Lisa C. Solbakken

Co-founder of the firm, Lisa C. Solbakken serves as lead counsel and trusted advisor to her clients in all aspects of business-related litigations and negotiations, including matters of business development, contract and securities law, regulatory investigations, and employment.

Ms. Solbakken also regularly advises equity holders and senior executives of both public and private companies in connection with complex commercial business and litigation issues, including fiduciary law, compensatory rights, non-compete obligations and wrongful termination matters. Her clients rely on her creative problem-solving, good judgment and unflinchingly honest legal advice.

Ms. Solbakken appears in state and federal courts throughout the United States in connection with her practice. She also regularly represents clients in regulatory matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the National Futures Association. She lectures on litigation risks and employment issues to bar associations and industry groups. She is a sought-after source for news media nationwide, known for a no-nonsense approach to winning cases no matter the size of her adversary.

Before joining the firm, Ms. Solbakken served as law clerk to the Honorable Arlene R. Lindsay of the Eastern District of New York, after which she practiced in the New York office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. She is consistently recognized as a New York “Super Lawyer” and a top Bet-the-Company litigator.

• Successfully defended CEO against FINRA allegations that he engaged in insider trading, obtaining dismissal of all claims after full arbitration hearing on the merits.
• Obtained summary dismissal of forty-four separate derivative claims asserted against Board in shareholder derivative suit.
• Successfully prosecuted fraud and alter ego claims against Company’s President and CEO, resulting in mandate that the executive is personally liable on a multi-million dollar judgment.
• Prevailed on all counts of a breach of contract case involving pre-IPO sales of Facebook and Zynga stock.
• Successfully defended a managing member of a LLC in a lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims, obtaining dismissal of all counts.
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of former partner of technology company in connection with a breach of a share repurchase agreement.
• Successfully negotiated the transition of partners separating from Wall Street investment bank to open their own fund.
• Serves as advisor to leading financing specialist firm that provides portfolio-critical financial services to hedge fund clients.
• Defended chief executive officer of a leading manufacturer of automotive interior components in connection with securities fraud claims, obtaining dismissal of all counts.
• Negotiated multi-million dollar separation agreement on behalf of founding member and chief operating officer of closely held corporation.
• Successfully resolved contentious litigation between founding members of a real estate brokerage firm, resulting in a settlement affording client increased equity and sole managerial authority.
• Obtained multi-million dollar jury verdict for hedge fund against major telecommunications company for failure to honor warrant expiration dates.
• As member of the trial team, defended four major Wall Street investment banks against class action litigation commenced in Worldcom securities class action suit pending in the Southern District of New York.
• Served as co-counsel for defendant in two-month bench trial when no damages were awarded in Lanham Act case alleging unfair trade practices.
• Regularly represents private equity and hedge fund members in employment-related business disputes and negotiations.