Securities & SEC Enforcement
Tonkon Torp’s trial lawyers handle complicated matters involving securities law and corporate governance. We represent officers and directors in shareholder class actions, derivative actions, and SEC and state enforcement actions. We fight off unwelcome corporate take-over attempts, secure contentious acquisitions, and manage challenges to the sufficiency of proxy materials.

Our trial teams include experienced securities and corporate governance lawyers. Over the years, Tonkon Torp has been central to many of the most prominent securities cases in Oregon, and involving Oregon companies across the country.

Confidential

(NASDR Arbitration) – Achieved a favorable result in arbitration in the defense of a local, family-owned securities brokerage against claims of unauthorized and unsuitable trading.

Eischen v. AVIVA et. al.

Defended a class action shareholder claim through to completed trial, challenging AVIVA- Reebok merger.

ENRON

Tonkon Torp was lead counsel for a former executive officer and board member of Enron in dozens of federal and state court lawsuits in more than 20 states. We represented our client in civil lawsuit proceedings involving the Department of Labor and SEC, and a myriad of other proceeds obtaining favorable settlements to resolve all the proceedings before trial.

Walker v. Metro One

(Multnomah County Circuit Court/Oregon Court of Appeals) – Obtained damages for an investor at trial for breach of convertible promissory note where company had refused to issue shares; successfully defended appeal.

Supreme Court Throws Out SEC Administrative Law Judge Process

On June 21, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States invalidated the process that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") had been using to appoint administrative law judges. Staff from the SEC had selected administrative law judges as…
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Vulnerable Person Abuse Protections Coming to FINRA in 2018

Similar to the Oregon legislature's recent changes to ORS Chapter 59, intended to protect "vulnerable persons" against financial exploitation, FINRA has implemented changes to its rules effective February 5, 2018, intended to protect "specified adult…
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New “Financial Abuse” Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Oregon Investment Adviser Representatives

Effective January 1, 2018, Oregon's securities regulation laws started imposing a mandatory reporting requirement in certain circumstances on "qualified individuals"—including investment adviser representatives—to protect "vulnerable persons" from…
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Investment Adviser Update: Revised Form ADV Began October 1st

Effective October 1, 2017, investment advisers must adhere to amended requirements regarding the investment adviser public disclosure form (Form ADV). The Securities Exchange Commission (the SEC) announced these amendments in 2016. The new Form ADV…
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Fiduciary Rule's Status Uncertain

On Friday, February 3, 2017, the President signed an executive order requiring the re-examination of the final Fiduciary Rule (81 Fed. Reg. 20946 (April 8, 2016)) set to go into effect on April 10, 2017. The Fiduciary Rule, which was the subject of…
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Major Changes to DOL Fiduciary Investment Adviser Definition and Prohibited Transaction Exemptions

On April 6, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (the "DOL") issued final regulations redefining fiduciary investment advice for ERISA-covered employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The final rule significantly expands the…
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Nine Rising Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included on 2021 “Ones to Watch” List

Nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing nine practice groups have been honored in Best Lawyers' inaugural Ones to Watch directory. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is a peer-review honor focused on acknowledging attorneys who have been in private practice…
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Best Lawyers in America® Includes 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2021 List

Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. A majority of attorneys have been named to the peer-review list in past years, and most have been recognized for more…
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26 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2020 Super Lawyers Lists

Twenty-six Tonkon Torp attorneys in nine practice areas have been included in the 2020 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Tonkon Torp partner and bankruptcy authority Albert N. Kennedy has been once again recognized on the Top 50 list of…
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Anna Sortun and Ryan Bledsoe Admitted to International Society of Barristers

Tonkon Torp litigation partners Anna Sortun and Ryan Bledsoe have been admitted as Fellows to the International Society of Barristers. The organization is an honor society that maintains a worldwide membership of less than 750 trial lawyers deemed by…
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Tonkon Torp Practice Areas Ranked in 2020 U.S. News "Best Law Firms" Publication

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® has released its 2020 edition of "Best Law Firms." Tonkon Torp is once again ranked among the nation's best for six business law service categories including Land Use & Zoning Law, Securities Regulation, Commercial…
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2020 List for Best Lawyers in America® Includes 48 Tonkon Torp Attorneys

Forty-eight Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 39 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2020. A majority of attorneys have been named to the list in past years, and most have been recognized for more than five…
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31 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2019 Super Lawyers Lists

Thirty-one Tonkon Torp attorneys in nine practice areas have been included in the 2019 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
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Jarell Hunt Elected Treasurer of OSB Securities Regulation Section

Tonkon Torp attorney Jarell Hunt has been elected Treasurer of the Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section (SRS). Attorneys who belong to the SRS focus their practice on transactional issues or litigation involving securities.
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Tonkon Torp Practice Areas Ranked in 2019 U.S. News "Best Law Firms" Publication

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® has released its 2019 edition of "Best Law Firms." Tonkon Torp is once again ranked among the nation's best for six business law service categories including Land Use & Zoning Law, Securities Regulation, Commercial…
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Best Lawyers in America® Names 51 Tonkon Torp Attorneys to 2019 List

Fifty-one Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 41 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019. Nearly all attorneys have been named to the list in past years, and have been recognized for more than five years
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Dan  Skerritt
Practice Area Co-Chair

Dan Skerritt

Partner

Paul  Conable
Practice Area Co-Chair

Paul Conable

Partner