We are here to serve and counsel our clients first and foremost as professionals. Our attorneys bring years of experience that combine the sophisticated analysis of complex business litigation with the streets smarts of trial lawyers, delivering superior results.

The firm represents companies and individuals who wish to use the generous civil discovery and litigation rules to recover or prevent damages from fraud—either in concert with prosecutors and regulators or, in some cases, in place of such government attorneys. Such civil fraud prosecution permits clients to control the litigation and focus on the practices or fraud which are most important to them.

Firm attorneys serve the transactional, compliance, regulatory, and litigation needs of clients in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries, including with Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and other cryptocurrency offerings.

The Firm counsels compliance with and disputes over money services, securities, and derivatives laws, with high-growth fin-tech companies, as well as start ups on the use of decentralized ledgers, including blockchains, to raise funds. We also endeavor successfully to obtain licensing and registration determinations, known as “no-action letters,” for our clients; provide advice to clients on how permissibly to avoid regulation; and advise on pre-sale ICO issues and documentation.

The Firm also defends enforcement actions from state and federal prosecutors and regulators including the SEC, FinCEN, the Department of the Treasury, IRS, and state banking commissions, and is prepared to build on its years of complex business litigation experience to represent individuals and businesses who have disputes.

The firm represents individuals and companies in criminal cases in state and federal court, in investigations brought by criminal prosecutors or conducted by grand juries, and before the SEC, FINRA, and other federal, state, and local regulators. Our team works to prevent formal investigations from materializing, but, if necessary, we are prepared to litigate to trial and appeal to defend our clients.

False Claims Act Defendants

Balestriere represents defendants in highly complex False Claims Act cases. Our experience on the plaintiff-relator side of these cases gives us additional insight into what is necessary to defend against alleged violations of the federal, state, and local false claims laws. Consistent with our complex litigation and investigations services, the firm conducts the necessary investigations into the individual(s) bringing the qui tam lawsuit to determine if they are even an adequate plaintiff-relator under the False Claims Act.

Whistleblowers

The firm represents whistleblowers who wish to bring qui tam lawsuits under federal, state, and local false claims laws. Balestriere Fariello prosecutes fraud either in concert with government attorneys, or, in some cases, in place of those government attorneys in accordance with the False Claims Act. The firm also handles the initial investigations and necessary government disclosures that precede qui tam lawsuits under the false claims laws.

Our litigation focus helps us be the best possible counselors. As entrepreneurs ourselves who founded the firm to create a more efficient, productive, better motivated, and better managed law office, we understand the needs of business people.

We provide legal services regarding any kind of transactions, deals, or contracts, as well as a host of general legal needs in the areas of real estate, landlord-tenant, employment, compliance, regulatory requirements, and just about any legal need a business or entrepreneur can have. We’ve handled complex transactions of all sizes. Our attorneys have backgrounds as fighters—who have seen deals go bad, and who have seen how lawyers can prevent headaches for our clients if those clients address concerns early—making us better counselors and transactional lawyers.

Internal Investigations

The firm conducts internal investigations on behalf of companies, boards of directors, and special board managements committees of suspected criminal, regulatory, or civil misconduct. We have experience dealing with various state, federal, and regulatory agencies in connection with those investigations. Balestriere also advises company and institutional clients regarding the establishment and implementation of business ethics compliance programs and counsels clients with respect to specific compliance concerns.

Outside Investigations

Balestriere conducts deep investigations into individuals and companies for clients interested in doing business with new partners, purchasing potential companies, or making significant investments. The firm also conducts background checks on all kinds of individuals, including potential employees or managers. Such services provide clients with an additional level of information and security before conducting business and while running their businesses.

Through a strategic alliance with other investigators, we are able to conduct investigations of any size, throughout the country and world, using an alliance of attorneys, investigators, forensic accountants, and analysts.