Rancho Santa Fe Securities Lawyers

I represent clients in securities disputes before FINRA (NASD, NYSE), state, and federal courts. In June 2019, I was honored to be nominated as a public member of the Discovery Task Force Committee (DTFC) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This committee, established following a directive from the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, reviews substantive issues related to discovery in arbitration proceedings under the FINRA Code of Arbitration Procedure. In June 2013, I was named Chairman of the National Arbitration and Mediation Committee (“NAMC”) of FINRA, an advisory group that recommends rules, regulations, and procedures for FINRA arbitration, mediation, and...

As a partner at Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP (SSEK Law Firm), Kirk G. Smith focuses his practice on securities law. Representing individual and institutional investors against banks, brokerage firms and trust companies, Mr. Smith generally handles cases involving issues such as retirement losses, broker and brokerage firm misconduct, investment derivatives, fraud and financial product failures. He serves clients throughout the U.S.

Before earning a Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law Houston, Mr. Smith attended Loyola University New Orleans. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Previously working as an investment advisor for a large brokerage firm and...

Catherine D. Holmes is an accomplished Business and Securities Law attorney, concentrating on Finance and Investment Law matters. With clients all over the world, she advises on raising, investing and managing capital from both U.S. and non-U.S. investors.

Cathy has practiced law for over 40 years. With a wealth of knowledge and skill, she is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation. Cathy has been recognized for her extensive experience and success, having been named a Southern California Super Lawyer for 10 years. In addition, Cathy was honored by EB5 Investors Magazine as among the Top 15 Corporate Attorneys in 2017 and...

John Jahrmarkt, Esq. is the owner and managing partner of Jahrmarkt & Associates. John has more than 20 years of experience handling all kinds personal injury claims - from complicated catastrophic injuries to garden variety "soft tissue" pain. John knows how the insurance industry works and the steps their adjusters can take to protect their profits. All of our accident and injury claims are managed by John, experienced in fighting back against any low-ball insurance offers. We have recovered a number of multi-million dollar rewards for our clients, and we have established a reputation for excellence and professionalism...

Attorney licensed in California but traveling the world. Business law, contracts, and emerging technology nerd. I'm a specialist in startups and technology, so we're a perfect match if you: - need a contract or agreement written or reviewed, even if it's not tech-related - are a DAO, startup, or established business looking for legal help (even funding related!) - are a software developer or working with software devs and programmers - are interested in or planning on issuing a crypto token - have a legal question unique to technology Currently, I run my own law firm, teach Transactional Drafting at UC Boulder Law as an...

Attorney David P. Meyer is the principal founder of Meyer Wilson. He has gained national recognition as an investment fraud lawyer, representing more than 800 investors in investment misconduct claims. He has won verdicts, settlements and judgments of hundreds of millions of dollars on their behalf. Because he is recognized as an authority in this field, he is often asked to speak for bar associations and at educational seminars. He is an active member of the Public Investors’ Arbitration Bar Association and various other legal professional associations. In 2013, Attorney David Meyer was included in the list of Best...

I bring a wealth of experience in representing clients in litigation and arbitration matters before FINRA and in state and federal courts. As a seasoned attorney, I have represented customers against every major broker-dealer in the industry, providing robust representation in FINRA arbitration cases. My extensive background as lead counsel in FINRA evidentiary hearings underscores my formidable trial experience and commitment to my clients' success. My unique perspective and understanding of the securities industry set me apart from other attorneys. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Southern California, I began my career at Shearson Lehman...

For 24 years, Antone Johnson has served as lawyer, advisor, executive and advocate for emerging growth technology/digital media ventures, founders and investors in a diverse range of business and intellectual property matters. Raised in Menlo Park and Palo Alto, California, suffused with Silicon Valley's unique culture of innovation, he came of age professionally during the Internet explosion of the late 1990s, an entrepreneurial crucible of unprecedented wealth and job creation, reinvention of countless industries, and related venture capital and Wall Street dealmaking. Antone was fortunate to have a ringside seat at major Los Angeles and Silicon Valley law firms, followed...

For over 30 years, Mr. Sparer has successfully represented individuals and businesses in litigation involving securities, contract, insurance, real estate, probate, and trust matters. Sparer Law Group (SLG), Mr. Sparer has obtained over $200 million in settlements, judgments, and recoveries on behalf of securities investors. Mr. Sparer also leads an SLG team that has successfully defended financial professionals and investment funds under investigation by the SEC, FINRA, and the California Department of Business Oversight.

SLG regularly helps resolve sensitive and confidential family disputes involving claims of elder abuse or financial misconduct. In the process, Mr. Sparer has successfully...

Michael N. Steuch is a Business Law attorney specializing in Mergers & Acquisitions, Equity & Debt Financing, and Outside General Counsel matters. With over 20 years of experience, he provides California businesses with trusted legal advocacy.

A highly skilled professional, Michael is committed to superior representation focused on meeting the needs of his clients. Visit his website to see representative experience and transactions, or call for a consultation.

