Jack is Co-chair of the Securities Litigation Practice and a seasoned trial lawyer whose clients include public and private corporations, officers, directors, special committees, accountants, mutual funds, portfolio managers, and investment advisors. His practice encompasses all facets of securities and financial fraud litigation, and he has handled complex civil and criminal matters involving insider trading, revenue recognition, high-yield investment schemes, market timing, late trading, options backdating, and securities. In addition, he frequently represents clients in connection with internal investigations and investigative and enforcement proceedings conducted by the SEC, FINRA, and state regulatory agencies. His clients range from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups in the life sciences, retail & consumer goods and technology space. Jack also leverages his extensive background in securities litigation and M&A litigation to counsel companies on risks related to SPAC transactions and litigation avoidance.
In addition to his trial experience, Jack also has represented clients in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, including proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and FINRA.
Experience
- Jury acquittal for a CEO client charged with criminal tax evasion arising from an options backdating investigation.
- Represented Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a decision crystalizing the standard required to plead scienter in securities fraud cases in the First Circuit.
- Retained as trial counsel to defend former CFO of a two-and-a-half billion-dollar NYSE-listed company based in China, in a securities class action trial relating to the company's 2011 financial collapse. Secured a favorable trial verdict and resulting settlement that required no monetary payment from the CFO.
- Represented the Orchid Cellmark board in connection with shareholder derivative litigation alleging breach of fiduciary duty in connection with a merger transaction, defeating plaintiffs’ attempt to enjoin the transaction, resulting in the merger closing on schedule.
- Represented former officers and directors of The Learning Co. (TLC) in a shareholder class action alleging violation of Section 11 of the '33 Act brought by former shareholders of Broderbund, Inc., a company previously acquired by TLC, securing a dismissal in the trail court and an affirmance in the Ninth Circuit.
- Defended a public pharmaceutical company and its officers against Section 10(b) and Section 11 claims arising out of a secondary public offering, successfully obtaining a dismissal of all counts.
- Successfully represented a technology company and the company’s officers and directors against allegations of securities fraud.
- Favorable post-trial decision in Delaware Court of Chancery for corporate and individual clients charged with breaches of fiduciary duties.
- Defense jury verdict for corporate officers charged with violation of Section 10(b) in connection with the purchase of convertible-preferred securities.
- Represented iBasis, Inc. and its officers and directors in a shareholder derivative action alleging breach of fiduciary duty and violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, arising out of alleged stock options “backdating” and improper accounting attendant thereto, prevailing on a motion to dismiss.
Case Studies
Case Study
viewpoints
Minimizing Stockholder Litigation Risks
February 18, 2022 | Blog
In 2021, approximately on quarter of all federal securities fraud class action lawsuits filed nationwide were against life sciences companies and their officers and directors. These considerations are for directors and officers of life sciences companies looking to manage disclosures and mitigate risk before a suit ever gets filed.
Court Issues Highly Anticipated Decision Regarding the Treatment of SPAC Sponsors and Directors
January 10, 2022 | Blog | By John Sylvia, Patrick E. McDonough
Webinar Recording: When the Dust Settles: A Closer Look at the SPAC Boom and Potential Litigation to Follow
June 7, 2021 | Webinar | By Nancy Adams, John Sylvia
SEC Discloses Its Recommendations on Key Issues for Private Companies Weighing SPAC Transactions
April 2, 2021 | Blog | By Thomas R. Burton, III, John Sylvia, Sahir Surmeli, Patrick E. McDonough
2021’s Continued SPAC Boom Invites Heightened SEC Scrutiny of SPAC Transactions
March 26, 2021 | Blog | By Thomas Burton, John Sylvia, Sahir Surmeli, Patrick E. McDonough
Supreme Court of Delaware Overturns Court of Chancery, Allowing Corporations To Enact Federal Forum Provisions to Keep Securities Act Claims In Federal Court
March 20, 2020 | Blog | By John Sylvia, Patrick E. McDonough, Ellen Shapiro
Issuers Face Changing Litigation Landscape, Challenges Due to Supreme Court Ruling
March 22, 2018 | Alert | By John Sylvia
Insider Trading: Lessons from the Mark Cuban Jury Verdict
October 18, 2013 | Blog | By John Sylvia, Chip Phinney
Chancellor Strine Issues Important Decision Validating Board Adoption of Forum Selection Clause in Bylaws
July 3, 2013 | Alert | By John Sylvia
News & Press
23 Mintz Attorneys Named to Boston Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” List
November 22, 2024
23 Mintz attorneys have been named to Boston Magazine’s 2024 “Top Lawyers” list.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 31 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 35 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2024.
