James S. Dittmar

Mr. Dittmar represents financial service fiduciaries, issuers of securities, directors, officers and trustees, investment advisers, investment banks, broker dealers, and professionals such as lawyers and consultants. In the current legal environment, he represents investment advisers, investment companies and investment company directors and trustees in litigation and in regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings involving market timing; challenges to fiduciary fees; challenges to mutual fund distribution practices; charges of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and failure to supervise under securities laws; and disputes arising out of business transactions involving investment fiduciaries. In the current legal environment, a substantial portion of Mr. Dittmar’s practice also entails representation of ERISA plan service providers in civil litigation and regulatory investigations relating to the discharge of fiduciary duties.

Mr. Dittmar has tried numerous cases in federal and state courts and in arbitration and administrative proceedings. He has tried cases involving claims by and against investment fiduciaries; claims under securities laws; claims concerning ownership and control of business organizations; claims based upon contractual and fiduciary obligations arising out of corporate office, partnership and joint venture arrangements; claims seeking compensation of business brokers and finders; and claims arising from business transactions.

In addition to his focus on securities, capital markets and financial services lawsuits, Mr. Dittmar has a highly diverse litigation practice. He has litigated intellectual property rights, including patent infringement, trade secret, copyright and trademark claims involving such industries as medical devices, software, wireless telephone service, fluid purification and publishing. In addition, he has litigated claims under both federal and state antitrust laws and state consumer protection and unfair business practice laws. His trial practice has also included commercial disputes, environmental claims, employment relations and restrictive covenant disputes, and personal actions under wrongful death, competency and civil rights laws.

In addition, Mr. Dittmar handles special counsel engagements, advising corporate directors in cases involving internal investigations, settlement of claims against corporate affiliates, interested party transactions, critical personnel actions and extraordinary transactions in corporate organization or assets.