We 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 street smarts of trial lawyers, delivering superior results.

• Featured Matter: More than $10 Million Jury Verdict for clients after they were sued for over $890 Million in International Dispute

Private equity owners and related entities faced hundreds of millions of dollars in potential liability in a complex international dispute involving approximately $900 million. Lawyers at Balestriere eliminated the principal claims against their clients, substantially reducing their exposure. The firm then prosecuted the clients’ affirmative claims through trial and obtained a jury verdict exceeding $10 million.

Matter Type: Commercial Litigation · Private Equity · International Dispute · State Court Jury Trial

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.

• Featured Matter: Civil RICO Jury Verdict for Real Estate Developer Uphold on Appeal

Lawyers at Balestriere prosecuted federal racketeering and conspiracy claims on behalf of a real estate developer through a jury trial.

The jury returned a verdict in the client’s favor, resulting in an award of treble damages and recovery of the client’s attorneys’ fees. The matter represents an extraordinary plaintiff-side civil RICO jury victory - upheld on appeal, and where lawyers at Balestriere successfully enforced the judgment against the defendants - demonstrating the firm’s ability to investigate, develop, and try complex fraud and conspiracy claims, defend them on appeal, and seek recovery for clients.

Matter Type: Civil RICO · Commercial Fraud · Federal Jury Trial · Real Estate · Appeal

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.

• Featured Matter: Complete Dismissal of Hague Convention Claims

Lawyers at Balestriere defended an individual in an action brought under the Hague Convention concerning alleged international child abduction, obtaining complete dismissal of all claims.

Matter Type: Hague Convention · Obtaining Complete Dismissal of All Claims Against the Client · Federal Litigation

• Featured Matter: False Claims Settlement Involving Manhattan Commercial Development

Lawyers at Balestriere pursued a False Claims Act matter involving real estate developers and a Manhattan commercial project on behalf of the government.

The matter resulted in a settlement for the government, demonstrating the firm’s ability to investigate and pursue complex whistleblower and False Claims Act matters involving sophisticated commercial transactions, real estate interests, and alleged misconduct affecting public funds.

Matter Type: False Claims Act · Whistleblower Representation · Real Estate · Government Recovery · Commercial Development

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. Lawyers represent clients in 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. 

• Featured Matter: Complete Dismissal of Claims Seeking Hundreds of Millions of Dollars

Balestriere defended the founder of a prominent blockchain company in a high-stakes dispute seeking hundreds of millions of dollars. The firm successfully obtained complete dismissal of all claims, eliminating substantial potential liability for the client.

Matter Type: Cryptocurrency and Blockchain · Founder Representation · Commercial Litigation · Dismissal

The Firm 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.

Featured Matter: Complete Dismissal of Criminal Charges Against Hedge Fund Manager

Lawyers at Balestriere defended a hedge fund manager in a criminal matter involving allegations of theft.

The firm’s defense resulted in the complete dismissal of all charges against the client. The matter demonstrates the firm’s ability to defend financial professionals facing serious criminal allegations, develop focused defense strategies, and pursue outcomes that protect clients from the substantial professional, financial, and reputational consequences of a criminal prosecution.

Matter Type: Criminal Defense · Financial Services · Hedge Funds · Theft Allegations · Dismissal of Charges

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.

• Featured Experience: Pre-Litigation Resolutions for Companies and Individuals

Balestriere lawyers have advised companies and individuals facing potential disputes and obtained settlements in dozens of matters before litigation was filed. By combining early factual investigation with the firm’s trial experience, Balestriere helps clients assess risk, identify leverage, and pursue resolution before the cost and disruption of formal litigation escalate.

Matter Type: Pre-Litigation Strategy · Investigations · Dispute Resolution

The Firm does not only make cases as investigators, and handle matters all the way through to trial, but defends the results it achieves for clients and handles post-trial matters for other lawyers in state and federal appellate courts around the United States.

Featured Matter: Complete Dismissal of Criminal Charges on Appeal

On appeal, lawyers at Balestriere obtained dismissal of the indictment, resulting in the complete dismissal of all charges against the client. The matter demonstrates the firm’s ability to identify and pursue significant appellate issues, challenge adverse criminal outcomes, and obtain complete relief for clients facing serious consequences.

Matter Type: Criminal Defense · Appeals · Indictment Dismissal · Post-Conviction Advocacy

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.

• Featured Experience: Litigation-Risk Analysis Across Dozens of Investments

Balestriere lawyers have advised hedge funds and other professional investors in assessing litigation risk across dozens of prospective and existing investments.

The firm’s analysis helps clients evaluate how pending disputes, potential claims, enforcement exposure, and other legal risks may affect an investment’s value, structure, and overall risk profile.

Matter Type: Hedge Funds · Investment Due Diligence · Litigation-Risk Analysis