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.

Tyler W. Rutherford appointed to the Securities Litigation Committee of the New York City Bar Association

Pastore LLC congratulates Tyler W. Rutherford on his recent appointment to the Securities Litigation Committee of the New York City Bar Association, where he will serve a three-year term alongside esteemed members of the Bar. He has been a frequent author on sophisticated securities related issues.

Pastore LLC Welcomes Summer Class

On Wednesday, June 5th, Pastore LLC welcomed our summer class to the firm.

Kacey Hartmann has returned to the office as a Summer Associate after starting with Pastore as a Law Clerk in January of 2024. She received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science at Auburn University in 2022 and recently finished her second year at University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. Kacey is involved in the Women’s Law Caucus, the Sports Law Society, and volunteers as an advocate for CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Rob Washburne joins us as a Summer Law Intern. He is a rising junior at Bates College, where he majors in Politics and minors in Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Rob intends to attend law school. While in school, Rob is the founder and president of the Club Tennis Team, actively involved with the Student Government and the Bonner Leader Program, and works at the Lewiston District Court.

Ellie Carter has returned to the office after starting as a Summer Law Intern in 2023. She is a rising senior in the Dual BA program between Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris, studying Politics & Government and Anthropology. Outside of the classroom, Ellie is the President of Columbia University Mock Trial, and is involved in Jewish life on campus. She looks forward to attending law school after graduation.

Pastore Wins Jurisdictional Dispute in Corporate Governance Action

Pastore has successfully obtained jurisdiction over the CEO of an national logistics company in a dispute between founders of the company. The CEO had previously claimed that service was improper over him in Connecticut and that there was no personal jurisdiction over him within the state despite owning property in Connecticut and the fact that the company was founded in Connecticut. Pastore’s client, a shareholder and founder, was successful in overcoming that argument. Pastore client’s claims exceed $50 Million, alleging that the logistics company has failed to honor his rights as a shareholder and employee. The company, which also owns a large share of Attabotics, a Canadian logistics company, has recently engaged in a series of corporate transactions which may be subject to judicial review.

Pastore Retained in Two New SEC Matters

Pastore LLC has been retained in two separate SEC matters. One matter is an appeal to the Second Circuit arising from an SEC civil action that seeks disgorgement due to alleged false statements under 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(5). Another involves an SEC investigation into a publicly traded retail store. Pastore has a thriving securities practice and has attorneys who have previously worked for SEC enforcement and the NYSE.

Pastore Retained in Multi-Million Dollar Dispute Over Private Jet Fleet

Pastore was retained by a billionaire and his company in connection with a dispute over the maintenance and ownership of a fleet of private jets. The new action, filed in Federal Court in Connecticut, involves Wheels Up and Delta Airlines and alleges breach of contract and unfair trade practices concerning N79B aircraft.

Pastore Files Federal Complaint in AI Venture Capital Dispute

Pastore has been retained by the author of the leading text used at Harvard in the “Starting a Private Investment Firm” course to pursue business torts committed by his former AI Venture Capital Fund General Partner and its affiliated individuals. The defendants, spanning Colorado and Texas, are alleged to have purposefully manipulated the client to build the AI fund, and then cut him out of the carry and returns. The case is pending in the District of Connecticut.

Pastore Attorney Tyler W. Rutherford Quoted By Slate Concerning Sam Bankman-Fried’s Trial

Tyler W. Rutherford was recently interviewed and quoted in Slate Magazine’s recent breaking news article about the Sam Bankman-Fried’s criminal trial in the Southern District of New York. The article can be accessed here. Sam Bankman-Fried is the former CEO and Founder of FTX, which was previously one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.

As a firm that applies a long history of practice in traditional finance and securities to the realm of decentralized financial platforms, Pastore LLC can advise clients on best practices for compliance with regulations related to digital assets, and dispute resolution.

Connecticut State Court Reduces Award by More than Half in Alternative Investment Hedge Fund Dispute

In a hotly contested alternative investment hedge fund dispute involving a billionaire family office, the Connecticut Complex Litigation Court recently reduced an award after trial by more than half. In a motion to modify, Pastore LLC argued that requiring their clients to pay this amount plus interest would be excessive, due to a settlement payment previously received by Plaintiff in a related federal court proceeding. The judge agreed with Pastore LLC on that issue. The issue of costs and attorney’s fees is still pending. Additionally, Pastore LLC’s client won the aforementioned related case in federal court and the corresponding appeal before the Second Circuit, and thus, the entire state court matter is subject to appeal.