotiation of the sale, prompting a dispute over ownership and entitlement to proceeds. Pastore LLC intervened quickly, applying strategic pressure to protect our client’s equity position and ensure a just resolution in connection with the transaction’s close.
This matter highlights our firm’s strength in resolving high-stakes partnership and equity disputes. If your ownership rights or equity interests are being challenged, Pastore LLC stands ready to protect your position and deliver results.
Pastore LCC Claims Jury Trial Was Wrongfully Denied
Pastore LLC represents a co-founder of an investment firm in challenging a $10.4 million judgment in Connecticut superior court, arguing that the trial court improperly denied his right to a jury trial. The dispute centers on whether both parties had provided mutual written consent to a jury trial before the court unilaterally removed the case from the jury docket in February 2023. The plaintiffs, who initially sought a jury trial, later withdrew their claim and secured a bench trial verdict in August 2023.
Pastore LLC argued to the Connecticut appellate court in February that the trial court’s decision was both legally unprecedented and prejudicial, as it deprived the defendant of due process. The firm contends that the plaintiffs leveraged the procedural misstep to avoid a jury trial, after previously failing to secure a favorable outcome in federal court on similar claims, a jury trial won by Pastore in 2019.
The appeal remains under review by the Connecticut Appellate Court
Pastore LLC Challenges SEC in High-Stakes Second Circuit Appeal
Pastore LLC represents the CEO of a technology company and the company before the Second Circuit in a high-stakes SEC enforcement appeal. The case challenges a Connecticut federal judge’s reliance on post-trial “new facts” to impose a $441,000 judgment, including disgorgement and civil penalties. Pastore, hired after Cozen O’Connor handled the trial, argued that the district court violated the defendant’s constitutional rights by issuing a permanent industry ban and securities law injunction without jury consideration.
The SEC admitted post-trial that it could not identify harmed investors but later produced a declaration claiming 2,967 traders lost $1.69 million—without linking those losses to the alleged fraud. The agency’s shifting position contradicts the Second Circuit’s precedent in SEC v. Govil, which requires demonstrable pecuniary harm for disgorgement. The trial court’s reliance on financier loans, rather than investor losses, further undermines the judgment.
Pastore asserts that the district court’s process deprived the defendants of due process and exceeded its authority. The firm is aggressively challenging the SEC’s approach and seeking to overturn the ruling before the Second Circuit.
Pastore Retained in Two Separate National Advisory Disputes
Pastore has been retained by partners at PwC and Grant Thornton in connection with disputes involving compliance work, Morgan Stanley, Citi Bank and other large financial institutions. Calling on Pastore’s broad depth of experience in corporate governance, securities compliance and technology law, Pastore has been selected to handle disputes that have connections to New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and Florida. Pastore attorney’s involved are members of the New York Bar Association Securities Division and are formerly affiliated with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.
Pastore Defeats Motion to Dismiss in AAA Arbitration
In a multimillion dollar arbitration based in Chicago, Pastore successfully defeated a motion to dismiss that was brought by a large international accounting and advisory firm. The motion to dismiss sought to eliminate claims that were plead in equity and were outside the controlling Partnership Agreement. Pastore represents a former Principal of the large firm, who formerly specialized in and led their technology and performance management solutions team.
Pastore Successfully Defends Client in SEC Inquiry: No Charges Brought
Pastore LLC successfully persuaded the SEC not to bring charges against a former senior executive of a publicly traded national retail chain. Pastore represented the client throughout the SEC’s fact-finding inquiry into possible securities violation by the retail company. Pastore attorneys Paul May and Tyler Rutherford defended the SEC OTR in New York. At the conclusion of the inquiry, the SEC indicated that they would not be recommending an enforcement action against the client.
Pastore has attorneys formerly affiliated with firms such as Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Mayer Brown, as well as the SEC and NYSE, and has a thriving securities industry practice.
Pastore Successfully Defends Grievance Complaint Arising From Algorithmic Securities Trading Platform
Pastore LLC represented an attorney and hedge fund manager in a disciplinary hearing related an algorithmic securities trading platform and sophisticated investment transactions. The client was accused of fraud and breach of contract, resulting in arbitration before the American Arbitration Association. Following the arbitration, the matter was brought before the State Grievance Committee in Connecticut for potential discipline, including disbarment. After lengthy proceedings, the State Grievance Committee’s reviewing committee declined to impose any discipline against Pastore’s client.
Pastore has attorneys formerly affiliated with firms such as Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Mayer Brown, as well as the SEC and NYSE, and has a thriving securities industry practice.