Sarah R. Wolff
Sarah is the chair of the Securities Litigation and Enforcement Group. She regularly represents public companies and their officers and directors in SEC and other regulatory agency investigations and enforcement actions. Her areas of expertise include the anti-fraud provisions of the securities statutes, including insider trading matters, as well as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Ms. Wolff's practice also includes representation of clients in complex civil litigation in federal and state courts throughout the country. Sarah, an experienced trial lawyer, has defended numerous 10b-5 securities and consumer fraud class actions on behalf of public companies and their officers and directors. She has led special committee inquiries in securities and corporate governance matters and has assisted corporate clients in conducting internal investigations in a wide range of areas. Sarah regularly speaks on panels and programs pertaining to the securities laws, corporate governance and compliance programs and trial strategy. She was named one of "America’s Top 50 Women Litigators" by The National Law Journal, in December 2001, and has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for Business Litigation (2003-2009).
Representative Matters
Defending a major U.S. bank in several securities fraud class actions relating to the sale of auction rate securities.
Representing individual and public company clients in various SEC investigations.
Representing several national financial institutions and corporations in connection with claims against a money market fund that "broke the buck."
Defending a former CFO of a public company in numerous securities fraud class actions, ERISA class actions, derivative action and SEC investigation.
Defended the former chief financial officer of a Fortune 200 Company in an SEC investigation and securities fraud enforcement action (11 week jury trial) arising out of the company's restatement of its financial statements. Also defended consolidated securities fraud class and individual actions in multiple venues.
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Speeches / Presentations
- Frequent speaker on panels and programs pertaining to securities laws, corporate governance and compliance efforts.
Experience
| 2007 | Reed Smith Head of Securities Litigation & Enforcement Group |
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| 1979 | Sachnoff & Weaver (combined with Reed Smith in 2007) Chair, Sachnoff & Weaver Litigation Group Member, Sachnoff & Weaver Board of Directors |
Legal Education
| 1978 | J.D., Northwestern University Law School Member, Board of Editors of the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology |
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Undergraduate Education
| 1974 | B.S., with highest distinction, Northwestern University |
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Professional Affiliations
- Named one of “America’s Top 50 Women Litigators” by The National Law Journal, (December 17, 2001)
- Listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Business Litigation, (2003 - 2009)
- Selected as a 2009 Illinois Super Lawyer in Securities Litigation by Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition magazine