Pozen, Gold & Stevens

Pozen, Gold & Stevens. Pozen, Gold & Stevens is a prominent American law firm renowned for its high-stakes litigation and sophisticated corporate advisory work. Founded in the late 1980s, the firm has cultivated a reputation for representing major financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and individuals in complex legal disputes and transactions. Its attorneys are frequently involved in landmark cases that shape regulatory landscapes and legal precedent, particularly in the realms of securities law and federal courts.

History

The firm was established in 1987 in New York City by Robert Pozen, Martin Gold, and Eleanor Stevens, all former partners at leading Wall Street firms. Its formation coincided with a period of significant financial deregulation and the rise of the leveraged buyout, creating demand for aggressive legal counsel. The firm weathered early challenges, including the savings and loan crisis and the 1990s recession, by building a niche in financial services litigation. A major turning point came in the mid-1990s when it successfully defended Morgan Stanley in a high-profile Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, cementing its credibility. Subsequent expansion included opening offices in Washington, D.C. to handle regulatory compliance matters, and in London following the Financial crisis of 2007–2008.

Notable cases

The firm's docket is replete with precedent-setting matters. It represented a consortium of investment banks in the landmark *Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Broudo* litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States, which clarified standards for securities fraud. In the aftermath of the Enron scandal, attorneys defended a major auditing firm against class action lawsuits brought by the University of California regents. The firm also secured a pivotal victory for Goldman Sachs in arbitration concerning credit default swap disputes stemming from the collapse of Lehman Brothers. More recently, it guided Pfizer through the complex antitrust review of its multi-billion dollar acquisition of Wyeth, and successfully argued before the Second Circuit in a case defining the scope of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Legal practice and specialties

Pozen, Gold & Stevens is organized around core practice groups noted for their depth and interdisciplinary approach. Its corporate governance group advises boards of directors at companies like ExxonMobil and General Electric on fiduciary duty and shareholder activism. The securities litigation practice is a national leader, routinely defending against suits initiated by the SEC and private plaintiffs. The mergers and acquisitions team is particularly active in the technology and healthcare sectors, having worked on transactions for IBM and Johnson & Johnson. A dedicated white-collar defense group, staffed by former Assistant U.S. Attorneys, handles investigations by the Department of Justice and other agencies.

Partners and key personnel

The firm's leadership and reputation are driven by its partners. Founding partner Robert Pozen is a noted authority on mutual fund regulation and formerly chaired MFS Investment Management. Martin Gold, an expert in appellate advocacy, has argued numerous cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Senior partner Cynthia Vance, former chief of the Criminal Division in the Southern District of New York, leads the anti-money laundering practice. Other prominent figures include David Chen, head of the Asia-Pacific practice in Hong Kong, and Sarah Bloom, a former counsel to the Senate Banking Committee who chairs the financial regulation group in Washington, D.C..

Impact and recognition

The firm's influence extends beyond client representation into legal scholarship and policy. Its attorneys regularly testify before Congress and publish in journals like the Yale Law Journal. The firm is consistently ranked in the top tiers of Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for its securities and M&A practices. It has been recognized by The American Lawyer for its pro bono work, including representation of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in voting rights cases. The "Pozen Fellowship" at Harvard Law School, endowed by the firm, supports graduates pursuing careers in public interest law, reflecting its commitment to the broader legal community.

Category:Law firms established in 1987 Category:Law firms based in New York City