Firm Overview
Spears & Imes LLP devotes its practice to white collar criminal defense, securities enforcement matters, and complex civil litigation. Our attorneys have decades of experience trying criminal and civil cases, and we have achieved outstanding results for our clients. In every aspect of our work, our attorneys and our staff share a singular commitment to excellence, and the quality of our written and oral advocacy is exceptional.
Since 2009, Spears & Imes has been recognized as a "Leading Firm" among Specialist Firms with expertise in White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations by Chambers & Partners in its highly respected annual guide to leading law firms and lawyers, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Chambers describes the firm as "highly regarded for its superb and focused expertise in white-collar criminal defense and securities enforcement matters. Its excellent trial experience comes in for particular praise."
White Collar Criminal Defense
In the area of criminal defense, we recognize that avoiding indictment is the best possible outcome, and we have persuaded prosecutors across the country not to bring charges against our clients. When we represent clients who have been indicted, we bring extensive jury trial experience to bear. Our attorneys have defended numerous clients in jury trials in federal courts with notable successes in high-profile cases. Read more >
Securities Enforcement
In our securities enforcement practice, we have substantial experience in every phase of investigations by and proceedings before the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA (formerly the New York Stock Exchange and the NASD). Our cases have involved a wide range of legal issues and provisions under the securities laws. Our attorneys have tried many cases against the SEC, FINRA, the NYSE, and the NASD. Read more >
Complex Civil Litigation
In the area of complex civil litigation, we have represented preeminent domestic and international financial institutions and other entities, as plaintiffs and defendants, in high-stakes lawsuits often involving hundreds of millions of dollars. We have tried many civil cases before juries, judges, and arbitration panels. We have also helped our clients achieve very favorable settlements without trial. Read more >
Appeals
The firm also has an active and varied appellate practice. Our lawyers, who include a former Deputy Chief of Appeals (Criminal Division) at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, have decades of experience in appellate work. Our lawyers have briefed and argued scores of appeals in civil and criminal cases, in government and private practice, and in federal and state courts. Read more >
Parallel Proceedings
Our experience means that we are especially well-qualified to defend individuals and institutions in parallel proceedings where a criminal investigation, a regulatory inquiry, and a civil lawsuit progress simultaneously or in quick succession, all based on the same underlying facts. Each of these proceedings presents different risks, and we are adept at protecting our clients by devising strategies that take all of the risks into account.