Coblentz is proud to sponsor the 30th Anniversary American Heart Association Celebrate With Heart Gala on February 27, 2014. Celebrate with Heart is an annual winemakers’ supper featuring 35 of Wine Country’s best wineries, and benefits critical research necessary for the American Heart Association to accomplish their mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Tim Crudo is highlighted in “Coblentz Patch Snags Ex-Latham & Watkins Partner” by Kurt Orzeck, Law360
“Law360, Los Angeles (February 07, 2014, 6:09 PM ET) — Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP has recruited a trial lawyer who formerly served as a Latham & Watkins LLP partner and an assistant U.S. attorney to head its white collar defense and government enforcement practice, the firm said Thursday.
Timothy P. Crudo, who joins Coblentz Patch’s San Francisco office, has deep criminal and civil jury, bench and arbitration experience that encompasses multiple major white collar and corporate fraud criminal trials, according to Coblentz Patch.
Crudo has represented a wide range of clients in white collar, securities, trade regulation, unfair competition and corporate governance investigations and cases brought by criminal prosecutors, government regulators and shareholders, according to the firm. He has also represented corporations, boards of directors and their committees and individuals in industries encompassing banking and financial services, audit and accounting, communications, life sciences, clean technology, the Internet and the automotive industry, Coblentz Patch said.
“Along with our existing team, [Crudo] will allow us to continue to provide our clients with the full range of top-flight services needed in this era of increased government regulation and enforcement,” Jeffrey Knowles, co-managing partner and co-leader of the firm’s litigation practice.
“I am thrilled to join Coblentz and work with the top-caliber lawyers here,” Crudo said. “The firm has a terrific history of outstanding lawyers and community service, and I look forward to continuing to build the white collar and regulatory enforcement practice at Coblentz.”
Crudo, a San Francisco native, worked in the securities fraud section of the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of California from 2003 to 2009. During the last year, he served as chief of the section.
While at the U.S. Department of Justice office, he investigated, prosecuted and tried white collar and securities fraud crimes such as complex accounting fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, investment fraud and bankruptcy fraud cases.
Crudo’s career case highlights include being the lead trial lawyer in the U.S.’s first two stock option backdating trials, the trials of a Fortune 50 company executive in an accounting fraud case and the investment fraud trial of one of the largest real estate developers in Northern California, according to Coblentz Patch.
He also served as lead trial lawyer in a $100 million Ponzi scheme operated by the owner of a major sports franchise, and in insider trading investigations stemming from the acquisition of a large financial institution and conduct at a major global private investment firm.
. . .
–Editing by Stephen Berg.”
Timothy Crudo is highlighted in “Longtime Latham defense attorney leaves for Coblentz” by David Ruiz, Daily Journal
San Francisco-based Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP added seasoned trial attorney Timothy P. Crudo to head the firm’s white collar defense and government enforcement practice, the firm said Thursday. Crudo joins Coblentz Patch from the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins LLP – a location he helped start in 1990.
. . .
From 2003 to 2009, Crudo served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the securities fraud section for the Northern District of California, rising to become chief of the department in 2007. Crudo said he tried nine cases during his tenure – more than anyone at the office at the time.
Notably, he served as lead trial lawyer in the nation’s first stock option backdating case to go to trial. In August 2007, former Brocade Communications Systems Inc. chief executive officer Gregory Reyes was convicted by a jury on 10 counts of illegally backdating stock options and defrauding investors. In the following January, Reyes was sentenced to 21 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles S. Breyer, incidentally a Coblentz Patch alumnus.
“Tim Crudo follows in the footsteps of some very important white collar practitioners, all of whom are on the federal bench,” said San Francisco-based K&L Gates LLP partner Jeffrey L. Bornstein, another former federal prosecutor. “Judge Breyer and Magistrate Judges Spero and Corley were all partners at the Coblentz firm. Tim is a worthy successor to their legacy.”
Coblentz Patch co-managing partner Jeffrey G. Knowles said the firm has been looking for someone to lead the white collar defense practice ever since Breyer left the firm in 1997. He said the firm had spoken to several candidates for many years, but nobody fit the role well.
“But then Tim appeared on the market and he’s terrific,” Knowles said. “In addition to having the deep and broad expertise in the white collar subject area and terrific trial experience, he fits really well with our culture, too.”
. . .
Timothy Crudo is highlighted in “Former Federal Prosecutor Jumps to Coblentz” by Nathalie Pierrepont, The Recorder
“SAN FRANCISCO — After building his career at Latham & Watkins, Timothy Crudo has jumped to Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass as head of the firm’s white collar defense and government enforcement practice.
Crudo, a former federal prosecutor, joined Coblentz earlier this week. The firm’s smaller size—about 80 lawyers—and its deep roots in San Francisco were a draw, he said.
