Steve LaRose is the practice group co-leader of Complex Commercial Disputes and deputy chair of the Private Fund Disputes team. He is a skilled commercial litigator who works with clients to resolve their business problems, particularly in defense of SEC investigations, and in disputes amongst parties in the areas of private equity and hedge funds, the securities laws, corporate governance, partnerships, tax credit investments and financial services.
Whether in large corporations, financial institutions, partnerships or closely held corporations, disputes continue to arise over corporate governance, fiduciary concerns, alleged violations of the U.S. securities laws and corporate control matters. I regularly represent businesses and individuals in front of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as state securities regulatory bodies. I am currently involved in defense of a number of actions asserted against clients by the SEC involving alleged disclosure issues in municipal bond offerings.
I represent private equity funds, hedge funds and managers and institutional investors to resolve disputes concerning fund management, compliance issues, redemptions and valuation matters. I am currently handling a matter involving the proper attribution of carried interests in a fund.
More and more, I see a trend involving private equity funds’ involvement in disputes at the operating company level, generally over management of the operating company or its dealings with third parties. Recently, I defended a private fund sued in its capacity as decision maker for one of its portfolio companies. Similarly, the SEC continues to be active in this space, paying particular attention to private equity firms’ methods of receiving fees.
I work with the firm’s first-in-class Tax Credit Syndication group, and I help clients protect their tax credit investments by resolving disputes between partners, working out problems at the operating partnership level and attending to tax credit compliance issues.
While the new administration has preached less regulation, I continue to see aggressive enforcement efforts by the SEC, with an emphasis on perceived failures in disclosure materials and heightened concern for the amount and type of fees that managers collect.
Bloomberg Radio | December 10, 2020
Complex Commercial Disputes co-leader and Boston partner Steve LaRose joined the “Baystate Business“ radio program Thursday to discuss the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision concerning Governor Baker’s power to limit business activity during the pandemic.
Law360 | July 24, 2020
Complex Commercial Disputes co-practice group leader and Boston partner Steve LaRose and Manchester associate Kierstan Schultz were mentioned in this article for representing Aetna in a suit regarding coverage for medical device manufacturer Conformis’ customized total knee implants.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly | July 25, 2019
This roundup of personnel moves in the area’s legal scene highlights the promotion of Boston Complex Commercial Disputes partner Stephen LaRose to co-leader of the practice group.
The Boston Globe | June 13, 2019
In the following coverage, Boston Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly is quoted regarding the favorable District Court decision for NP’s client, a Wells Fargo banker cleared of charges related to his role in the bond transaction for 38 Studios.
American Lawyer “Litigation Daily” | June 13, 2019
Boston Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly is quoted regarding the favorable District Court decision for NP’s client, a Wells Fargo banker cleared of charges related to his role in the bond transaction for 38 Studios.
The Bond Buyer | June 12, 2019
In the following coverage, Boston Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly is quoted regarding the favorable district court decision for Nixon Peabody’s client, a Wells Fargo banker cleared of charges related to his role in the bond transaction for 38 Studios. The team on this matter also included partners Kathleen Ceglarski Burns, Stephen LaRose and Steven Richard, associate Charles Dell’Anno and paralegal Kanda Faye.
The Providence Journal | June 12, 2019
In the following coverage, Boston Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly is quoted regarding the favorable District Court decision for NP’s client, a Wells Fargo banker cleared of charges related to his role in the bond transaction for 38 Studios. The NP team on this matter also included partners Kathleen Ceglarski Burns, Stephen LaRose and Steven Richard, associate Charles Dell’Anno and paralegal Kanda Faye.
George Washington University Law School, J.D.
Villanova University, B.A.
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Stephen was selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 in the field of Commercial Litigation. Stephen has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2018.