Overview
Broker-Dealer Arbitration
Jeff defends broker-dealers and registered representatives in FINRA securities arbitrations against claims of unsuitability, churning, unauthorized trading, selling away, inadequate supervision, and alleged violations of state and federal securities laws. He has worked on cases involving investments such as stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, structured products, variable products, equity-indexed annuities, REITs, TICs and private placements.
Jeff also represents broker-dealers in industry disputes with their former representatives involving claims of wrongful termination, Form U-5 defamation and breach of promissory notes, trying many such cases to a final arbitration award.
Life Insurance Company Litigation
Jeff represents life insurance companies in class actions and other disputes arising from the sale of variable and fixed products, STOLI-related matters, disputes involving beneficiaries and premium finance companies, and commission charge-back disputes with agents.
Regulatory Enforcement Proceedings
Jeff represents public companies, investment advisory firms, broker-dealers and registered representatives during formal and informal investigations conducted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and other state securities regulators. He has advised on investigations relating to:- Insider trading
- Sales of mutual fund Class B shares
- Mutual fund market timing
- Sales of variable annuities
- Private securities transactions
- Use of senior professional designations
- Allocations of initial public offering shares
- Portability of investment performance records
Other Financial Services Litigation
Jeff resolves civil litigation for investment advisory firms and hedge funds, such as disputes with investors or other creditors with competing claims or between principals of such firms. He also represents underwriters and mutual fund companies in cases arising from municipal bond offerings.Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
Minnesota Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Clerkships
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Hon. Diana E. Murphy, 1986-1988
Education
Yale Law School
J.D. Yale Law Journal (senior editor) (1986)
Williams College
B.A. magna cum laude, with high honors, Phi Beta Kappa (1982)
Insights & Events
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
- Clemency Project
- Justice for Veterans
Professional Associations
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute Resolution — Arbitrator
- Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association — Compliance and Legal Division
- Association of Life Insurance Counsel — Member
Civic Activities
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The Playwrights' Center — Board of Directors, 2018-present
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Senior Community Services — Board of Directors, 2014-present
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Theatre de la Jeune Lune — Board of Directors, 1996-2002
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Williams College — Associate Class Agent, 2000-10
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Yale Law School Class of 1986 — Reunion Gift Committee, 2006, 2011 and 2016
Honors
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Baker Benson Pro Bono Award, 2018; Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2015-18