JAMES L. KOPECKY
Jim brings a wealth of
litigation and regulatory experience to the firm. Early in his career,
Jim represented defendants in commercial disputes, including complex,
federal court multi-district litigation matters. Jim joined the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in 1999, rising to the
level of Branch Chief in the Division of Enforcement. At the SEC, Jim
led a team of attorneys and staff that investigated and prosecuted
securities fraud, including insider trading, accounting fraud,
complicated market manipulation actions, ponzi schemes, offering frauds
and sales practice actions.
Jim heads the firm’s
regulatory services practice, and frequently litigates matters on behalf
of public companies, brokers-dealers, hedge fund managers and
individuals in both state and federal courts across the country, as well
as arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”),
the National Futures Association, and the American Arbitration
Association. Jim regularly defends securities firms and financial
professionals being investigated or sued by regulatory and
self-regulatory agencies such as the SEC, The New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., and FINRA. Jim also acts an independent investigator for
investigations under Sarbanes Oxley and as an independent expert
consultant to companies disciplined by Self Regulatory Organizations.
Jim has been quoted in
the Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, and other
nationally syndicated newspapers. He has practiced in courts around the
country, including California, Texas, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and
Colorado.
Jim graduated from the
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Economics. He
went on to obtain a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Loyola University of
Chicago School of Law where Jim was a Senior Member of the Loyola Law
Journal, winner of two American Jurisprudence Awards for Highest Grades
in Legal Writing and Moot Court, and a recipient of a 1994 Leadership
and Service Award.
Honors and
Achievements
·
The Law Bulletin Publishing Company recognized Jim as one
of 2004’s “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” based on nominations
from prominent Chicago area lawyers.
·
Jim has been named by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine as
one of the state’s top attorneys in Illinois in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are recognized by Illinois
Super Lawyers magazine.
·
In 2004 the State of Illinois Department of Securities
appointed Jim to act as an Administrative Hearing Officer. In his
capacity as an Administrative Hearing Officer, Jim presides over
evidentiary enforcement proceedings, and issues rulings based on federal
and state law. Jim’s service as an Administrative Hearing Officer
continues to this day.
·
Jim also has taught as an adjunct Professor of
Securities Litigation at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law and
previously taught there as an adjunct Professor of Legal Writing.
Representative
Engagements:
Receiverships
·
Upon the recommendation of the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission, Jim was appointed Receiver in SEC v. Weaver,
et al., pending in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois. The action involved a $30 million dollar
fraudulent investment scheme.
·
Upon the recommendation of the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, Jim was appointed Receiver in SEC
v. House Asset Management, LLC et al., pending in the United States
District Court for the Central District of Illinois. The action
involved a $2.9 million dollar fraudulent investment scheme.
·
Upon the recommendation of the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission, Jim was appointed Receiver in SEC v. Lipson,
in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois. There, Jim was responsible for the management and
distribution of a disgorgement fund.
·
Upon the recommendation of the staff of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commission appointed Jim
Administrator of the Fair Fund in In the Matter of Grant Thornton LLP,
et al., Admin. Proc. File No. 3-11377, to administer a $1.6 million
“Fair Fund” created pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Litigation
·
Jim obtained $4 million and $2.8 million
judgments on behalf of investors who lost money in connection with Ponzi
schemes.
·
Jim represents numerous retail securities
customers victimized by fraudulent conduct in connection with the
handling of their investment accounts.
·
Jim defends broker dealers and registered
representatives against allegations of improper handling of customer
accounts.
·
Jim represents hedge funds and other companies accused of
violations of state and federal securities laws.
Investigations and SEC Defense Work
·
Jim currently represents several clients in
insider trading investigations brought by the SEC.
·
Jim also represents individuals
and entities investigations and disciplinary proceedings before FINRA
and SROs.
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