“Rather than being one of 50 white collar lawyers, I can be one of a couple to really grow a practice,” he said.
. . .
“Tim Crudo is a talented lawyer, a great friend and, like the Coblentz firm, a San Francisco institution,” Steven Bauer, global co-chair of Latham’s white collar defense and investigations practice said in a statement. “We wish him the very best.”
Crudo, a third generation San Franciscan, said he is already working on some matters at Coblentz but plans to tap into his network to bring in business. “Building a practice involves rolling up the sleeves and trying to grow what I have and we have already,” he said.”
Richard Patch is noted in the Law360 article “In-House Counsel Name Client-Friendly Litigators” by Juan Carlos Rodriguez
“Law360, New York (February 03, 2014, 7:56 PM ET) — Nearly 100 litigators were chosen by corporate counsel as being the most client-friendly thanks to their commitment to understanding business’ needs and goals and finding the right solution to problems that can seem to have many possible answers.
The litigation specialists were among 330 lawyers nominated by their clients in the 2014 BTI Client Service All-Stars report from The BTI Consulting Group Inc.
BTI president Michael Rynowecer said the winning attorneys were recognized by their corporate counterparts for their client focus, innovation, business competency, value provided, legal skills and ability to get good results.
“What really stands out in litigation is clients are looking for flexibility and understanding,” Rynowecer said. “Clients are trying to settle more cases and manage these matters and cases before they ever get to trial.”
He said the all-star litigators have a deep understanding that many clients now want to now get rid of lawsuits instead of try them, and have the wherewithal to act accordingly. . . .
. . . litigators singled out by general counsel for stellar client service include . . . Richard Patch of Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP.
–Additional reporting by Jake Simpson. Editing by Rebecca Flanagan.”
Richard Patch has been named among the best litigators for client service by corporate counsel in BTI’s 2014 Client Service All-Star list.
The annual list, developed by The BTI Consulting Group Inc., is based on direct feedback from general counsel of Fortune 1000 companies recognizing attorneys around the country for their dedication to client service. These lawyers were chosen by corporate counsel for being the most client-friendly due to their commitment to understanding business’ needs and goals and finding the right solution to problems that can seem to have many possible answers.
Patch is one of 142 litigators selected nationally, among only 22 litigators in California, and one of only a handful in a mid-sized firm. As a senior trial and appellate lawyer, Patch is widely regarded as one of the leading cable, satellite and telecommunications lawyers in the country.
“I am honored to have been listed among such other outstanding all-star litigators, especially for recognition in client service, a hallmark of the Coblentz firm’s philosophy and culture. We pride ourselves on providing comparable skills and experience to large, international law firms, yet we deliver focused client service and a creative approach to each case at a better value,” said Richard Patch.
Click here to read the press release.
Coblentz is pleased to welcome trial lawyer and former Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Timothy P. Crudo to the firm. Crudo will head the firm’s White Collar Defense and Government Enforcement Practice. Prior to joining Coblentz, Crudo was a partner in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins. From 2003-2009, he served as an AUSA in the Securities Fraud Section of the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. In the final year of his tenure there, Crudo was Chief of the Securities Fraud Section. His practice currently focuses on representing companies and individuals in a range of industries in investigations and cases brought by criminal prosecutors, government regulators, and shareholders in white collar, securities, and corporate governance matters. Crudo also defends clients in trade regulation, unfair competition, and other complex business and civil cases brought by regulators, consumers, and competitors.
Click here to read the press release.
By Sarah Drinkwater, Supervising Attorney, Tax Project – originally published in The BASF Bulletin, February 2014.
The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) is pleased to recognize Coblentz partner Jeffry Bernstein as their volunteer of the month for his work with JDC’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). Jeff has volunteered with JDC since 2000, and since 2009 has represented or advised taxpayers on over 30 cases. He is driven to volunteer because he enjoys helping individuals navigate the complexities of the United States tax system and providing them comfort during such a stressful time. For example, Jeff represented a low-income taxpayer who routinely had to travel to Alaska for work. The IRS had disallowed his business expenses, resulting in a large tax liability and the taxpayer had petitioned the tax court to dispute the assessment. As a result of Jeff’s representation, the IRS allowed the deductions, resolving 100 percent of the tax liability.
Jeff chairs Coblentz’s tax department and through his leadership, the firm regularly accepts full-scope cases on behalf of low income taxpayers. Coblentz is also a strong supporter of other JDC projects and the Right to Civil Counsel Pilot Program. Jeff is a native of Queens, New York, but has lived in the Bay Area since 1977. When not practicing law, he “loves being outdoors, even though lawyers spend so much time inside.”