Michael earned his J.D. from UCLA in 1998. He has been recognized by M&A Advisor and named a Southern California Rising Star by Los Angeles Magazine.

Steve Buchwalter has been protecting investors in Southern California for over 25 years. He advocates for individuals, non-profits and corporations in Securities Law, Arbitration & Mediation, and Stockbroker & Investment Fraud matters. Additionally, he assists businesses with legal formation and legal disputes.

Steve brings unique insight and understanding to his representation as a former licensed commodity trading adviser and stockbroker. Recognized as an expert in his field, he has successfully resolved over 400 cases. In 2009, Steve received the largest California judgement of 4.2 billion for his client.

Steve is dedicated to providing legal representation with commitment and integrity. Contact Steve...

Bernie Vogel is a shareholder and the CEO and President of Silicon Valley Law Group. His practice emphasizes complex corporate transactions, investment financings, mergers and acquisitions, as well as the formation and maintenance of partnerships and limited liability companies. He provides ongoing business counseling to a variety of entities, ranging from venture capital firms and start up high tech and biotech companies. Advices on directors & officers liability, corporate governance, stock option plans, licensing, and contracts, as well as advice on complex tax issues with respect to transaction structuring, entity formation, reorganizations, and business succession planning. Before practicing law, Bernie...

Marnie C. Lambert, the founding member of Lambert Law Firm, LLC, is licensed to practice law in all state courts and federal district courts in Ohio and California. She has spent most of her legal career representing consumers in complex civil litigation, commercial litigation, securities litigation and class actions. She has also represented clients seeking recovery for personal injuries, wrongful death and various business torts. Ms. Lambert received her juris doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1992. She spent the first five years after law school working in Los Angeles, California for a large international law firm....

Michael Gallo is a dedicated and skilled Business, Employment, and Securities Law Attorney with Sparer Law Group. Since 2002, he has represented clients in a broad array of areas involving securities, employment, employee raiding, trade secret, public utility ratemaking, and professional responsibility. His experience includes plaintiff and defendant class action matters as well. Mr. Gallo is committed to providing comprehensive representation for his clients' legal needs.

Mr. Gallo received his B.A. from Swarthmore College and M.A. from University of California at Berkeley. In 2001, he obtained his J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. Mr....

As an associate attorney of Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LTD LLP, Ryan Cook maintains an active securities arbitration and litigation practice. Mr. Cook has worked on numerous cases dealing with individual investors, high net worth and institutional investors, corporate executives, regional banks and municipal issuers.

Prior to beginning his law practice, Mr. Cook worked in the securities industry as a licensed and registered representative with a large broker/dealer. He received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from South Texas College of Law, where he earned his degree Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) as the graduating salutatorian. Mr. Cook...

Gordon Young is a 25-year litigator, specializing in financial, trust and securities litigation. Gordon tries and arbitrates cases for trustees, beneficiaries, financial professionals, investment advisors, stock brokers, Wall Street banks, and broker-dealers. These cases include civil, probate and regulatory claims based on breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, fraud, suitability, mismanagement of mutual funds and managed accounts, the prudent investor rule, as well as employee promissory notes, up-front loans, raiding, trade secret, unfair competition and related employment claims. Gordon has successfully assisted numerous investment professionals with FINRA related expungement actions. Gordon has been recognized eleven times...

Kresimir Peharda is a corporate and M&A attorney.

Kresimir advises on commercial agreements, corporate and corporate governance, investment, M&A, and securities. He represents private equity funds, multi state operators, and public companies in acquisitions and vertically integrated companies in sales, financing and reorganization transactions.

Kresimir has represented companies in all stages of development from start-ups to public reporting companies in various industries including education, healthcare, real estate, technology and software. His clients benefit from his experience representing public companies and hands-on operational experience in three start-ups, two in healthcare and one in real estate.

His clients...

Mr. Young is a graduate of Harvard College and The Cornell Law School. He was Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alaska, and Assistant Attorney General of Alaska. Mr. Young was a member of the legal team involved in the structuring and financing of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, one of the largest construction projects in the United States. He was further involved in the litigation which allowed the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline to be successfully built. Besides business transactions and litigation, Mr. Young is experienced in complex litigation against State and Federal Governments and Agencies, including...

Glenn Fuller is a partner and business lawyer with Raines Feldman LLP, where his practice centers on a wide array of matters including real estate acquisition, financing, and leasing of a variety of commercial urban and regional development, redevelopment and revitalization projects.

Gerry Goldsholle is a nationally known expert in insurance and insurance law who uses his decades of knowledge and industry "insider" experience to help his firm's clients stop being taken advantage of by insurance companies and others seeking to wrongfully delay or deny claims or pay pennies on the dollar.

An honors graduate of the College of William and Mary and the Columbia University School of Law, Gerry later completed the Senior Executive Program at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and the coursework for a Masters of Liberal Arts at Stanford. He also served in the Army...

