Few attorneys get to design a federal program and then use it to help clients. Jordan Thomas did exactly that. Before becoming a SEC whistleblower attorney representing corporate insiders, he served as Assistant Director in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division. He played a principal architect role in developing the SEC whistleblower program under the Dodd-Frank Act. SEC Whistleblower Advocates opened in 2011 as the nation’s first practice focused exclusively on federal securities laws violations.
From Government Service to Private Practice
Thomas spent years prosecuting securities fraud at the SEC office. He led fact-finding visits to other agencies with whistleblower programs. He helped draft proposed legislation and implementing rules. House and Senate staff received briefings on the framework. Federal whistleblower laws needed someone who understood both policy and practice.
The SEC assigned Thomas to high-profile enforcement actions. Cases involved Enron, Fannie Mae, UBS, and Citigroup. His work on successful SEC enforcement action resulted in over $35 billion in monetary sanctions and relief for harmed investors. Former colleagues still work inside the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.
Before joining the exchange commission, Thomas prosecuted complex financial services litigation at the Department of Justice. He specialized in cases involving the FDIC and Office of Thrift Supervision. His legal career began as a Navy Judge Advocate on active duty. He retired as a Captain from the Reserve Law Program.
Building a Practice on Insider Knowledge
SEC whistleblower lawyers with government backgrounds understand how regulatory authorities evaluate tips. Thomas knows what the SEC staff looks for during vetting. He understands which details matter most. Relationships across every SEC office inform strategy.
The whistleblower law firm accepts fewer than 12 cases annually. Selectivity allows concentrated resources on significant matters. Richard Levine joined after 30 years at the SEC. He served as Associate General Counsel for Legal Policy. His team reviewed all proposed enforcement actions and SEC whistleblower rewards applications.
Robert Wilson has over 20 years investigating securities violations. He served as Deputy Assistant Director and Branch Chief. The legal team collectively led more than 500 enforcement actions. No other practice matches that government prosecutorial experience.
Record-Breaking Results for SEC Whistleblower Clients
Clients represented by the firm earned the largest single-case SEC whistleblower award in history. The monetary award totaled more than $83 million for reporting misconduct at Merrill Lynch. The tip led to a $415 million settlement with the exchange commission.
Total monetary sanctions collected by the SEC from client tips exceed $1 billion. Monies collected from successful enforcement action generate whistleblower rewards ranging from 10 to 30 percent. Awards have reached hundreds of millions for clients.
Thomas successfully represented the first officer of a public company to win an SEC whistleblower award. Another client became the first SEC whistleblower to receive criminal immunity. A landmark case marked the first time a SEC whistleblower received an award because his employer retaliated against him.
Understanding Complex Securities Laws
Federal securities laws span over 85 years of accumulated statutes. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act added corporate accountability standards. SEC rules fill thousands of pages. Regulatory violations require specific knowledge to identify and document properly.
Corporate insiders at publicly traded companies witness possible violations daily. Senior executives sometimes engage in market manipulation. Financial fraud through Ponzi schemes destroys investor savings. Unauthorized trading occurs at major Wall Street firms. Investment fraud and fraudulent schemes cost billions.
Eligible whistleblowers must possess original information about securities violations. The SEC relies on tips from employees with direct knowledge. Internal reporting sometimes precedes external submissions. Companies should investigate and self-correct. Problems arise when reporting internally triggers retaliation.
Protection Against Whistleblower Retaliation Claims
Federal securities law violations often lead to whistleblower retaliation claims. Companies cannot legally punish employees who submit information to regulatory authorities. Whistleblower rights include protection from firing, demotion, or harassment. Double back pay and reinstatement remedy violations.
Legal representation helps navigate retaliation situations. The firm has experience with cases where companies violated whistleblower protections. Federal court proceedings hold employers accountable. The Dodd-Frank Act and Sarbanes Oxley Act provide legal remedies.
Working With International Clients
International clients report securities violations occurring worldwide. Foreign officials sometimes demand bribes from American companies. Fraudulent schemes cross borders. The firm coordinates with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other law enforcement when violations span multiple jurisdictions.
Eligible whistleblowers can remain anonymous during investigations. Confidential consultation protects identities. Thomas offers secure communication through encrypted applications like Signal and Telegram. Anonymity is maintained throughout the whistleblower program process.
How Cases Get Developed
World-class research teams support every submission. Leading industry experts consult on technical matters. Analysts examine whether potential violations meet program requirements. Months of preparation precede filing.
The SEC office receives over 20,000 tips annually. Only about 2,000 investigations get opened. Strong submissions require specific evidence of legal violations. Vague allegations get dismissed. Former prosecutors know what information the SEC staff needs.
Cases take two to four years from tip to award. Investigations involve witness interviews and document subpoenas. Settlements get negotiated. Federal court approves agreements. Award applications get processed after enforcement actions conclude.
Contingency Fee Arrangements
The practice works on a contingency fee basis. SEC whistleblower clients pay nothing upfront. Attorney fees come only from eventual whistleblower rewards. Excessive fees never surprise clients. Costs get disclosed fully before representation begins.
Support continues throughout multi-year investigations. Attorneys remain available around the clock. Regular updates keep clients informed. Questions get answered promptly. Legal representation extends from initial consultation through final award payment.
Media Recognition and Professional Honors
National media outlets have profiled Thomas’s work. The New Yorker featured his practice. The New York Times published articles about cases. NPR interviewed him about the whistleblower program. Recognition validates the approach.
Professional organizations have honored his contributions. The Taxpayers Against Fraud Educational Fund named him “Lawyer of the Year” in 2018. The National Law Journal recognized him as a “Plaintiff Trailblazer.” Law360 named him an “MVP in Securities Law.” The New York Law Journal designated him a “Distinguished Leader.”
Martindale-Hubbell awarded its AV Preeminent Attorney rating for 2022-2024. Lawdragon named him among 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers. Benchmark Litigation shortlisted him for Plaintiff Attorney of the Year. Securities Docket included him in the “Enforcement 40.”
Protecting Those Who Protect Investors
The SEC whistleblower program transformed how securities fraud is detected. Corporate insiders now have a financial incentive to report wrongdoing. Whistleblower awards create accountability. Companies face consequences for securities violations.
Choosing legal representation affects outcomes significantly. Former government prosecutors understand the evaluation process. Decades of experience prosecuting federal securities laws violations inform case strategy. Working with an SEC whistleblower attorney who helped build the program provides unique advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a SEC whistleblower law firm with former government prosecutors different from general practice firms?
A SEC whistleblower law firm staffed by former Securities and Exchange Commission prosecutors understands exactly how the agency evaluates tips, has relationships across enforcement offices, and knows which evidence matters most during the vetting process.
Why would someone choose a SEC whistleblower attorney who helped design the program?
A SEC whistleblower attorney who served as principal architect of the program brings insider knowledge of SEC rules, evaluation criteria, and enforcement priorities that law firm attorneys without government backgrounds cannot replicate.
