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Jonathan T. Shepard

Jonathan T. Shepard is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Group and Co-Chair of the Investment Management Group. He represents clients across a broad spectrum of complex legal and business litigation matters, including those in the areas of hedge funds and private equity funds, securities, bankruptcy, intellectual property and general commercial litigation. Jonathan has successfully tried cases in both federal and state courts across the country and handled complex AAA, JAMS and FINRA arbitration proceedings. 

Jonathan was recently selected as a "Rising Star" in Business Litigation by New York Super Lawyers in 2011 and 2012, a distinct honor given to only 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state. He was also selected as a National Finalist in 2011 and 2012 for the Top 40 Investment Management Professionals Under 40 by M&A Advisor.

Jonathan has significantly developed the firm’s Investment Management Group, representing some of the leading global hedge funds and private equity firms (with assets under management of more than $29 billion) as well as entrepreneurial start-ups. He regularly represents such clients in connection with litigation and bankruptcy proceedings and advises them on the formation and operation of all types of alternative investment vehicles, including hedge funds, funds-of-funds, venture capital funds, private equity funds and private real estate funds. His experience includes representing:

• A group of investment funds in a multimillion dollar Chapter 11 bankruptcy adversary proceeding against debtor investment fund and Committee of Equity Security Holders in a precedent-setting case for the industry concerning the treatment of effective investor redemptions
• Multiple leading global investment funds in a $25 million dollar breach of contract action concerning senior subordinated convertible note obligations
• A major investment fund in a multimillion dollar breach of contract AAA arbitration against a trader in connection with the operation of an options trading account
• An investment fund in bankruptcy adversary proceedings arising out of the Bayou Group's Ponzi scheme
• Several investment funds in an SEC enforcement action in connection with the fraud committed by Thomas Petters
• A group of investment funds in an action commenced by a chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee concerning alleged preferential and fraudulent transfers
• One of the largest global institutional alternative asset management firms in a trademark infringement action

Jonathan has also successfully handled numerous complex commercial, securities, real estate development, construction, bankruptcy and intellectual property litigation matters.  His representative experience in those areas includes:

• Successfully obtained precedential summary judgement ruling for leading construction company and global insurance company, dismissing over $4 million in claims made by a subcontractor in connection with a major NYC construction project
• Successfully defended a publicly traded specialty pharmaceutical company in a multimillion dollar breach of contract arbitration against a major banking and financial institution; obtained a dismissal of all claims against the client
• Second-chair of trial team that obtained a favorable post-trial settlement for indenture trustee in Chapter 7 bankruptcy adversary proceeding concerning complex collateralized note-obligations; one of the first sub-prime bankruptcies
• Successfully defended a major international publicly-traded telecommunications company in a multimillion dollar breach of contract arbitration in connection with the construction of its fiber network
• Successfully defended an international real estate development company in a federal court breach of contract action in connection with the construction of a luxury residential building in Manhattan
• Represented a famous radio personality and agent in a multimillion dollar breach of contract action against a leading television network in which a favorable settlement was reached prior to trial
• Represented a famous recording artist, global media company, major record label and film director in a trademark and trade dress infringement action brought by a motorcycle daredevil legend; a favorable settlement was reached prior to trial

Jonathan is a 2001 cum laude graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, where he was an Articles Editor of the Syracuse Law Review, a Dean’s Scholarship Recipient and a member of the Justinian Honorary Law Society. He was awarded honors of excellence in the areas of Appellate Advocacy and Legal Research and Writing.

Previous Positions

• Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Associate (2001-05)
• U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of New York, Extern (1999-2000)

Publications

• Co-Author (with Bertrand Fry and Jill Braibanti), JOBS Act Lifts the General Solicitation Prohibition and Increases the Record Holder Threshold for Private Investment Funds, Pryor Cashman Legal Update (April 2012)
• Co-Author (with Jacob Radcliff), The Financial Regulatory Reform Legislation:  What’s In, What’s Out and What’s Next, Pryor Cashman Legal Update and streetinsider.com (June 2010)
• Co-author, Insurance Litigation Chapter in Haig Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts, Practitioners Series

Professional Affiliations

• New York County Lawyers Association Chapter of the American Inn of Courts, Member
• New York State Bar Association, Member

Distinctions

• Named by M&A Advisor as finalist for top 40 M&A Lawyers Under 40 Recognition Award (2011 and 2012 editions)
• Named a “Rising Star” in Business Litigation by New York Super Lawyers – Metro Edition magazine (2011 and 2012 editions)

Other Activities

• Providence College Alumni Association