Patrick Delahunty is a former federal prosecutor and a seasoned trial attorney with more than 15 years of experience litigating in federal and state courts. Patrick’s practice focuses on white-collar criminal investigations and litigation resulting from them, including regulatory issues and corporate litigation. He guides his clients with clear advice about their options, legal risks, and—most importantly—the full spectrum of their rights that he will vigorously protect. At each step of the way, he looks for efficient and cost-effective solutions. He has a long track record of securing successful outcomes for his clients with this approach. Prior to...

Will Edelman is a former federal prosecutor, a former police officer, and a Stanford Law graduate who clerked for two federal judges. Will’s practice focuses on white-collar and regulatory matters, internal investigations, and complex commercial litigation. As a federal prosecutor in the Northern District of California, Will acted as first or second chair in ten trials. He also handled numerous contested evidentiary hearings and dispositive motion hearings. As a prosecutor, Will was the primary attorney responsible for a variety of complex matters, including multi-defendant RICO cases and fraud cases. Will also served as a police officer for a large southern California...

Dallas Verhagen is an attorney at Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray, LLP with a practice focused on transactional business matters. Dallas represents startups and small and large businesses in various industries, including tech, retail, manufacturing, transportation, professional services, marketing and media management, cosmetics, cannabis, food and beverage, and consulting. Dallas advises entrepreneurs, startups, and small and large businesses in all areas of business law, including the formation of business entities, negotiating and drafting employment agreements, implementing employee equity incentive agreements and plans, fundraising transactions, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and more. Dallas also serves as outside general counsel for many...

Areas of Expertise

Business advice and counseling
Contract drafting and review
Corporate structure and transactions
Licensing and regulation
Employment and labor negotiation
Insurance coverage and claims handling
Education

B.A., Colgate University, 1991
Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude
J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School, 1994

Martin is an experienced business attorney who facilitates transactions while minimizing the risks and pitfalls facing his clients. Martin takes a “can-do” approach to legal problems that focuses on crafting deals through an integrative and value creating process rather than conflict.

Hornstein Law Offices, Prof. Corp. is a 20-year old California-based law firm concentrating in business, securities, intellectual property and related transactions and litigation. We have served clients across the country and in abroad. Our client base ranges from individuals. start-up companies to multi-national corporations in all fields of business. Mr. Hornstein has been in practice for 30-years. Prior to HLO, he was with large international law firms and in-house corporate counsel. Please call to discuss any questions in these areas.

Chad M. Kohler, an associate attorney at Meyer Wilson, LPA, was born in Sidney, Ohio. He attended the University of Dayton and graduated cum laude in 1998 with a B.A. After earning his undergraduate degree, he attended the Case Western Reserve University School of Law and earned his J.D. in 2001. After graduating from law school, Mr. Kohler focused his practice on business litigation involving contracts, fiduciary relationships, and business torts. Later, he worked as a stockbroker at one of the nation's largest brokerage firms and obtained his Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses. In addition, Mr. Kohler has managed regulatory...

Jin H. Kim is a skilled and knowledgeable Attorney at Sparer Law Group. Her practice areas include a variety of Business, Securities, and Real Estate Law matters. Ms. Kim has more than a dozen years of experience advocating for clients with legal needs. She is committed to providing the highest quality legal representation.

Ms. Kim received a B.A. and M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1999, she obtained her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Ms. Kim is a member of the State Bar of California.

Inna Efimchik has a corporate and securities practice, focusing on emerging growth companies and venture capital firms. Her practice includes general corporate counseling and securities advising, venture capital financings, debt transactions, corporate partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions. During her practice she has represented companies in a wide range of industries, including software, internet, mobile, life sciences, biotechnology, medical device, communications and clean technology. Prior to joining Emergence Law Group, Inna Efimchik practiced corporate and securities law in the emerging companies groups at Cooley LLP and, previously, at Heller Ehrman Venture Law Group. In 2005, Inna Efimchik earned a J.D. from University...

Robyn Manos is a licensed attorney in the State of California with 20 years of corporate law experience.

After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles magna cum laude with a degree in History, Robyn Manos was selected for full tuition scholarships and an academic fellowship from the University of Southern California. Robyn Manos obtained a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California Graduate School of Business Administration in 1992. Concurrently, Robyn Manos obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Law Center, and was awarded an Academic Merit Scholar Award and American...

Mr. Morris is a former SEC Enforcement Attorney. He specializes in complex securities litigation with special emphasis in representing issuers, officers and directors, investment funds, analysts, and brokers in connection with Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority investigations, litigation, and arbitration.

Mr. Wittenberg began a career on Wall Street 20 years ago. He then attended Berkeley Law where he focused his legal education and securities and business transactions. Upon graduating, Mr. Wittenberg was recruited by large law firms to work on tens of billions of dollars of securities offerings and business transactions. Mr. Wittenberg founded Wittenberg Law several years ago to provide more personalized service to people who are seeking representation from a law firm who will champion their cause, provide strategies and diligence that will achieve their goals, and assist in helping them be winners.