Thirteen Mintz attorneys named to Lawdragon’s 2025 “Leading Litigators in America” list
September 12, 2024
Thirteen Mintz attorneys have been named to Lawdragon’s 2025 “Leading Litigators in America.” The list honors the “best litigators the US has to offer – in antitrust, intellectual property, white collar and investigations, securities and corporate governance litigation, and a vast array of class actions, product liability and other complex civil litigation,” according to the publication.
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Runners-Up and Shout-Outs From Before the 4th
July 9, 2024
Mintz announced today that 42 of its practices and 83 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms. Of those included in the guide, 18 attorneys and seven practice areas were awarded Chambers’ highest ranking, Band 1. The firm obtained new listings in three practice areas and 10 of its lawyers were recognized for the first time.
Thomson Reuters Recognizes 10 Mintz Attorneys as “Stand-out Lawyers”
February 20, 2024
Mintz is pleased to share 10 attorneys have been named by their clients as Thomson Reuters “Stand-out Lawyers.”
Twenty-Five Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 21, 2023
BOSTON – Twenty-five Mintz attorneys have been named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
Mintz Appoints Doug Baumstein as Securities Litigation Co-chair
November 14, 2023
NEW YORK – Mintz has appointed Douglas Baumstein as Co-chair of the firm’s Securities Litigation practice with immediate effect. He joins existing Co-chair, John Sylvia.
Fifty-Nine Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 12, 2023
Mintz is pleased to announce that 32 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 27 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2023.
Thirteen Mintz Members Named To Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators List
September 11, 2023
Mintz is pleased to announce that thirtneen Members have been named to Lawdragon's 500 Leading Litigators in America list, which honors the nation’s most elite courtroom advocates.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.
BOSTON –Mintz announced today that 39 of its practices and 81 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms.
Twenty-Eight Mintz Attorneys Named To Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List
November 22, 2022
In its second annual edition, 28 Mintz attorneys were named to Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
35 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 25 Mintz attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2022.
Twelve Mintz Members have been named to the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America list, which honors the nation’s most elite courtroom advocates.
Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Roundtable: Shareholder Disputes
June 16, 2021
SPAC Lawsuits Surge Over Disclosure Claims
June 10, 2021
Mintz Publishes In-Depth Report Breaking Down the SPAC Surge
March 19, 2021
How A PR Error Might Absolve Kodak Of Insider Trading Charges
August 16, 2020
Mintz Recognized by Chambers USA 2019
April 26, 2019
INSIGHT: Climate Change Based Securities Litigation: A Reminder of Risks to Executives in PSLRA Cases
September 14, 2018
F-Squared Was Wrong Test Case For SEC Disgorgement
August 28, 2018
Chambers USA 2018 Ranks Mintz Attorneys & Practices
May 03, 2018
SEC to Face More Pressure on Enforcement Forum Choices
December 1, 2016
Future is cloudy for Dodd-Frank and financial regulatory agencies under Trump presidency
November 30, 2016
Trump’s SEC Likely To Shrink Back Where White’s Expanded
November 16, 2016
Eighty-Four Mintz Attorneys Named 2016 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 18, 2016
Clarity the Big Wish in Insider Trading Case
October 7, 2016
Mintz Prevails Over SEC in Closely-Watched First Circuit Case
December 11, 2015
Events & Speaking
When the Dust Settles: A Closer Look at The SPAC Boom and Potential Litigation to Follow
Mintz
Webinar
Hot Topics and Trends in D&O Coverage and Liability
PLUS
John J. Moakley Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way, Boston, MA
Mintz and Grant Thornton Present a Multitopic CLE Workshop
Grant Thornton 757 3rd Avenue and 47th Street New York, NY
Recognition & Awards
Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Securities Litigation (2006, 2010 – 2024)
Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Securities (2018 – 2025)
Chambers USA: Massachusetts - Litigation: Securities (2011 – 2024)
Lawdragon: "500 Leading Litigators in America" (2022-2025)
Boston Magazine Top Lawyers – Securities Law (2022-2024)
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Business Today News: Top 10 Prominent Securities Litigation Lawyers Shaping Massachusetts in 2023
Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers (2024)
Recent Insights
23 Mintz attorneys have been named to Boston Magazine’s 2024 “Top Lawyers” list.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 31 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 35 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2024.
Thirteen Mintz attorneys have been named to Lawdragon’s 2025 “Leading Litigators in America.” The list honors the “best litigators the US has to offer – in antitrust, intellectual property, white collar and investigations, securities and corporate governance litigation, and a vast array of class actions, product liability and other complex civil litigation,” according to the publication.
