Edward D. Altabet
- New York
- ealtabet@cohenseglias.com
- 212.871.7019
Commercial Litigation
- Represented a concrete company on claims for unpaid invoices and foreclosure of a mechanic’s lien.
- Defended a public company and its officers and directors in a securities class action, SEC investigation, and multiple derivative suits alleging stock options backdating.
- Represented joint venture of Blackstone Group and Cerberus Capital Mgmt. in an action to foreclose on five state-of-the-art oil tankers.
- Represented investor in action to recover a substantial investment in real estate located in the Republic of Georgia.
Investigations
- Represented a not-for-profit corporation in connection with allegations of financial mismanagement and self-dealing by a senior executive.
- Represented a religious corporation in an internal investigation into allegations of misallocation of funds relating to alleged abuse of expense account.
- Defended a food service management company in a New York attorney general investigation into alleged violations of False Claims Act relating to the company’s alleged failure to pass back rebates to public universities, schools, and hospitals.
- Represented bank in an SEC investigation possible allegations of insider trading involving one of its market-making desks.
- Represented an investment manager of fund-of-funds in a joint SEC and North Carolina attorney investigation into possible violations of pay-to-play rules and the use of placement agents.
Ed serves as a trusted advisor and counsel to businesses and entrepreneurs across a broad range of industries including banking, wealth management, professional services, construction, and real estate. Clients trust him to help them resolve their commercial and civil disputes involving contracts, business torts, lenders’ and creditors’ rights, foreclosures, partnership disputes, and executive employment issues. Ed also represents companies, not-for-profit corporations, religious institutions, and senior executives in connection with internal and regulatory-driven investigations relating to allegations of financial misconduct.
Ed is a fierce advocate for clients both in and out of the courtroom, with experience litigating matters before state, federal, and appellate courts. He advises on legal issues that affect a business’s day-to-day operations and long-term plans. This broad experience enables Ed to serve as outside general counsel for numerous clients.
Protecting a client’s business integrity is at the heart of Ed’s internal investigations practice. Organizations and boards rely on him for guidance with conducting internal investigations concerning alleged improper financial conduct, undisclosed self-dealing, accounting fraud, commingling of assets, or the improper allocation of restricted funds. Partnering with outside professionals such as accountants and auditors, Ed aims to help determine if there has been wrongdoing, and if so, the proper path to remediation.
Investigations also arise from inquires or subpoenas issued by state attorneys general or government agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A company or executive’s initial response to allegations of financial wrongdoing, False Claims Act (FCA) violations, insider trading, misallocation of funds, or unfair and deceptive billing and marketing practices can color how the investigation proceeds, something which Ed heeds as he works with companies, audit committees, and executives to form their responses and potential defenses.
- Cornell Law School, J.D., LL.M
- Columbia University, M.A.
- Binghamton University, B.A. cum laude
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
