Benjamin S. Fischer

Benjamin S. Fischer is a nationally recognized criminal defense lawyer, civil litigator and trial attorney.  He regularly represents corporate executives and corporations in criminal actions, government investigations, and high stakes business litigation. He has significant experience litigating almost every aspect of criminal and civil cases in both federal and state court, and in defending clients accused of violating the securities laws at all stages. Ben has tried criminal and civil cases to verdict and arbitrations to final decisions. He has led corporate internal investigations for multinational corporations. Ben also represents clients at all stages of internal and government investigations, often successfully working to avoid the imposition of any charges against his clients.

Ben consistently has been recognized by the leading legal publications as a preeminent attorney in his field.  Benchmark Litigation: The Definitive Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys recognizes Ben as a National Practice Area Star (White Collar Crime) and a Local (New York) Practice Area Star (White Collar Crime).  Benchmark has described Ben as “the one to watch” at Morvillo Abramowitz.  Chambers USA has regularly ranked Ben as a Leading Lawyer in the area of Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations and Legal 500 has recognized him as a Recommended Lawyer in Corporate Investigations / White Collar Criminal Defense.  Chambers noted that “Benjamin Fischer is relied on by high-level employees and companies facing complex criminal proceedings arising out of allegations of financial misconduct,” and described him as “a really smart, thoughtful and creative lawyer.”  In Chambers’ most recent rankings, Ben’s peers reported that “Ben has a sense of calm under pressure that radiates to others. He has excellent client management. He is the consummate lawyer. Ben has excellent knowledge, is credible with regulators and prosecutors, easy to work with for lawyers and has a real strategic nose.” Thomson Reuters has included him on its Super Lawyers list every year since 2013, and Ben was named a “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal, in which he was selected as one of 40 lawyers under the age of 40 that “represent the next generation of dynamic, intelligent and civic minded New York bar leaders.”   

Ben’s cases have involved allegations of securities fraud, hedge fund mismanagement, private equity fund mismanagement, insider trading, asset overvaluation, money laundering, sanctions violations, bribery, Ponzi schemes, rate fixing, price fixing, digital asset fraud and manipulation, stock option backdating, market timing, collusion, tax fraud, failure to supervise, attorney misconduct, and money laundering.  Ben represents individuals and corporations under investigation by the United States Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, the New York District Attorney’s Office, numerous attorney general offices, and FINRA.  Many of Ben’s matters involve international issues, and he has extensive experience dealing with international regulators.

Selected Representations:

• Lead counsel to Special Committee of Board of Directors of a multinational media company in connection with the Eastern District of New York’s FIFA investigation.
• Representation of a former employee of investment fund (Platinum Partners) charged by the Department of Justice (Eastern District of New York) and Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with allegations that that hedge fund was overvalued and that misrepresentations were made to investors. Mr. Fischer resolved the criminal case by securing a deferred prosecution agreement with the government in which the government agreed to dismiss the indictment against the client with prejudice after the expiration of a two-year deferral period.
• Representation of firm charged by Securities and Exchange Commission with failing to register as an investment adviser.  Case is currently pending in the Southern District of New York.
• Representation of leading portfolio manager of large international financial institution accused of securities laws violations. 
• Multiple representations of individuals and entities accused of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
• Former CEO of numerous hedge funds in multiple investigations, civil litigations and arbitrations arising out of the fraud committed by a former portfolio manager.  This representation included fully litigating three contested arbitration hearings in which all claims against client—including claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence—were dismissed. On behalf of the same client, Mr. Fischer helped secure a $15 million arbitration award ordering full indemnification of the client’s legal fees and expenses. Mr. Fischer’s representation of the same client also involved the obtaining a $6 million jury award against the client’s former audit firm for failing to bring its audit findings to his attention. Mr. Fischer also obtained favorable outcomes for the client with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Multiple individuals under investigation for insider trading by the Department of Justice (including the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York) and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Former National Basketball Association player charged with health cared fraud by the Department of Justice.
• Chief Financial Officer of a public company in connection with Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission fraud investigations.
• Chief Financial Officer of private equity fund in connection with investigation by Securities Exchange Commission regarding alleged wrongful conduct.
• Numerous entities and employees in connection with investigations conducted by the Department of Justice and international regulators regarding acts and practices occurring on foreign currency exchanges.
• Representation of financial institutions and broker dealers accused of failing to supervise employees that engaged in improper conduct.
• Chief Executive Officer of a private investment fund in an action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the purchase and sale of unregistered securities.
• Chief Financial Officer of investment management fund in connection with investigation regarding alleged accounting fraud.
• Senior compliance official in connection with federal investigation regarding Anti-Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act.
• Numerous employees of a multi-million dollar privately held company under investigation by the Department of Justice for Bank Secrecy Act violations. The investigation concluded with no charges against the company or the employees.
• A former Ernst & Young partner accused of insider trading both at trial and on appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The appeal decided a groundbreaking issue of first impression in the insider trading arena and held that parties can rightfully defend against insider trading charges – and argue that no insider trading occurred – by relying on a SEC regulation that lawfully permits the communication of confidential information in the context of relationships of trust and confidence (17 C.F.R. § 240.10b5-2).
• Former senior corporate officer of a public company in option backdating investigations conducted by New York County District Attorney’s Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Former senior corporate officer of a major financial institution in investigations conducted by Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Attorney General’s Office (as well as related civil actions) concerning market timing in mutual funds.
• Former Chief Financial Officer of a public company in connection with an accounting fraud investigation conducted by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Corporate officers of a large financial institution in a market manipulation investigation conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• A large financial institution in internal investigation—and subsequent investigation conducted by the Department of Justice—regarding a rogue trader.
• Corporations and employees in connection with internal workplace harassment related issues.
• A large financial institution in internal investigation and subsequent FINRA investigation concerning the conduct of rogue back-office employees engaged in the manipulation of collateral levels.
• Several businesses in connection with disputes between business partners.