Washington, D.C. – Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP, a global leader in complex litigation and investor and consumer protection, announces the launch of its Whistleblower Representation Practice, led by former SEC Acting Chair and Commissioner Allison Herren Lee and former SEC Senior Counsel Andrew Feller. 

“Establishing a dedicated whistleblower practice is a natural extension of our mission to protect investors, promote corporate accountability, and strengthen the integrity of the financial markets,” said Eric J. Belfi, Chairman of Labaton Keller Sucharow.  “Allison and Andrew have helped shape the SEC’s enforcement priorities and whistleblower framework from the inside.  Combined with our decades of experience investigating complex fraud and litigating high-stakes matters, we are creating one of the nation’s premier practices for whistleblowers seeking trusted counsel and exceptional advocacy.”

Labaton’s Whistleblower Representation Practice will advise individuals through every stage of the whistleblower process before the SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Department of Justice, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Internal Revenue Service, and other federal enforcement authorities.  From evaluating potential claims and preparing confidential submissions to pursuing whistleblower awards through the government whistleblower programs, safeguarding confidentiality and anti-retaliation rights, and strategically engaging with government investigators, the Practice will provide comprehensive representation designed to protect clients’ interests while maximizing the impact of their disclosures.

Allison Herren Lee served as an SEC Commissioner beginning in 2019 and was appointed Acting Chair of the Commission in 2021.  During her tenure, she championed stronger whistleblower protections, greater individual accountability for securities law violations, enhanced market transparency, and elevated the Commission's focus on corporate governance.  With more than two decades of experience in securities law, Ms. Lee has represented whistleblowers in matters involving securities, commodities, banking, capital markets violations, accounting, and financial reporting.  As the only former SEC Commissioner and Acting Chair now representing whistleblowers in private practice, she brings rare perspective on how enforcement decisions are made and how whistleblower submissions are evaluated.

“Whistleblowers play an indispensable role in protecting investors and preserving confidence in our markets,” said Lee.  “Now more than ever, individuals who come forward need experienced advocates who understand both the regulatory process and the significant personal risks involved.  Labaton’s reputation for excellence in handling high-stakes matters makes it the ideal platform to advocate for whistleblowers.  I’m excited to build this practice and give them the resources and unwavering advocacy they deserve.”

Andrew Feller brings more than 25 years of legal experience, including 15 years with the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, where he served as Senior Counsel. He also served as Principal Enforcement Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to Commissioner Lee and was a founding member of the SEC’s Complex Financial Instruments Unit.  Throughout his career, Mr. Feller has advised on sophisticated enforcement matters involving the Securities Exchange Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, market structure, and regulatory investigations.  During his SEC career, he helped lead investigations involving some of the most sophisticated financial products and market participants.

“Having spent much of my career investigating complex securities violations and working alongside regulators, I’ve seen firsthand how whistleblowers uncover misconduct that might otherwise go undetected,” said Feller.  “Robust whistleblower programs benefit everyone—individuals who come forward, investors, honest companies, and the integrity of our financial markets.  We look forward to helping individuals safely report misconduct while supporting effective enforcement.”

The new practice builds upon Labaton's decades of experience investigating complex financial misconduct, representing institutional investors in some of the nation's largest securities fraud matters, and analyzing corporate governance failures.  That investigative and litigation expertise provides whistleblowers with strategic advantages throughout the reporting process and, when necessary, subsequent litigation.  The practice will also advise whistleblowers on cross-border matters involving multinational companies and parallel investigations by U.S. and international regulators.

“Effective whistleblower representation requires more than an understanding of the law—it requires insight into how enforcement investigations unfold and how to position clients for the best possible outcomes from day one,” added Belfi.  “With Allison and Andrew joining the Firm, Labaton offers an unmatched combination of regulatory leadership, investigative expertise, and courtroom excellence.”