Jack is Co-chair of the Securities Litigation Practice and a seasoned trial lawyer whose clients include public and private corporations, officers, directors, special committees, accountants, mutual funds, portfolio managers, and investment advisors. His practice encompasses all facets of securities and financial fraud litigation, and he has handled complex civil and criminal matters involving insider trading, revenue recognition, high-yield investment schemes, market timing, late trading, options backdating, and securities.
He frequently represents clients in connection with internal investigations and investigative and enforcement proceedings conducted by the SEC, FINRA, and state regulatory agencies. His clients range from Fortune 500 companies to startups in the life sciences, retail and consumer goods, and technology space. Jack also leverages his extensive background in securities litigation and M&A litigation to counsel companies on risks related to SPAC transactions and litigation avoidance.
In addition to his trial experience, Jack also has represented clients in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, including proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and FINRA.
Experience
- Jury acquittal for a CEO client charged with criminal tax evasion arising from an options backdating investigation.
- Represented Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a decision crystalizing the standard required to plead scienter in securities fraud cases in the First Circuit.
- Retained as trial counsel to defend former CFO of a two-and-a-half billion-dollar NYSE-listed company based in China, in a securities class action trial relating to the company's 2011 financial collapse. Secured a favorable trial verdict and resulting settlement that required no monetary payment from the CFO.
- Represented the Orchid Cellmark board in connection with shareholder derivative litigation alleging breach of fiduciary duty in connection with a merger transaction, defeating plaintiffs’ attempt to enjoin the transaction, resulting in the merger closing on schedule.
- Represented former officers and directors of The Learning Co. (TLC) in a shareholder class action alleging violation of Section 11 of the '33 Act brought by former shareholders of Broderbund, Inc., a company previously acquired by TLC, securing a dismissal in the trial court and an affirmance in the Ninth Circuit.
- Defended a public pharmaceutical company and its officers against Section 10(b) and Section 11 claims arising out of a secondary public offering, successfully obtaining a dismissal of all counts.
- Successfully represented a technology company and the company’s officers and directors against allegations of securities fraud.
- Favorable post-trial decision in Delaware Court of Chancery for corporate and individual clients charged with breaches of fiduciary duties.
- Defense jury verdict for corporate officers charged with violation of Section 10(b) in connection with the purchase of convertible-preferred securities.
- Represented iBasis, Inc. and its officers and directors in a shareholder derivative action alleging breach of fiduciary duty and violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, arising out of alleged stock options “backdating” and improper accounting attendant thereto, prevailing on a motion to dismiss.
Case Studies
Case Study
viewpoints
Minimizing Stockholder Litigation Risks
February 18, 2022 | Blog
In 2021, approximately on quarter of all federal securities fraud class action lawsuits filed nationwide were against life sciences companies and their officers and directors. These considerations are for directors and officers of life sciences companies looking to manage disclosures and mitigate risk before a suit ever gets filed.
Webinar Recording: When the Dust Settles: A Closer Look at the SPAC Boom and Potential Litigation to Follow
June 7, 2021 | Webinar | By Nancy Adams, John Sylvia
Supreme Court of Delaware Overturns Court of Chancery, Allowing Corporations To Enact Federal Forum Provisions to Keep Securities Act Claims In Federal Court
March 20, 2020 | Blog | By John Sylvia, Patrick E. McDonough, Ellen Shapiro
Issuers Face Changing Litigation Landscape, Challenges Due to Supreme Court Ruling
March 22, 2018 | Alert | By John Sylvia
Chancellor Strine Issues Important Decision Validating Board Adoption of Forum Selection Clause in Bylaws
July 3, 2013 | Alert | By John Sylvia
News & Press
23 Mintz Attorneys Named to Boston Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” List
November 22, 2024|
Runners-Up and Shout-Outs From Before the 4th
July 9, 2024|
Thomson Reuters Recognizes 10 Mintz Attorneys as “Stand-out Lawyers”
February 20, 2024|
Twenty-Five Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 21, 2023|
Mintz Appoints Doug Baumstein as Securities Litigation Co-chair
November 14, 2023|
Thirteen Mintz Members Named To Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators List
September 11, 2023|
BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.
Twenty-Eight Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 22, 2022|
Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Roundtable: Shareholder Disputes
June 16, 2021|
SPAC Lawsuits Surge Over Disclosure Claims
June 10, 2021|
Mintz Publishes In-Depth Report Breaking Down the SPAC Surge
March 19, 2021|
How A PR Error Might Absolve Kodak Of Insider Trading Charges
August 16, 2020|
Mintz Attorneys and Practices Recognized by Chambers USA 2020
April 24, 2020|
One Hundred Mintz Attorneys Ranked as Leaders by Best Lawyers 2020
August 15, 2019|
Mintz Recognized by Chambers USA 2019
April 26, 2019|
F-Squared Was Wrong Test Case For SEC Disgorgement
August 28, 2018|
Chambers USA 2018 Ranks Mintz Attorneys & Practices
May 03, 2018
SEC to Face More Pressure on Enforcement Forum Choices
December 1, 2016|
Trump’s SEC Likely To Shrink Back Where White’s Expanded
November 16, 2016|
Clarity the Big Wish in Insider Trading Case
October 7, 2016|
49 Mintz Attorneys Featured in Chambers USA 2016 Guide
May 31, 2016|
Mintz Prevails Over SEC in Closely-Watched First Circuit Case
December 11, 2015|
Events & Speaking
When the Dust Settles: A Closer Look at The SPAC Boom and Potential Litigation to Follow
Mintz
Webinar
Hot Topics and Trends in D&O Coverage and Liability
PLUS
John J. Moakley Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way, Boston, MA
Mintz and Grant Thornton Present a Multitopic CLE Workshop
Grant Thornton 757 3rd Avenue and 47th Street New York, NY
Recognition & Awards
Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Securities Litigation (2006, 2010 – 2025)
Best Lawyers in America: Litigation – Securities (2018 – 2027)
Chambers USA: Massachusetts – Litigation – Securities (2011 – 2026)
Lawdragon: 500 Leading Litigators in America (2022 – 2027)
Legal 500: Recommended Lawyer – Securities Litigation – Defense (2026)
Boston Magazine: Top Lawyers – Securities Law (2022 – 2024)
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Business Today News: Top 10 Prominent Securities Litigation Lawyers Shaping Massachusetts in 2023
Thomson Reuters: Stand-out Lawyers (2024)
Recent Insights
