650.328.9500
Resolution That Protects More Than the Bottom Line
In high-stakes securities and mass tort disputes, what’s at risk isn’t just money — it’s reputation, insurance coverage and business continuity.
FedArb is a trusted partner with nationally recognized litigators who bring deep experience in securities enforcement, complex litigation and insurance recovery. Our panelists help parties assess strength and weakness of legal arguments, shape strategy and resolve matters before costs escalate or momentum is lost.
Specializing in High-Stakes Securities and Mass Tort Disputes
FedArb offers what sophisticated litigants need in complex securities and mass tort matters: elite legal expertise, institutional trust and deep fluency in insurance and funding dynamics — all delivered through confidential and results-driven processes.
Unmatched Panel Quality
FedArb’s neutrals are former federal judges or senior litigators with experience overseeing or handling complex securities matters — including class and derivative actions, insider trading cases and regulatory investigations involving the SEC and DOJ.
Credibility with Institutional Parties
Our panelists are trusted by insurers, Fortune 500 companies, underwriters and leading plaintiffs’ firms. They understand D&O coverage considerations, loss allocation and the dynamics of parallel investigations.
Experience with Insurance Carriers and Litigation Funders
Our panelists understand the intricacies of Side A and Side B coverage. They are also experienced in dealing with the dynamics of towered insurance programs and litigation funders.
Confidential and Enforceable
FedArb proceedings keeps sensitive issues out of the headlines and are designed for enforceability across jurisdictions.
Proven Experience Across the Full Financial Litigation Spectrum
FedArb panelists have resolved thousands of high-profile disputes involving the world’s largest investment banks, securities firms, commercial banks, institutional investors, hedge funds and private equity firms.
These matters span:
Securities Litigation — Class and Derivative Actions
Disputes involving public and private offerings, including alleged misstatements in disclosures or filings.
Institutional Lending and Credit Support
Claims between large financial institutions, borrowers, guarantors and insurers, including transactional liability issues such as reps & warranties.
Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights
Disputes involving creditors, bondholders and shareholders — including avoidance actions and preference claims.
Complex Financial Products
Matters involving derivatives, swaps and other sophisticated instruments sold to institutions, municipalities or individuals.
Mass Torts
Coordinated claims involving large-scale consumer or investor harm, including toxic torts and product liability.
Consumer Financial Practices and Class Actions
Cases involving bank deposits, mortgage servicing and foreclosure, securitizations and related consumer claims.
Antitrust in Financial Services
Allegations of anti-competitive conduct in the marketing or sale of financial products like credit cards and investment services.
Leaders in Resolving Complex Securities and Mass Tort Disputes
Our practice leaders
David W. Ichel, Esq.
David spent 37 years at Simpson Thacher, where he led complex securities, mass tort and financial services litigation. His experience includes RMBS fraud, bond disputes and class actions against financial institutions. He also handled mass tort and product liability claims and is frequently called on to resolve coverage and R&W issues. A Chambers-ranked neutral, he teaches Complex Civil Litigation at Duke Law School.
Tracy A. Nichols, Esq.
A Chambers-ranked securities litigation expert, Tracy brings nearly 40 years of experience handling shareholder class actions, derivative suits, SEC enforcement matters and M&A disputes — including R&W insurance claims. She founded and led the securities litigation practice at Holland & Knight, successfully defending companies and their directors in some of the most complex financial disputes in the country.
David J. Sorkin, Esq.
David brings deep expertise in securities, private equity, and M&A matters, with over 16 years as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at KKR and earlier experience as a partner at Simpson Thacher. He has overseen landmark transactions, including LBOs and Fortune 50 mergers, and now focuses on resolving complex disputes involving financial services, insurance, and deal-related claims. He also teaches at Harvard Law School, where he co-directs the Transactional Law Workshop.
Steven M. Schatz, Esq.
Steven Schatz spent nearly 40 years as a senior partner at Wilson Sonsini, where he led more than 175 securities class actions, derivative suits and M&A-related disputes. He has defended companies and executives in high-profile SEC and DOJ investigations and argued more than 30 appeals in federal and state courts. Earlier in his career, Mr. Schatz served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, focusing on securities fraud prosecutions. His litigation experience spans financial fraud, accounting irregularities, fiduciary duty claims and contested mergers.
FAQs
FedArb neutrals are experienced in resolving securities class actions, derivative suits, SEC enforcement matters and disputes involving public and private offerings, alleged misstatements and insider trading. We also assist with shareholder litigation related to mergers, fiduciary duties and complex financial products.
Our panelists help parties navigate coordinated mass injury claims including product liability, toxic torts and investor class actions. Through mediation, neutral evaluation and mock proceedings, we help clarify exposure, streamline discovery and encourage resolution before trial.
Mock hearings and ENEs provide strategic insight into how judges or arbitrators might assess dispositive motions, case value or legal arguments — allowing parties to adjust strategy or settle early. These tools are especially valuable in securities and mass tort disputes where stakes are high and litigation costs compound quickly.
Yes. Our panelists regularly work with Side A and B D&O coverage issues, towered insurance structures and litigation funding. We understand how coverage and funding impact resolution strategy, particularly in large-scale securities and mass tort cases.
FedArb stands apart for its unmatched panel quality and case management. Our neutrals include former federal judges and senior litigators with deep experience in securities and mass tort matters — from class actions and insider trading cases to SEC investigations and D&O coverage disputes. We offer 24/7 responsiveness, enforce deadlines firmly, and provide the structure and insight that sophisticated litigants rely on to move complex cases forward efficiently.
Yes. All FedArb proceedings — whether mediation, neutral evaluation or mock exercises — are private by default, protecting sensitive financial, reputational or regulatory information.
Absolutely. Many of our panelists have significant experience resolving R&W-related claims, both from the coverage and underlying transaction perspective. This includes M&A-related shareholder litigation and post-acquisition disputes.
FedArb has a national panel with coverage across major legal markets. All services — including mediations, early neutral evaluations and mock proceedings — are available virtually or in person based on client needs.