Practice: Securities Fraud
Email: aapton@zlk.com
Adam M. Apton focuses his practice on investor protection. He represents institutional investors and high net worth individuals in securities fraud, corporate governance, and shareholder rights litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Apton defended corporate clients against complex mass tort, commercial, and products liability lawsuits. Thomson Reuters has selected Mr. Apton to the Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list every year since 2016, a distinction given to only the top 2.5% of lawyers. He has also been awarded membership to the prestigious Lawyers of Distinction for his excellence in the practice of law and named to the “Lawdragon 500 X” list out of thousands of candidates in recognition of his place at the forefront of the legal profession.
Education
- New York Law School, J.D., cum laude (2009), where he served as Articles Editor of the New York Law School Law Review and interned for the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division
- University of Minnesota, B.A., Entrepreneurial Management & Psychology, With Distinction (2006)
Admissions
- New York (2010)
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (2010)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (2010)
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2015)
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (2016)
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (2016)
- California (2017)
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California (2017)
- United States District Court for the Central District of California (2017)
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California (2017)
- New Jersey (2020)
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (2020)
Publications
- “Pleading Section 11 Liability for Secondary Offerings” American Bar Association: Practice Points (Jan. 4, 2017)
- “Second Circuit Rules in Indiana Public Retirement System v. SAIC, Inc.” American Bar Association: Practice Points (Apr. 4, 2016)
- “Second Circuit Applies Omnicare to Statements of Opinion in Sanofi” American Bar Association: Practice Points (Mar. 30, 2016)
- “Second Circuit Rules in Action AG v. China North” American Bar Association: Practice Points (Sept. 14, 2015)
Notable Cases
- In re Tesla, Inc. Securities Litigation, 3:18-cv-04865-EMC (N.D. Cal.) (lead counsel in class action representing Tesla investors who were harmed by Elon Musk’s “funding secured” tweet from August 7, 2018)
- In re Navient Corp. Securities Litigation, 17-8373 (RBK/AMD) (D.N.J.) (lead counsel in class action against leading provider of student loans for alleged false and misleading statements about compliance with consumer protection laws)
- In re Prothena Corporation Plc Securities Litigation, 1:18-cv-06425-ALC (S.D.N.Y.) ($15.75 million settlement fund against international drug company for false statements about development of lead biopharmaceutical product)
- Martin v. Altisource Residential Corporation, et al., 15-00024 (AET) (GWC) (D.V.I.) ($15. 5 million settlement fund against residential mortgage company for false statements about compliance with consumer regulations and corporate governance protocols)
- Levin v. Resource Capital Corp., et al., 1:15-cv-07081-LLS (S.D.N.Y.) ($9.5 million settlement in class action over fraudulent statements about toxic mezzanine loan assets)
- Rux v. Meyer (Sirius XM Holdings Inc.), No. 11577 (Del. Ch.) (recovery of $8.25 million against SiriusXM’s Board of Directors for engaging in harmful related-party transactions with controlling stockholder, John. C. Malone and Liberty Media Corp.)