Accountants' Liability Litigation

Chadbourne has an active practice in the defense of claims brought against accountants. We have a broad scope and depth of experience in representing both major national accounting firms as well as smaller firms in significant litigation and litigation-related matters. We represent accounting firms in a wide range of matters, including the defense of securities fraud cases, a variety of professional negligence and malpractice actions, and in enforcement actions and regulatory investigations conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York State Attorney General's Office and other regulatory agencies.

The senior members of our accountants' liability litigation practice include experienced trial attorneys, each of whom has over 20 years of experience litigating matters in such areas accountants' liability, securities litigation, director and officer liability and white collar criminal matters. We regularly litigate the specialized and substantive legal issues that arise in accountants' liability cases. As a result, we can provide informed and realistic evaluations of the prospects for success at each stage of the case. In addition, Chadbourne's attorneys are familiar with and well versed in accounting and auditing issues. We work closely with audit partners and audit team members and when appropriate also work with "inside" or outside accounting experts. We understand the auditing process, including its objectives and limitations, and have been involved in numerous matters regarding issues of due care under Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), the interpretation of financial reporting standards and the adequacy of financial statement disclosures.

We recognize the challenges that accounting firms face in the post-Enron world of increased regulatory scrutiny and heightened public awareness of fraudulent financial reporting. Those challenges make it even more important to have litigation counsel with the depth of experience, substantive knowledge, and grasp of accounting and auditing issues that Chadbourne offers. Those capabilities are responsible for our record of success.

Representative Experience