The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is in discussions to settle its civil case against Dewey & LeBoeuf executive Joel Sanders, who was convicted in May of scheming to defraud investors in his former firm, court documents show.

The SEC wrote to Southern District Judge Valerie Caproni on Tuesday, indicating the possible deal with Sanders. SEC attorney Howard Fischer's letter said a “negotiated resolution” would avoid the expense of litigation, and Sanders believes “the prospects of reaching any early resolution are greater than the threat of re-initiating litigation.”

The SEC filed a civil suit in 2014 at the same time criminal charges were announced against Dewey executives Steven Davis, Stephen DiCarmine and Sanders, alleging they fraudulently concealed the firm's precarious finances ahead of its collapse. The SEC suit, alleging the executives and others facilitated a $150 million fraudulent bond offering using phony financial figures, has been stayed during the criminal case.