James R. Stovall has represented individuals and organizations in a variety of civil, criminal, and regulatory matters. His practice focuses on white collar defense and complex civil litigation. His cases have involved allegations of securities fraud, accounting fraud, wire fraud, investigations by the SEC into broker-dealer and hedge fund trading practices, and litigation concerning the accounting practices of publicly traded companies.
James is a member of the Committee on Professional Ethics of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association (Criminal Justice Section), and is a regular contributor to the Business Crimes Bulletin. He received awards from the Legal Aid Society in 2006, 2009, and 2010 for Outstanding Pro Bono Service. Selected Representations: • Former CEO of Fortune 500 automotive parts supplier and private equity firm partner regarding a federal indictment charging securities fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. After presentation of a white paper to prosecutors, all charges were dropped. • Accounting executive of Fortune 500 company in connection with SEC investigation of alleged accounting fraud. • Current and former directors and officers of a major pharmaceutical company in connection with securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. • Former criminal defense attorney in connection with appeal of conviction for witness tampering and unlawful possession of surveillance equipment. • Former CEO of hospital corporation in connection with appeal of conviction for bribery and honest services fraud arising from dealings with elected officials. • Former attorney in connection with criminal and disciplinary charges arising from alleged misuse of client settlement awards. • Former union official in connection with appeal of conviction for unlawful labor payments. • Insurance broker in connection with criminal charges relating to alleged theft of insurance premiums. • CFO of public company in connection with SEC accounting fraud investigation. After presentation of Wells submission, Enforcement Division recommended that no charges be brought. • CEO of broker-dealer in connection with investigation by SEC and FINRA of manipulative high-frequency trading. • Former police officer in federal criminal case involving charges of interstate stalking, cyberstalking, and interstate violation of an order of protection. After a nine-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts. • Internal investigation for a not-for-profit corporation focusing on allegations of employee embezzlement. • Internal investigation for private company focusing on allegations of diversion of corporate assets by subsidiary. • Former analyst on a proprietary trading desk in connection with investigation of insider trading related to service on a bankruptcy creditor's committee. • Former CEO of major telecommunications company in connection with SEC accounting fraud action and related securities class actions. • Former trader for investment bank in connection with investigation regarding alleged manipulation of Libor. • Former senior executive of international bank in connection with joint investigation by the DOJ and Manhattan District Attorney's Office in connection with allegations of bank fraud and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and related OFAC regulations. • Hedge-fund trader in connection with SEC insider-trading investigation. • Investment bank in connection with arbitration of customer suitability claims. • Songwriter in breach of contract action brought by former manager. • Accounting executives of international pharmaceutical company in connection with internal investigation of alleged accounting improprieties. • CEO in prosecution by Manhattan District Attorney's Office charging unlawful weapons possession and reckless endangerment. • Former employee of a mortgage broker in a mortgage fraud prosecution by the Queens District Attorney's Office. Experience Law Clerk, Honorable Laura Taylor Swain, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York .
